Tear down Cromdale: mayor
But getting rid of city eyesore and crime magnet is easier said than done, caution officials
April 23, 2009 - Edmonton Sun
By FRANK LANDRY, CITY HALL BUREAU
A shuttered hotel described as "structural vomit" and a magnet for drug dealers, prostitutes and gang members should be bulldozed, says a frustrated Mayor Stephen Mandel.
"People are getting inside. Drug deals are happening outside," the mayor said, referring to the Cromdale Hotel, 8115 118 Ave.
The hotel was built in 1954 and closed in 2004 after being declared unfit for human habitation.
Mandel suggested it be torn down by the city if necessary, and the owner billed.
"In my mind this is not a complicated issue. Just do it."
But David Aitken, director of the city's complaints and investigations section, said tearing down a privately owned building is not a simple task.
Safety codes officers inspected the building and could not find any structural deficiencies.
And reports of unauthorized access have not been confirmed, states a report to council.
Another investigation is going on, Aitken said, dealing with potential violations under the city's community standards bylaw.
In extreme cases - where a derelict building is found to be a detriment to the community - Aitken said a demolition order can be issued. The owner of the building was not present at the meeting.
Const. Andrew Larson, a community liaison officer with the Edmonton Police Service, described the Cromdale as "structural vomit."
"Besides being incredibly unpleasing to look at, it's been a target for vandalism, graffiti and general crime and disorder," Larson told the executive committee of council.
Police have responded to 90 incidents at the former hotel since the beginning of last year, spending more than 100 hours on the calls, according to police figures.
Larson said he's personally responded to reports of addicts smoking drugs behind the building, people living in cars in the parking lot and johns having sex with prostitutes on the property.
"It's become a hallmark on the avenue for all the wrong reasons," said Joe Holtz, executive director of the Alberta Avenue Business Association.
Area resident Christy Morin said she fears walking by the "decaying and dying" building.
The executive committee of council asked administration to report back on the status of the building in the near future.
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http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Edmonton/2009/04/23/pf-9214081.html
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