An example of how closed, boarded up businesses can impose a safety and security issue for residents of Rosser Ward can be found at the corner of Rosser Avenue and Fourth Street. This former service station is perennially on the city tax arrears list, but the owners have again this year just paid enough to avoid a tax sale. The city is dotted with these brown field properties that are difficult for owners to dispose of, as they will usually require an expensive soil decontamination process. But still, this corner in Rosser Ward has stood for many years as a symbol of the citys lack of respect for the downtown area and also turning a deaf ear to nearby citizens complaints. During the day, you can see Kiwanis Court Westman across the street from the abandoned service station. The building provides housing for low-income individuals and families that is ergonomically accommodating for disabled individuals. After meeting with this politically engaged group of residents, I learned that not only is the abandoned service station an eyesore, but it attracts a criminal element after dark. Just look how dark the block gets when the sun goes down. Thats a very scary scene for anyone to have to pass by, let alone somebody with mobility issues. The city must get more aggressive in dealing with these abandoned, or long-time boarded-up commercial properties. The property owners - often who live elsewhere in the province or across Canada have to get the message that Brandon is cleaning up its downtown and we arent going to let empty commercial buildings just sit dormant indefinitely.
Posted on: Sat, 18 Oct 2014 13:56:29 +0000
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