Residents and property owners near Second Street Southeast are wanting more to be done about abandonded properties in their neighborhood and the North Railway area (Derek Brade/ CHATNewsToday)

By Tiffany Goodwein

Derelict properties need to be dealt with says business owner

Oct 29, 2021 | 6:42 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB- A local business owner is urging the city to do more about vacant properties.

Lawton Wong is the owner of IGA Foodland on Maple Avenue. He said the issue of derelict, or vacant properties has been ongoing the past 10 years, and he wants something to be done or else it will continue to impact business attraction because the area looks so run down.

“Nothing has ever really been done to improve the area, whether it be the city or with landowners for that matter. I mean I think the last attempt they have been doing is the Waterfront District through Invest Medicine Hat but to me, it is just trying to convince people that this area wouldn’t be bad to do business in but that is a really hard concept to get across to people because of the way it looks at this point and time,” he said.

One property near Wong, which has been an eyesore for years is on 739 Second Street. Windows and doors are boarded up, and thick, long weeds are what remains for greenery.

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Nearby residents and business owners who did not want to appear on camera said the home has housed squatters in the past, and at times the property has been the site of illegal drug activity.

City Bylaw confirmed the property has a history but would not divulge if any fines have been levied.

According to Colin Heyens, a community peace officer. The city does not have a specific bylaw relating to abandoned properties. Instead, bylaw relies on issue orders that fall under the Municipal Government Act. Under that legislation, property owners can face a $500 fine for failing to obey an unsightly property order. They are also held responsible for the cost of clean-up.

But Heyens said if the property owner does not live in the city, that can often hamper the speed of enforcement. Organizing a clean-up according to Heyens can take one to two months alone.

The house in question recently became the property of the bank, according to a title search, which is adding to the time it takes for enforcement action to occur. That’s because the enforcement process has to start over again because of the new ownership. But Heyens said typically when a bank takes possession, the process is faster, as they are looking to sell the property, and get the money that is owed.

Still, Wong said derelict properties have an impact on surrounding businesses, and he hopes something more concrete will come into play, that would hold property owners more accountable.