Problem Property Initiative News

Mar. 2024

Issue #2

Greetings from Edmonton's Problem Property Initiative (PPI). This issue of our newsletter highlights how the PPI is promoting safe spaces and a healthy city through the demolition of derelict buildings. The different regulations and enforcement approaches of the PPI's partners create multiple pathways to the demolition of these neglected, unsafe places.

Thank you for reading.

Problem property demolitions improve community safety and vibrancy

[Transforming Edmonton, Jan 26, 2024]

In fall 2023, Kelsey Martin and her City of Edmonton teammates helped to demolish several unsafe structures across Edmonton.

She works as a Municipal Enforcement Officer and is a member of the Problem Properties Team (PPT), which is dedicated primarily to the neighbourhoods most affected by problem properties.

"Neglected, vacant buildings are much more than eyesores in Edmonton neighbourhoods," says Martin. “They can be a serious public health risk and a burden on emergency services. They can also attract criminal activity.”

According to Edmonton Fire Rescue Services, fires in unsecured vacant properties are a leading risk to the safety of firefighters and the community at large.

“Our team works very closely with Fire Prevention Officers to secure as many vacant structures as possible,” says Martin. “But sometimes it’s better for everyone if a structure is demolished.”

The establishment of the PPT has led to increased orders and tickets issued at problem properties, resulting in a substantial number of unsafe, vacant properties being demolished by their owners.

However, where owners continue to neglect their properties, the PPT turns to other measures, including coordinating the demolition of smaller structures, such as garages that are in extreme states of disrepair.

This work is part of Edmonton's Problem Property Initiative. In December 2022, City Council approved permanent funding to implement the City's long-term strategy to address properties that cause frequent and serious safety concerns and complaints to the City.

“Our team issues enforcement orders and tickets for a variety of nuisance conditions at problem properties,” says Martin. “But we’ve demolished these particular structures because of their danger to public safety. They were previously damaged by fire and were structurally unsound. By removing them, we’ve eliminated multiple safety risks, including the risk of future fire.”

Garage demolitions in Alberta Avenue, Boyle Street, and Strathcona have each involved the removal of up to 20 thousand kilograms of debris, followed by the leveling of the sites to the required grade.

“This is new work for our team. It began for us last fall, and the mild start to winter allowed us to get several structures demolished. Now that we have the experience, we expect the work to ramp up significantly in 2024. We already have several more structures identified for demolition in the spring.”

Vacant buildings that are identified as problem properties are monitored to ensure that they are secure and inaccessible to the public. When conditions present a risk to public safety, fencing and 24-hour security can also be ordered at the property owner’s expense.

In all cases where the Problem Property Initiative facilitates the demolition of unsafe buildings, the costs incurred by the City are transferred to the property owner.

Two members of the Problem Properties Team in front of a clean up in progress.

A demolition of a garage in Alberta Avenue in progress.

Before and after images of a demolition coordinated by PPT in Alberta Avenue.

Before and after images of a demolition coordinated by PPT in Boyle Street.

Before and after images of a demolition coordinated by PPT in Strathcona.

Edmonton's Problem Property Initiative expands derelict building demolitions

Residents of a central Edmonton community say they are feeling safer now that a long-standing derelict property has been demolished and the lot cleared of debris, thanks to Edmonton’s Problem Property Initiative (PPI).

Jeremiah Valleau has lived next to the property, located in Parkdale, since 2015. “The house was always derelict and falling apart and it just got worse and worse,” he said.

“The roof caved in, and, for whatever reason, no-one was willing to take care of the property. Living next to it, I noticed myself feeling a lot of anxiety. Fire was always a big fear. I was always worried about someone starting a fire. It was two metres away from my house and the main exit for my basement renters.”

Demolition of the derelict home, which included removing the structure, cleaning debris and returning the property to level grade, took crews approximately one week.

John Bale led the PPI’s demolition project team for the City of Edmonton. He says their work is all about engaging with communities and keeping neighborhoods safe.

“Our primary focus is on public safety and the well-being of communities,” says Bale, who is the City’s Operational Supervisor of Safety Codes Compliance. “Derelict properties are very unsafe structurally, but they also attract unwanted activity like illegal dumping and squatting which can lead to fire-related issues.”

The PPI coordinates the efforts of multiple City departments, the Edmonton Police Service, Alberta Health Services, and the Government of Alberta to address the issues associated with problem properties. Each organization brings different regulations and enforcement approaches to the PPI’s teams.

One key team, the Demolition Assessment and Response Committee (DARC), is leading the City’s approach to the demolition of larger unsafe structures.

DARC combines the regulations and enforcement approaches of four different City areas: Community Standards & Neighbourhoods, Fire Rescue Services, Legal Services, and Safety Codes. The committee identifies and prioritizes properties for demolition and uses the most effective legislation available to expedite demolitions where required.

The recent demolition in Parkdale was DARC’s first large-scale project. The property had caused considerable concern for neighbours, repeated calls for service, and had been dealt with by various PPI partners for several years. Ultimately, it was identified by DARC as unsafe to the surrounding community.

In December 2023, DARC—led by Safety Codes officers—demolished the house and backfilled the basement with dirt.

After years of living next to the derelict home, residents like Jeremiah Valleau are happy that something could finally be done.

“For a long time it felt like the City wasn’t able to do anything about these properties,” he said. “It’s good to know that’s changed. And it’s good to know someone’s listening. The demolition company did a good job. Everyone in the neighbourhood was so happy to see the fences go up and the house come down. It was a glorious day. It was a joy to watch it come down.”

The front of a problem property in Parkdale that was demolished in December 2023.

The back of the derelict property in Parkdale.

After DARC demolished the problem property, the basement was backfilled with dirt.

Before and after images of the demolition coordinated by DARC in Parkdale.

Resources and contacts

To learn more about the Problem Property Initiative and its teams visit edmonton.ca/problemproperties.
To report a problem property call 311, contact 311 online, or use the confidential reporting form at edmonton.ca/problemproperties.
To report an unsecured vacant property call 311 or email [email protected].
For general inquiries or to engage directly with the Problem Property Initiative email [email protected].