Businesses raise concerns with empty lot in downtown Edmonton

For years, one lot along 102 Avenue between 101 Street and Rice Howard Way has sat vacant.

The former Bank of Montreal building was demolished seven years ago, and nearby businesses say since then, they’ve seen an increase in safety and security concerns.

“It’s an eyesore completely,” said Rhonda Sveahun, the co-owner of Paull Travel.

Sveahun is used to seeing emergency crews called to the lot.

“With looks like that, it tends to draw potential for crime and for people to hang around, and it’s just uneasy. It makes us feel uneasy.”

The property owner admits there have been recent break-ins, with people trying to live on the lot, but Regency Developments says while the lot is vacant, it’s not forgotten, having added $300,000 in security and maintenance since the demolition.

“We put up banners probably to make it look nicer for six times now, and each time it costs about twenty grand. And every single time within the few days, the banners were shredded or gratified or ripped apart,” said Raj Dhunna, the COO of Regency Developments.

But it is not just safety; those nearby want to see the space used for something.

“They could’ve at least cleaned it up and used it as a parking space since parking is always tough,” said Paull.

The city is working with the property owners, wanting to see the lot cleaned up, noting there is a dispute over a tax rebate given to the company for demolition because the basement was never demolished.

“But the property owners says there were concerns over the lots structural integrity if they got rid of the basement […] Saying the bigges issue is finding someone wanting to pay to devlop the lot,” said Anne Stevenson.

Dhunna adds, “Nobody is interested, because there is no demand for office, there’s no demand for residential, there’s no demand for anything downtown given the state of our downtown.”