Common council approved the demolition of the building at 123 Main Street in September 2020.
Saint John is looking to improve its Dangerous and Vacant Building Program.
The program monitors around 150 buildings throughout the city and designates dangerous buildings that have been deemed a public safety hazard for demolition.
Properties are assessed a priority matrix which determines whether they need to be torn down, or can remain in the hopes of future rehabilitation.
City staff are considering two changes to the process which they hope would improve the quality of vacant buildings in the city, and speed up the rehabilitation process.
The first change would see a set of criteria established for developers applying for an extension to a building that is set to be demolished.
These criteria would include the developer’s ownership status, a comprehensive redevelopment schedule, demonstrating knowledge of the city’s real estate market, prior experience in similar scale projects, and the ability to obtain financing for the renovations.
Benn Purinton is the manager of the Vacant Building Program. He told the city’s Growth Committee Tuesday that it’s a matter of public safety to speed up the process when determining the fate of vacant buildings.
“When these extensions have been provided in the past, the rate of success was low and this is problematic as the buildings have illustrated they are a clear hazard to public safety,” Purinton said.
Developers would need to satisfy at least four of the five criteria to be considered for an extension.
The second change to the program would see city staff compile a list of available developers which can be provided to the owners of vacant buildings who don’t wish to see renovations through.
Mayor Don Darling said in his time with the city he believes they’ve seen big improvements in the quality of the many vacant buildings across Saint John.
“We’ve moved from the level of incredibly serious cases to now better stock, better supply,” the mayor said. “I think we were at 50-60 per cent of buildings being rehabilitated, and I think we could actually increase that now.”
“That’s what certainly the most engaged and passionate Saint Johners that I’ve heard from want.”
Councillor John MacKenzie also praised the program, which he said should speed up the rehabilitation process.
“There’s always been a perception out there that it takes us so long to get to that point,” MacKenzie said. “But the developer notification will address a lot of that. Instead of taking us five to seven years, we could have a property change hands in a couple years and look good within three or four years. I think it’s great.”
