The Growth Committee has been told construction during the first quarter of the year in the city is strong with the total construction value of building permits exceeding $45 million. That represents a 365 per cent increase over the same period last year. $35 million of that total is the Irving Oil headquarters building and parking lot that’s being constructed on Elliot Row.
The city’s Building Inspector Amy Poffenroth says a pilot project is being launched to clean up unsightly properties which are seen as a disincentive to growth. Owners of properties considered unsightly will be contacted but as a last resort tickets will be issued to those property owners who fail to comply voluntarily.
Common Councillor Gerry Lowe says in his travels around town, he sees too many unsightly properties.
City Manager Jeff Trail says the new initiative is all about pride of place and raising the bar.
