The Shannondale (née Electrohome, 152 Shanley St) | 8 fl | U/C

[jeffster]

Was there anything that Kitchener could have done differently to prevent this from happening? Property tax rules are provincial, right? What about allowing buildings to get to this state of disrepair? Who sets those laws?

I still want to know why expropriation wouldn’t work. I’m pretty sure back taxes have to be paid out of the proceeds of any property transfer, so presumably it would just be an administrative action involving no transfer of money (assuming the taxes exceed the property value).

I am pretty sure the city doesn't want to pay for clean-up, let alone buy it from the dead-beat owner. They already know that it's a huge expense + the "Save the Clock Tower" people who will balk at anything less than full remediation of property.

This truly is a no-win situation for the city. The current owner won't fix it. The owner will get behind on property taxes again, obviously.

I am guessing in the not too distant future, major water damage it going to occur, OR, it will burn to the ground. One of the two.