.jpg)
Derelict house demolished as part of Portage la Prairie's safety initiative
Last week, a derelict house on 7th St. SW in Portage la Prairie was demolished. It marks the first of, hopefully, no more demolitions following the city's crackdown on properties that drive down the safety and value of neighbourhoods.
Councillor Colin Doyle explained the house had been damaged by fire and remained in poor condition for quite some time.
“There was often a lengthy legal process involved. It was attracting illegal activity. The legal owner was not addressing concerns in a timely manner. In these situations, we, as a city, had to take action for the greater good of our community, under our new bylaw. Even with the bylaw in place, we always hope to deal proactively with property owners. But when action is required and they’re not taking it, the bylaw gives the city the power to intervene,” Doyle said.
He added that notices have been sent to owners of similar properties. Doyle reiterated the bylaw's purpose.
“We introduced the bylaw in June to address vacant and derelict properties because they pose safety risks and impact the quality of our neighbourhoods. Since its implementation, our administration has been actively working to inform property owners about their responsibilities. We've reached out to some and provided guidance. Our ultimate goal is to collaborate with homeowners. We don’t want to tear these properties down unless it’s necessary. That's our last line of defense.”
He stressed that the city's priority is to work proactively with property owners.
Doyle noted there are about 25 to 30 derelict properties in the city, some owned by the same individual.
“These are definitely the ones we want to focus on. If one person owns multiple derelict properties in the city, we need to ensure they’re addressed and not forgotten.”
He emphasized that while the city aims to support property owners, public safety is the primary concern.
“We're committed to working with everyone, but the safety and appearance of our neighbourhoods are vital. Derelict properties bring down the value of neighbouring homes and increase safety risks. Vacant houses can attract illegal activities, like drug use, and there are various other dangers associated with unattended properties.”
Doyle added that eliminating these houses aligns with the city’s strategic plan, which aims to beautify the community.
“If anyone lives next to one of these houses, they know it doesn’t improve the look of their neighbourhood. We're trying to take a more proactive approach to address that."