I could see this coming years ago (and here and here). Another example of Thunder Bay’s historical buildings disappearing due to neglect. Not caring. Not giving a damn. This is very sad and frustrating to no end.
Places like the Lyceum are privately owned, which makes it difficult for the city to do anything about abandoned buildings
This is the only defense City Hall has as it has allowed another piece of Thunder Bay’s history to disappear? Saving it was difficult?
The City of Thunder Bay is all over a property owner if their grass is too long or their fence is too high but can do nothing if a building on that property is not being properly maintained? Its too difficult?
Difficult? It appears the city has a problem with difficult. Oooooooo its soooo hhhhard! Bunch of f***ing whiners. City of Thunder By 101: If its difficult, ignore it. Maybe it will go away.
This building has been in demolition mode for years. YEARS! So why are they acting now? Its because the Empire Hotel spontaneously collapsed. That’s why. No other reason. City Hall is now in total protection mode.
We have to protect our phoney baloney jobs here, gentlemen! We must do something about this immediately! Immediately! Immediately! Harrumph! Harrumph! Harrumph! – Governor William J. Le Petomane, Blazing Saddles
If the City of Thunder By really cared about public safety or neighbouring property values, it would and could have acted years ago. Maybe even before the building reached the point of no return.
There is little left of our City’s historical past that is not a church. Soon there will be nothing.
Difficult for the city to do anything about abandoned buildings? No. Difficult for the city to do anything about anything? Yes. (except Prince Arthur’s Landing…City of Thunder Bay has no problem spending investing time and money down there)
City of Thunder Bay gross budget totals $418.1 million comprised of $356.3 million for tax supported operations and $61.8 million for rate supported
I do not feel I am getting anywhere close to fair value for all that money. The loss of another century building just underlines that fact.
How did Thunder Bay get the city management it now has? Does the rampant short-sightness and incompetence of the city’s politicians and management have anything to with the city’s geographical isolation?
Corruption and chronic incompetence on a municipal level always seems to thrive in an environment of isolation and lack of oversight from Queens Park.
In any case, I know from having all my family down South that Queen’s Park now refers to this city sarcastically as, “The Mistake on the Lake.”
I also know that when my long-time buddy from childhood wanted the large company he runs to to start a branch office in Thunder Bay, I advised him to go to North Bay instead.
The biggest favor that this city’s ruling economic oligarchs and city management (including the politicians) could do is just go. They’re this place’s biggest liability.
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