City Hall to demolish over two dozen derelict buildings

City Hall is moving to demolish derelict buildings around the capital that are not only a threat to life but also pose serious fire hazards, says spokesman Royston King.

“We are very worried,” King told Stabroek News, while noting the recent fire that broke out in one Lombard Street structure that was due for demolition.

He added that the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has contacted some of the owners about demolishing the buildings, while others cannot be located.

One of the buildings due for demolition by the city is this one at La Penitence Public Road, which once housed a Chinese restaurant.

“We are moving to take them down because the core of our mandate of the council is to ensure the integrity of the city, provided that it should be a clean, safe and healthy city. Therefore, we need to remove those things that pose a threat to the safety and health of citizens,” he noted.

King said that demolition will begin in another week or two.

The buildings that will be targeted in the exercise were identified based on inspections done in 2009 and 2010.

This building at High Street, Charlestown is among several derelict buildings that the city has identified for demolition.

Among the derelict buildings identified in 2009 are: Lot 71 Robb Street, Bourda, Georgetown; Lot 49 Barrack and High streets, Kingston, Georgetown; Lot 46 Norton Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown; Lot 62 Princes Street, Lodge Georgetown; Lot 19 George Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown; Lot 9 Company Path, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown; Lombard and Broad streets, Georgetown; and Lot 9 La Penitence Public Road, Georgetown.

Those listed after inspections in 2010 include: Lombard and Broad streets, Georgetown; Lot 11 W ½ North Road; Lot 16 High Street, Charlestown, Georgetown; Lot 18 Lombard Street, Charlestown, Georgetown; Lot 132 Fifth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown; Lot 94 Waterloo Street, Lacytown, Georgetown; Lot 194 Light and Sixth streets, Alberttown, Georgetown; Lot 84 Waterloo Street, Lacytown, Georgetown; Lot E ½ of S ½ 90 Carmichael Street, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown; Lot 11 W ½ North Road, Bourda, Georgetown; Lot 3 ‘D’ Middleton Street, Campbellville, Georgetown; Lot 16 High Street, Charlestown, Georgetown; Lot 19 George Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown; Lot 195 Quamina Street, Georgetown; and Lot 149 Light and Sixth streets, Alberttown, Georgetown.