City Council reluctantly agreed to a 30-day stay of demolition against the old Arrowview Hotel, but the owner says he needs more.
Port Alberni Mayor Sharie Minions said while council would have preferred the building have been demolished months ago, they are trying everything possible to save city taxpayers more than $600,000 in costs.
“At about $450,000 for the contract, then an additional $150,000 of work that needs to be done, we want to make sure that if the taxpayers fund that, then it’s an absolute last resort,” she said.
Council approved a demolition order in April, and approved a $435,000 contract to Bowerman’s Excavating in July to tear it down.
Arrowview owner Raymond Latourneau was supposed to appear before council yesterday, but sent in a letter instead, saying it’s impossible to sell the building with a half-million-dollar demolition order hanging over it, and negative media reports.
He said he would need a 75-day window and no financial barriers in order to save the building, and with no prospect of selling it, he’s preparing to pursue legal action against the city.
