Petition calls for demolition of old Summerside school

Brian MacDonald of Summersidehas started an online petition to get a vacant school in the city demolished.

Frustration is growing over the building in the heart of the city's business district.APM purchased the former Holland College building 12 years ago, and since then there have been many plans for the building, but none have materialized.

"Within 24 hours we had up over 100 signatures and people right from Florida and lots of parts around the world,tourists mainly,that come here and they all say the same thingit's an eyesore, it's disgusting looking," said MacDonald.

As of late afternoon Thursdaythe petition hadjust over 500 names.

If APM won't demolish the building,MacDonald saidthe city should do it and send the owner the bill.

Property safe and secured says owner

MacDonald said he drives by the building every day on his way to work, andworriesitposes a safety risk for first responders who may have to enter the building.

Tim Banks, the CEO of APM, says his company hasbeen trying to develop the property. He said part of the problem is an asbestos roof liner which makes demolishing the building expensive. He said he's also offered it to the City of Summerside.

"We continue to be stymied by the existing building structure," Banks said in an interview with CBC News earlier this week.

He saidthe property isfenced off and the building is boarded up.

"The property, in our opinion, is safe, secured and I'm sure someday we'll come up with a solution for it."

The issue went before Summerside city council Tuesday night.

Councillors saidthey will reach out to Banks for a meeting. They are also reviewing research on possible tax hikes for vacant properties as a way to encourage owners to develop their properties a move that has been discussed over the years.

Council also called on its chief administrative officer to look at what legal options they may have to force the companyto do something with the property.

Banks said he'd be prepared to sit down with the city to discuss a possible new use for the building.

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