Heritage building or just decrepit? Dawson City residents urge town to crack down on neglected properties

Dawson City, Yukon, is known for its historical, old-style buildings, some of them dating to the Klondike Gold Rush.

But some local residents say many of the town's older buildings are simply run-down and neglected — and they want the town to do something about them.

That includes the town's former post office. Located on Fifth Avenue, the abandoned building, once full of life, now casts a shadow over the Robert Service School which sits across the street.

Long-time Dawson resident Susan Hermann said it's one of many buildings around the town that is becoming an eyesore.

"The windows are busted out," Hermann said. "The roof's fallen in, and there glass all over the place."

The owner of the former post office building could not be reached for comment.

Another older building located beside the town's old post office on Fifth Avenue in Dawson City. (Chris MacIntyre/CBC)

Hermann said she's been quite vocal about the derelict buildings around town, and the lack of attention the city seems to be giving them.

Hermann said she attended a public council meeting in 2011 to talk about some of the town's neglected properties — such as the old post office and Canadian Bank of Commerce building on Front Street — and whether they should be considered heritage buildings. She said at the time, council said those buildings would be dealt with.

She said it's now 2024 and it seems little has been done.

Hermann said it's a shame that the city is struggling to provide housing options for people, while so many buildings and lots are being left to rot away.

"They're screaming for land all of the time," Hermann said. "'Oh, we need housing, we need housing.' There's so many lots with derelict buildings on them that are unusable, lots full of garbage. Clean them up. Utilize them for your housing needs that you're screaming about that we don't have in this town."

'Buildings have to be kept up to a certain standard'

Dave Henderson, the town's chief administrative officer, said if anyone has a concern about a property, or property owner who may be violating the town's bylaws — such as the property maintenance and nuisance abatement bylaw — then it's up to them to report it to the bylaw officer, or to Henderson directly.

"Buildings have to be kept up to a certain standard," he said. "That's one bylaw that we use to try and address egregious property issues."

Henderson said there are a number of properties in town currently being looked at under the bylaw.

"Our bylaw officer writes up an enforcement notice," he said. "They send it off to the property owner."

The old Klondike Motors building at the intersection of Queen Street and Third Avenue in Dawson City, Yukon. (Chris MacIntyre/CBC)

"Sometimes they respond quickly. Sometimes property owners don't respond quickly. When they don't respond it can take awhile because we send the letter, and it comes back. Then we go forward with an enforcement order where the city actually takes corrective action and charges it to the property on their property tax."

Henderson said the city's bylaw officer can only investigate and enforce bylaws when an infraction is reported by a member of the public.

'People need to put time and energy into these buildings'

The town's mayor says it's a shame to see buildings that were once vibrant staples in the community fall into disrepair.

"People need to put time and energy into these buildings," said Mayor Bill Kendrick. "And if they're not going to, then that's something the city has got to tackle."

Kendrick said the longer a building sits in disrepair the more expensive it will be to fix. He said that's why the city needs to act sooner than later.

An old house on Third Avenue in Dawson City. (Chris MacIntyre/CBC)

He says the city will be reviewing its official community plan over the next year, which includes the town's zoning bylaws and heritage management plan.

"It is an opportunity for the residents of our town to weigh in," he said. "You know, try and come up with a way to stick-handle the issues of decrepit or derelict buildings and their potential — or their lack of potential."