Minister of Housing and Urban Renewal, the Hon. Keith Bell voiced concern about the amount of liquor stores, derelict vehicles and dilapidated properties within a small surveyed area during his contribution to the 2025-2026 budget in the House Of Assembly on Tuesday.
He said, “in one inner city corridor, just over 2000 feet long, Urban Renewal identified 55 derelict vehicles and 33 dilapidated or abandoned structures, that’s one abandoned structure every 60 feet. In another equally short stretch 54 derelict vehicles, 24 abandoned buildings. Across the entire survey, just a handful of streets, we found 498 vehicles, 16 roadside garages, 165 vacant lots, 306 dilapidated, derelict buildings, and of course, 75 liquor stores.”
The minister suggested an amendment to the Real Property Tax Act would provide incentives for property owners to restore their properties. He also revealed how the government intends to address the prevalence of liquor stores. “The government is moving to amend the Business License Act to restore public consultation and give residents, school boards, churches, civic groups a legal right to object to the renewal of licenses who sell this. Unlike the 2010 reforms the public will have a formal, meaningful voice in the approval of these establishments. Under an amendment of the Business License Act any person applying for a new license must submit a registration application at least 90 days in advance triggering process of public consultation. The secretary is required to publish a public notice whether its through newspaper, online platforms or physically at the proposed location giving the community not less than two weeks notice and inviting written comments from the public and other interested parties.”
The budget debate continues in the House of Assembly on Wednesday.
