All that remains of the Amrikkos building is a pile of rubble, which is expected to be completely removed in coming days. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Spencer Sterritt

eyesore

VIDEO: Burned out husk of Amrikko’s building finally demolished

Mar 10, 2020 | 7:11 AM

NANAIMO — An eyesore in a beautiful Nanaimo neighbourhood is no more.

Crews spent the weekend demolishing the old Amrikko’s by the Sea building on Wingrove St. at Departure Bay Rd. The building sat vacant after being badly damaged in a 2013 fire.

Neighbour Marty Roberts, who appeared before Nanaimo city council many times to express concern about the building, said he’s thrilled to see it finally come down.

“I wondered quite a bit if (this day) was going to come. It’s been a long battle and the whole neighbourhood is delighted,” he told NanaimoNewsNOW.

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The building was taken down on the weekend and rubble removed on Monday, Mar. 9.

Rubble and garbage was previously removed by the City in late February, 2018.

At the time, senior bylaw enforcement officer Cheryl Kuczerski told NanaimoNewsNOW the removal happened because efforts by the owner to keep the site clean were deemed unsatisfactory.

There’s currently a mixed-use building permit active for the site, submitted on Mar. 2, shortly before demolition began.

It includes a restaurant and three commercial units on the ground floor, with 12 multi-family units above.

As part of the building permit, the developers agreed to maintain at least 50 per cent of the units as rentals for at least 10 years.

Roberts said he’d be thrilled if the site could become something more, including apartments and shops.

“It would be wonderful to see it be done up and developed, to see new life come into the place.”

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit