KSAC to demolish buildings this month

Nadisha Hunter, Staff Reporter

The KINGSTON and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC), as part of its drive to deal with illegally constructed buildings will be demolishing two buildings, this month, which it said were built without its approval.

The developers of Auburn Court at 15 South Avenue and a dwelling at two Coleyville Avenue were taken to court for breaches of the building regulations, of which they were served with demolition orders which have been expired.

Mayor Desmond McKenzie said the issue with the South Avenue-based building has been going on for some 15 years, but it will end on June 19 when the demolition exercise is expected to be carried out.

"The developer was given until the 31st of May and the 31st has come and gone and the building still stands. So the KSAC is now proceeding, come this weekend, to demolish the building as so ordered by the courts," he said.

Orders ignored

He added that the court has ordered the developer of the Coleyville property to demolish the offending structure of the building, which comprises 15 bedrooms and other apartments, but it has been ignored.

Mckenzie said the KSAC will be taking steps to ensure that the dictates of the court are carried out, and so the building is on the agenda to be demolished June 25.

He explained that everything is in place to carry out the demolition exercises.

McKenzie, in explaining that there are far too many illegal constructions in the city, encouraged the councillors to start acting decisively in order to stem the problem.

"There are far too many building violations that are taking place in this city that people continue to laugh at us because they feel that we are impotent in carrying out our functions as city fathers, and we can't allow this to continue," he declared.

McKenzie said almost 35 per cent of the construction taking place in the Corporate Area is done without the council's approval.

The mayor is adamant that he will not tolerate the illegal constructions that continue in the area.