ANY RELATION TO KEN SEILING? - FORMER ELECTROHOME SITE ON SHANLEY ST.

The Waterloo Region Record have had two recent stories regarding the abandoned and decaying factory at 152 Shanley St. in Kitchener. They are titled "Building owner wants deadline extended" and the earlier article was "Owners of Electrohome site have a history of property standards violations in Waterloo". This first article outlined a number of rental properties owned by the Spylo family which have been problematic for the City of Waterloo over the years. There have been dozens of complaints to the City of Waterloo from tenants and the City have stated that there were problems either getting the work done in a timely fashion or to an acceptable standard.

The article about the deadline extension request advises that the Spylos have requested an extension to a City of Kitchener order demanding an application for a permit either to make repairs to the structurally unsound Shanley St. building or to demolish it by June 17, 2019. The building which has become an eyesore in the community for many years due to grass, weed, and snow issues is now suffering from decades of neglect including a leaking roof which has severely damaged interior floors and joists. Mike Seiling, Kitchener's chief building official, is considering granting a deadline extension if the owners provide the City with a written engineer's report attesting that the building hasn't gotten any worse in terms of its structural stability.

It is my understanding that developer Mr. Spylo purchased this old building back in 1998 and has essentially let it sit and rot for over two decades. Clearly he views it as an investment that will eventually pay off while he does not do legally mandated upkeep both inside and outside the building. Are our municipal by-laws really this weak or is it a case of selective enforcement with a city council unwilling to force a recalcitrant property owner and business person to follow the rules that the rest of us are expected to? Lastly what about the TRICHLOROETHYLENE (TCE) on this property? Where is the Ontario Ministry of Environment (MOE/MECP)? Have they any recent soil and groundwater test results that prove the TCE has not left the property and is not threatening residential neighbours? If not then shame on them yet again for their negligence.