It’s been almost three years since the biggest natural disaster in Alberta’s history hit Calgary but the demolition of some flood-damaged homes is only now underway.
One of the hardest hits streets is in the upscale inner-city neighbourhood of Roxboro where multi-million dollar homes are now being turned into piles of rubble.
But it’s a slow process and it’s causing concern for some people living nearby.
More than a dozen homes along Roxboro Road were torn down last Thursday. Broken lumber and debris still sit in their place. Insulation and smashed windows are piled into a heap.
“Their schedule said it will go on to the end of September,” Roxboro resident James Maxim said. “Why can’t they speed it up? With the weather and the amount of people out of work, why can’t this be done sooner and faster for everybody concerned? And why should we put up with the dust and pollution that’s here as well as the danger of these sites for vandalism and people coming in and hurting themselves?”
The June 2013 flood caused billions of dollars in damage across southern Alberta
A dozen houses along Roxboro Road S.W. were destroyed.
The Alberta government spent more than $30-million to buy properties deemed inhabitable, in order to compensate the owners.
Now that the demolition process is finally underway, it will also involve recycling and reclamation.
The government suggests completing the job could take months.
The future of the empty lots is still another matter of debate.
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