An abandoned building in Windsor used by squatters to do drugs has its days numbered.
The City of Windsor said the burned out building at 840 Wyandotte St. E should be torn down early this fall.
The manager of inspections with the building department has told Blackburn News the city has had ongoing enforcement at this property over the past two years. The owner was also charged for failing to comply with a demolition order and was convicted and fined in provincial Court in June.
A fire at the old Le Chef Restaurant gutted the building in May of 2016 and the eyesore has been used by squatters to do drugs and other criminal activity.
The neighbourhood is fed up with the mess and some of the businesses in the area have been calling for action.
Andrew Steptoe, owner of Border Ink Tattoos next door, said the floor is covered with dirty needles, naloxone cases and garbage.
"We literally just cleaned this, this was bare floor last year. We actually boarded this off but they tore it off and they're staying in here," said Steptoe.
Steptoe said there is all kinds of nasty business going on in the building at night.
"They caught them doing their hooking out here. So, they're out here pulling tricks and if anybody has a stolen bike it's probably in here," he added.
Steptoe said the urine-filled building puts public safety at risk because of all the dirty needles with blood still in the syringe.
"The smell is terrible and... if you have little kids in this neighbourhood, how unsafe is this. So many needles and drugs, dude look at this, yeah blood right at the bottom," Steptoe said.
Vani said the building has been re-secured with iron fencing and windows and doors have been boarded-up to keep unauthorized people out. He added the city will continue to monitor the site.
The city is also encouraging anyone to report any suspicious activities around the building to the Windsor police non-emergency line and any breaches in the security fence to the city's 311 call centre.
