Saint John will clean up property near Fallsview Park

Saint John is moving to clean up a dilapidated property at the entrance to one of its major tourist attractions.

The two-hectare site at 63-75 Fallsview Avenue is littered with dozens of vehicles ranging from pickups to dump trucks and bulldozers. Many of these old vehicles are in disrepair.

The property sits opposite the entrance to popular Fallsview Park.

The property is registered to 057305 N.B. Ltd.

George Murray of Saint John is listed as the corporation's co-owner.

In July 2014, Murray told CBC News his property had been singled out because the city wants the land.

Murray said on Monday night that he still believes he is being targeted by the city.

"If that's what they do, that's what they do," he said.

The site has been on the municipality's radar since 2005 when a file was opened under the precursor to the Unsightly Premises and Dangerous Buildings bylaw.

Since that time, its owners have managed to fend off at least three attempts by the city to take control of the property for cleanup purposes.

Once by gaining an extension after appealing to the Substandard Property Appeal Committee, once at the 11th hour by demolishing a building on their own, and once, in August 2014, by agreeing to remove 59 vehicles from the site.

According to a report to city council, some initial effort was made by the owners last year to clean up the property but over the winter municipal staff were unable to "verify progress" because of snow accumulation.

In May, inspectors discovered that while some of the vehicles had been removed many were simply relocated on the property. On top of that several new derelict vehicles had been added.