Markets, music, and more 🌿

IN THIS ISSUE

➡️ City wants to demolish dangerous eye store

➡️ Busy long weekend for RCMP

➡️ Water trike rentals in Corran Ban

QUICK HITS

🚨 Busy Weekend: RCMP were busy over the long weekend keeping an eye on Island drivers. Officers set up 17 checkpoints where they nabbed three impaired drivers and one suspended driver. There were 98 “interactions” for other offences such as seatbelt violations, no insurance, and expired vehicle inspections. Fines and warnings were issued to 32 heavy-footed drivers who were in a hurry to get somewhere apparently worth speeding to.

👮 More Officers Needed: Charlottetown Police Services welcomed five new constables to its ranks last week, but despite this boost in numbers, staffing levels are still falling short. The emergency services committee heard (YouTube) that an additional ten officers are needed to address the growing pains being experienced due to rapid growth in the city and increasing social challenges. The department has 65 sworn members, which is below the regional average.

✈️ YOW! Porter Airlines touched down in Charlottetown for the first time last week, delivering news of year-round flights linking the Island to Ottawa. Prepare for soaring frequencies, as flights will take off from 11 per week to twice daily starting June 24. They'll gracefully transition to a daily schedule on October 29, defying the conventional off-season service halt we’re all used to. The non-stop flights are served by a 78-seat aircraft.

FINAL COUNTDOWN

City moving toward demolishing dilapidated, dangerous eye store

After six years of neglect following a devastating fire, the owners of an apartment building on University Avenue are facing mounting pressure as the city explores the possibility of demolishing the structure. The emergency services committee recently took a decisive step by passing a motion that urges city council to grant authorization to public works for the demolition of the property located at 282 University Avenue, owned by Said Tweel Ltd.

Since the fire on March 11, 2017, which displaced five tenants, the property remained empty and has continued to deteriorate. Apart from boarding up the windows for security purposes, no visible efforts have been made to restore the building. The building has since been deemed unfit under the Dangerous, Hazardous and Unsightly Premises Bylaw by a city building inspector and fire inspector.

In a final effort to address the long-standing issue, the motion to demolish the building serves as the last available mechanism for emergency services to have the issue resolved. If approved by council, public works would have the authority to demolish or renovate the structure, with all costs shifting back to the property owner.

While the city is unlikely to opt for renovation, the wording of the bylaw provides a last opportunity for the owner to explore alternative means of meeting compliance before the city shows up with a demolition crew.

The motion going to council includes a friendly amendment added by Mayor Philip Brown recommending that an inventory of other dangerous, hazardous and unsightly premises in the city be established. Brown had attempted to defer the original motion until an inventory was established, but no other committee member would second his deferral.

BUSINESS BUZZ

🪚 Building Kings County: Castle Building Centres is set to open a new store in Prince Edward Island this spring. Brudenell Building Centre, to be located at 256 Brudenell Point Road, marks another expansion for Mike James, who already owns Spring Valley Building Centre in Kensington and O'Leary Building Centre. The store will be managed by Adam Baird.

🐟 Flushed Fishies: Vicinato Ristorante, the latest venture by Murphy Hospitality Group, is set to open on Victoria Row. This new year-round Italian dining destination, taking over the former Fishbones Oyster Bar & Grill, will offer authentic cuisine sourced from local and imported ingredients. Guests will witness the culinary mastery in full view from the open-concept kitchen. Employment opportunities are now available as the restaurant prepares for its grand opening. Oh, if you can’t pronounce the restaurant's name, staff posted this fun video to help you out.

Have a tip or hear a rumour of a business opening or closing? Drop me a line, I’ll look into it.

#PEIslandEdition

Water Trikes on Winter River 💦

Marina Water Trikes welcomed its first customers earlier this month. Readers may remember a story I shared back in December about this business planning to open in Charlottetown. That plan was too cost prohibitive, so the owner found a home on the Winter River near the Corran Ban bridge. Congratulations on your launch, Mohammad. 👍

Tag @PEIslandEdition or use #PEIslandEdition to get your post featured in Island Edition!

COMMUNITY CORNER

⌛ Join Olive Bryanton, former Seniors Active Living Centre president and seniors advocate, for a brown bag lunch next Wednesday, May 31 at 11:00am. Discover how to age on your own terms by exploring attitudes, self-perception, and the realities of aging. All are welcome to attend this free event at the Seniors Active Living Centre, 550 University Ave (Bell Aliant Centre, UPEI).

🎶 Celebrate 60 years of the Charlottetown Legion Choir with enchanting "Pure Imagination" Concerts. Join us on Saturday, May 27 at 7PM, alongside Montague Regional High School Choir, and on Sunday, May 28 at 2:30PM, alongside Prince Street Elementary Glee Club. Experience the magic at Carrefour Theatre, 5 Acadian Drive. Tickets are $15 at the door or online. This Facebook event listing has more info.

📅 Discover the KAIROS Blanket Exercise (KBE) – an immersive experience rooted in Indigenous methodologies. Journey through our shared history, delving into pre-contact, treaty making, colonization, and resistance. Join us at Beaconsfield Carriage House this Friday at 12:30 in building understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. Space is limited, pre-registration is required.

Send a quick message if your organization would like to publish a PSA. There's no charge for these. Max three per-issue.

WEATHER

Wednesday

☀️ H20°C 🌡️ L5°C 
💨 S 24 km/h, gusting 44

Thursday

🌧️ H9°C 🌡️ L6°C
💨 NE 17 km/h, gusting 30

Looking Ahead

👀 Subject to change with no notice, the weekend forecast is looking dandy with wa

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