Prince Rupert's Boulevard of Boarded Up windows

A building on Third West just west of 1st Street is just one of a few
along the city's downtown core area that feature boarded up windows

Last week we noted of a topic making for some Social media conversation related to the Debris field still in place from the Belmont Hotel fire of the spring of 2022. 

Amidst some of the commentary of late has also been some concerns over the growing visuals of the downtown area, with a few mentions along the way of the growing umber of boarded up windows along the main shopping District of Third Avenue West.

And a quick wander along the heart of the downtown over the weekend from 1st Street to 7th Street does offer up a tour of some of the recent and not so recent incidents of vandalism that have seen picture windows replaced by sheets of plywood.

We start our tour from the eastern end of Third West (photo above), working our way west.

Not all of the use of plywood seems reflective of vandalism of late,  but perhaps is being used as a pre-emptive measure.

And just a few steps away towards the harbour there are a pair of familiar buildings which have featured plywood as a fashion accessory for more than a few years now.

The topic of the look of downtown and other areas of the city has on occasion been a talking point for some on City Council.

March 2022 -- Prince Rupert's Bylaw Enforcement Blues

April 2021 -- Mayor, Council look to create a culture of pride of property appearance in Prince Rupert 

February 2021 -- Council hears details of path forward towards enforcement of property maintenance bylaw

And with the growing volume of ad hoc window fashions, the situation  may be due for another review from Council as to the reasons that require the maintenance work and how the City could address them.

For now however, with the increase of issues in the downtown area,  the real money in Prince Rupert is that which is found in plywood sales.

A look at some of Prince Rupert City Council's past discussion themes can be reviewed here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.