Janion Building

Canon Powershot A50 on August 31, 2006. 1/500 sec., f/6.3, exposure compensation: -0.67, Focal Length: 4.3mm.

Two days ago this building was in the news as a member of a demonstration group, had broken into the building, and barricaded himself in. The Police had to go in and get him out. The group were demonstrating to bring the plight of the homeless people to the attention of the conference of the municipalities of B.C. being held in the City.

This is a derelict building and has not been used for about 30 years. It still is an elegant old building. It was a hotel when first opened in 1891 and so has some history and is a heritage building. It is owned by Clara Beatrice Kramer. She also owns the Northern Junk building, another nice old building that has not been used for years. The scuttlebutt from the street is that before he died, her husband told her not to sell the buildings. So, no one seems to be able to buy them and she does not seem to have the incentive to keep them up. She says she 'has her man' check them to keep them safe. The demonstrator must have had a well thought out plan to break in. The Homeless groups seem to think that these empty buildings could be put to better use by the homeless, than to have them sitting empty.