Building inspectors in Winnipeg want to use a powerful bylaw provision they've never applied before to take possession of 15 derelict properties.

The city's building inspections division has asked council for extra funding to start the process of taking the titles to the 15 abandoned buildings, under a provision of the Vacant and Derelict Buildings Bylaw.

"The taking title provision is probably the most powerful tool or provision within the bylaw," said Gary Solkoski, the housing and existing buildings administrator with the city's planning, property and development department, on Wednesday.

The bylaw, passed in 2004, allows the city to take title to a derelict property without paying compensation to the owner, once the owner has been convicted of failing to repair or maintain the building. The owners of all 15 buildings in question have been convicted.

Properties may be unsafe

Solkoski said the provision is next step for inspectors, after unsuccessfully using persuasion, orders and the courts in the past two years to try to make owners of the 15 buildings take care of them.

He said the properties are not only unsightly but, in most cases, are unsafe, especially for firefighters who may have to enter them.

"The last thing that we want is buildings that have been stripped of their alarm systems, their detection systems, their suppression systems, stairways, landings and so on," he said Wednesday.

"And you can imagine a darkened environment in a big building, it would be hard enough to navigate at any point in time, let alone in an atmosphere of smoke and haze and confusion during the course of trying to fight a fire."

Process may take awhile

Under the bylaw, the city can take possession of the properties — even if the owners have paid the taxes — and then accept offers from community groups or businesses for their redevelopment.

Solkoski said that process may take a while, since the city would have to draw up redevelopment plans for the properties before taking title.

In the meantime, he said he is hoping the owners will act now so they don't lose their buildings.