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Infill construction cost Calgary taxpayers $9.3M in public property damage, city estimates

Coun. Druh Farrell says the city has devised some new ways to crack down on contractors and developers who damage public trees, curbs, sidewalks and roads during construction projects.

Before-and-after photos of properties will help city go after companies for repair costs

Danielle Nerman · CBC News ·
A construction worker walks atop a wood frame for a building.
Between 2011 and 2015, infill projects have cost the city an estimated $9.3 million in damages to public property — such as trees, gutters, curbs, sidewalks and roads. (Gregory Bull/The Associated Press)

The City of Calgary is cracking down on contractors and developers who damage public property during construction projects.

Between 2011 and 2015, infill projects in the inner city have cost the city and taxpayers an estimated $9.3-million in damage to public property — such as trees, gutters, curbs, sidewalks and roads, according to a new report commissioned by the transportation and transit committee.

"Some construction companies, not all, have been damaging public properties almost on a routine basis," Ward. 7 Coun. Druh Farrell, told the Calgary Eyeopener.

"During the boom, especially, we were seeing a lot of mom-and-pop, one-time homebuilders."

'Some construction companies, not all, have been damaging public properties almost on a routine basis,' says Ward 7 Coun. Druh Farrell. (CBC)

City administration did a survey of Wards 7, 8 and 9 — where there has been a boom in infill development — and found an average of $163 in tree damage and $1,391 in concrete damage per infill site.

Despite numerous complaints lodged by neighbours and the city's road department, Farrell said the city was unable to get offending construction companies to cough up the cash for repairs.

"We didn't have a mechanism to catch them properly and have the people doing the damage pay the cost," she said.

Photographic evidence is key

Farrell said until recently, the city was not documenting the condition of all city assets surrounding infills prior to construction.

The report being presented to council on Monday recommends that the city improve its records by taking more photographs.

"Similar to when you're renting a car, you take a look at the conditions of the car to make sure there are no dings and scratches and then you pay for the difference if you create damage," Farrell said.

The report also recommends that city staff educate and encourage Calgarians to report any damage to 311 and more collaboration between inspectors in different city departments to improve oversight of construction projects.

With files from the Calgary Eyeopener

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