| Craigiebank councillor John Corrigan said it was time something was done to smarten up a property that sits alongside one of the city’s so-called “ambassador routes.”
Vast sums have been spent by the council and the Scottish Executive to improve the appearance of key routes through Dundee to give visitors a bright first impression.
But Councillor Corrigan says there is little point if buildings were left to descend into a state of dilapidation.
The former switchgear and transformer factory, which once employed around 1000 people, has been vacant since 2002 and owners ABB have been unable to find a buyer.
The 30,000 square foot buildings, on 8.5 acres, closed when the Swedish and Swiss-owned multi-national decided to move transformer manufacture to Sweden.
Last year, the company had to take measures to secure the factory after vandals repeatedly broke in and set parts of it alight.
It has also attracted criticism from motorists who park in nearby streets as the factory has become a haven for gulls, which deposit their droppings over the vehicles.
Councillor Corrigan is keen to see something done to improve the factory.
He said, “Whatever difficulties ABB may have in developing this site, it has been a source of complaint from many local people, including passers-by.
“The question is why this site has been allowed to become such an eyesore.
“Local residents want to see this situation resolved and I am pursuing the matter with council officers to find out why it has taken so long for the site to be developed.”
The only publicly-declared interest in the property came from an Edinburgh developer who was granted planning permission for a car showroom, but opted out.
ABB said their marketing efforts since then have been unsuccessful. The company is involved in power automation machinery and is not interested in attempting to develop the site itself, either by demolishing it and selling the land or by converting it into smaller units.
A spokeswoman for the company said, “We are doing all we can to try to keep it safe and secure, working with the local police, council and other agencies to make sure it’s in the best state possible.”
Dundee City Council said the factory remained on its list of buildings for “visual inspection”. A spokesman added, “So far, it hasn’t needed any intervention.”
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