There is no denying the abundant number of decaying structures and homes within the city of Dunkirk. Yet, within the last month, officials are seeking court permission for emergency demolition of a dilapidated former motel just off Route 5.

The city filed a petition with state Supreme Court Dec. 29 to demolish a building on Point Drive West behind the Dunkirk Motel. The structure belongs to Dunkirk Motel owners Mahalaxmi Enterprise LLC. City officials have sought its removal for years.

The building has 18 motel units and was constructed in 1956, “but based on property records, the building is believed to be vacant since 1996.”

Mahalaxmi Enterprise bought the property at a tax auction in 2014. The company successfully applied for a variance to put a motel back on site in 2021 after construction work, but that never materialized. The variance expired in 2022, and Mahalaxmi applied for another one, but it was denied in 2023.

Dunkirk’s previous council had been sour on the property — and backed the code enforcement officer’s edict to have the building removed in 2024. For the moment, however, everything is at a standstill.

In the meantime, city officials could have taken a wrecking ball to its budget in the past two years — including its overspending plan that totals $29 million this year. Instead, as we all know, it just passed the buck — with an 84% tax increase that is supposed to be forgiven.

Poorly run governments lead to a lack of investment — and dilapidated properties. This just does not apply for the city, it’s almost everywhere in upstate.

That eyesore hotel is a testament to the problems.