Two local backdrops to many RCMP investigations and further drug use and prostitution allegations are set to be demolished early next year.

Both the Pioneer Inn and the Blue Moon Saloon on Second Avenue have been surrounded by blue wire fencing for two months.

On Nov. 29, the city issued a demolition permit to Ketza Construction Corp.

Ketza staff told the Star the buildings' owner, Tippy Mah, approached them earlier this fall about a demolition contract.

Ketza confirmed it's involved in the demolition project, but hasn't finalized a plan yet, and would likely subcontract the work to a company more familiar with building destruction.

The demolitions will likely be carried out in January. City planners said there are no guidelines directly linked to the permits on how demolitions must be carried out.

The RCMP have been involved in numerous investigations related to the buildings, including assaults, drug use and trafficking, stabbings and prostitution.

Mah told the Star earlier this year he planned to tear down the existing buildings and build four-storey condominiums in their place.

City hall has not yet received any such building permit application.

Documents on file at the Yukon Land Titles Office say Mah purchased the properties from Hong Tai Lam for $650,000 last Feb. 19.

Mah, who also owns the 202 Motor Inn, said in an interview from Vancouver, 'I'm going to clean up that corner. I'm going to clean it up and make it much better.'

The Blue Moon has had a number of names over the years, including Foxy's, the Brass Rail and the Bench and Gavel, which was run in the late 1980s by Hughie Williams, brother of former Toronto Maple Leafs player Dave 'Tiger' Williams.

The building's lower floor also encompassed the long-lived Joe's bar, which was closed earlier this year.