New Berlin building condemned
NEW BERLIN – Due in part to high winds sweeping through Wednesday, one of the village’s historic landmarks had to be condemned.
New Berlin residents noticed bricks falling from the three-story building and immediately contacted county officials. Chenango County Code Officer Bruce Bates said after being notified of the damage on the east side of the historically-listed structure, located at 2 N. Main St. in downtown New Berlin, and hearing concerns from firefighters, he was on the scene to take a closer assessment of the damage.
“The building was in need of attention and is in danger of collapsing,” Bates said.
Bates said Gene Root, an engineer from Oxford, was called in following the initial assessment, and by Thursday morning, the building was not only barricaded, but the precautionary area was extended to encompass the sidewalk and end at the street. “It is warned that no one should enter the premises,” said Bates.
Within an hour of the first assessment, Bates said there were four apartments which were occupied and two businesses, one of which had just been vacated, and another which appeared empty, that had to be evacuated from the building. “I am unsure of where all of the residents have relocated to,” said Bates. “After our assessment was made, we were in contact with the county’s social services department and offered the residents assistance in finding somewhere to go.”
Based on the condition of the building, Bates said, the occupants might have been asked to leave immediately. “It was only a technicality or courtesy that I gave them an hour to leave. Normally they would not have even gotten that,” he said. “I told the tenants to get their clothes and whatever else they needed together that they would need for the next few days.”
No tenants will be allowed to re-enter the building. “The landlord may be able to bring their belongings down to them, but right now no tenants can re-enter,” said Bates.
Working with Root and the landlord of the building, Ken George from Morris, the codes department is currently waiting for a written assessment of the property. George said he had no comment to give on the status of the building, as he too, is waiting to see what the written assessment will be.
The building, built in 1882, has been used by dozens of merchants and housed numerous tenants over the years. Bates said it may be condemned permanently; however, no final decision has been made.
New Berlin residents noticed bricks falling from the three-story building and immediately contacted county officials. Chenango County Code Officer Bruce Bates said after being notified of the damage on the east side of the historically-listed structure, located at 2 N. Main St. in downtown New Berlin, and hearing concerns from firefighters, he was on the scene to take a closer assessment of the damage.
“The building was in need of attention and is in danger of collapsing,” Bates said.
Bates said Gene Root, an engineer from Oxford, was called in following the initial assessment, and by Thursday morning, the building was not only barricaded, but the precautionary area was extended to encompass the sidewalk and end at the street. “It is warned that no one should enter the premises,” said Bates.
Within an hour of the first assessment, Bates said there were four apartments which were occupied and two businesses, one of which had just been vacated, and another which appeared empty, that had to be evacuated from the building. “I am unsure of where all of the residents have relocated to,” said Bates. “After our assessment was made, we were in contact with the county’s social services department and offered the residents assistance in finding somewhere to go.”
Based on the condition of the building, Bates said, the occupants might have been asked to leave immediately. “It was only a technicality or courtesy that I gave them an hour to leave. Normally they would not have even gotten that,” he said. “I told the tenants to get their clothes and whatever else they needed together that they would need for the next few days.”
No tenants will be allowed to re-enter the building. “The landlord may be able to bring their belongings down to them, but right now no tenants can re-enter,” said Bates.
Working with Root and the landlord of the building, Ken George from Morris, the codes department is currently waiting for a written assessment of the property. George said he had no comment to give on the status of the building, as he too, is waiting to see what the written assessment will be.
The building, built in 1882, has been used by dozens of merchants and housed numerous tenants over the years. Bates said it may be condemned permanently; however, no final decision has been made.
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