New Berlin still cutting red tape in demolition of condemned Main St. building
NEW BERLIN – Village Mayor Wade Schrag hopes that by the end of this year, the municipality can accept bids from area contractors to remove a condemned, three-story building that’s blighted Main Street for nearly three years.
Since Chenango County Code Enforcement officials closed off the site in early January 2008, the village has sought a solution on the issue, initiating public hearings, filling out grant applications, completing state required reviews and even considering taking legal action before eventually buying the delinquent property at a public auction in July.
After leaping over what was believed to be the last bureaucratic hurdle in June, when the village received final approval for demolition and grant funds from the state, Schrag projected the building would be demolished by the end of summer.
However, that assessment was met with another issue this September when contractors reviewing the building discovered “some” asbestos in the construction material, demanding yet another analysis of the site before demolition could proceed, explained the mayor.
“At the moment an engineer is doing up the specifications on how to safely demolish and remove the debris. We’re hoping to have the analysis back to board members before the next meeting in December,” said Schrag.
The mayor admits his hopes of beginning the demolition process within the year depend on the winter weather. “Maybe sooner than 2011 if the snow isn’t an issue and we get the report by then,” said Schrag last week.
County Code Enforcement closed the building after there were complaints of bricks and debris falling from it. After investigating the building, inspectors feared its long term stability. The building was deemed unsafe and has been boarded up ever since.
Instead of paying nearly $31,000 in back taxes on the 19th century brick building located at 2 North Main St., the village won a $10,000 bid on the delinquent property in July after the property owner declared bankruptcy.
The building’s previous owner was unable to afford the costs associated with demolition or repair, estimated to be more than $150,000.
The village paid private contractors to review the site in 2008 so the municipality could apply for a Restore NY grant to pay for the project.
In September 2008, the village received approval from Albany for a $160,000 Restore New York grant which could be spent for tearing down the building.
However, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation put a halt to demolition in May 2009, saying the village needed a more extensive review of the project. The agency had concern over demolishing a historic building without further study.
By July, the village was cleared by the state after having additional contractors review the site. Later that same month, New Berlin received $160,000 for downtown revitalization from the Restore NY grant.
“Once it is razed, the village plans to sell the property for redevelopment. One local business owner has already contacted the village with an interest in purchasing the parcel for commercial use,” Schrag said this past summer.
Since Chenango County Code Enforcement officials closed off the site in early January 2008, the village has sought a solution on the issue, initiating public hearings, filling out grant applications, completing state required reviews and even considering taking legal action before eventually buying the delinquent property at a public auction in July.
After leaping over what was believed to be the last bureaucratic hurdle in June, when the village received final approval for demolition and grant funds from the state, Schrag projected the building would be demolished by the end of summer.
However, that assessment was met with another issue this September when contractors reviewing the building discovered “some” asbestos in the construction material, demanding yet another analysis of the site before demolition could proceed, explained the mayor.
“At the moment an engineer is doing up the specifications on how to safely demolish and remove the debris. We’re hoping to have the analysis back to board members before the next meeting in December,” said Schrag.
The mayor admits his hopes of beginning the demolition process within the year depend on the winter weather. “Maybe sooner than 2011 if the snow isn’t an issue and we get the report by then,” said Schrag last week.
County Code Enforcement closed the building after there were complaints of bricks and debris falling from it. After investigating the building, inspectors feared its long term stability. The building was deemed unsafe and has been boarded up ever since.
Instead of paying nearly $31,000 in back taxes on the 19th century brick building located at 2 North Main St., the village won a $10,000 bid on the delinquent property in July after the property owner declared bankruptcy.
The building’s previous owner was unable to afford the costs associated with demolition or repair, estimated to be more than $150,000.
The village paid private contractors to review the site in 2008 so the municipality could apply for a Restore NY grant to pay for the project.
In September 2008, the village received approval from Albany for a $160,000 Restore New York grant which could be spent for tearing down the building.
However, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation put a halt to demolition in May 2009, saying the village needed a more extensive review of the project. The agency had concern over demolishing a historic building without further study.
By July, the village was cleared by the state after having additional contractors review the site. Later that same month, New Berlin received $160,000 for downtown revitalization from the Restore NY grant.
“Once it is razed, the village plans to sell the property for redevelopment. One local business owner has already contacted the village with an interest in purchasing the parcel for commercial use,” Schrag said this past summer.
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