EDC Considers Innovative Approach to Abandoned Buildings

On Monday, the Economic Development Committee decided that an innovative approach was needed for a problem set of buildings at 20 Portland Street.

They voted to consider offering the property for free, with a $70,000 grant to any member of the public who would pledge to renovate the buildings, and create housing considered affordable housing under HUD (Housing and Urban Development) regulations.

The buildings, which have been abandoned by their owner, are considered blighted, and according to neighbors, have been a problem for the street.

"The power was shut off, and people were still living there," said Glastonbury resident Joe Salamone, landlord of a neighboring building, and a partner in Peyton Properties.  "It has been nothing but a headache for my neighbors and us."

Peyton has proposed taking ownership of the property after the buildings have been demolished by the city to use as a parking lot for his properties.  He indicated he was willing to pay for the vacant property.

The problem is, some residents have complained about demolition of the building, and the city doesn't have enough money to demolish the building and dispose of the lead contaminated debris.

Town planner Bill Warner said that it could cost $100,000 dollars to demolish the building and properly dispose of the debris.   A building with a lead measurement of 5 PPM (parts per million) must be disposed of in certified locations, and the building has a predicted lead content of between 12-19 PPM. In addition, the city is already $37,000 in the hole for the building due to unpaid Water and Sewer bills and legal costs.

Many older properties have lead in the paint on walls and other surfaces.

The building was put up for auction, but no buyers were attracted by the $37,000 opening bid required by the city.

"We have a responsibility here," committee member and Common Councilor Joe Bibisi said.  "We just can't say we don't have the money.  It's got to come down one way or the other."

Planning and Zoning Commissioner Catherine Johnson, who wrote a critique of plans to demolish the buildings for the Middletown Eye, addressed the committee at the beginning of the meeting and suggested that the buildings did not have to come down.

"It's easier, cheaper and more efficient to work with what's there and demolish it and then making a cheaper version of it," Johnson said.  "The city should not spend CDBG money for demolition."

In the end, as a result of the lack of money to demolish the structure, committee members began considering different options.

"What if we gave you $70,000 (the cost of demolition), and the property would you be interested in acquiring it?" Committee member Vinnie Loffredo asked Salamone.

Salamone said that he would have to analyze the offer before responding, and Johnson said that such an offer should be opened to anyone who fit the requirements of HUD money to create affordable housing, and would pledge to restore and reside in the building.

The EDC then voted to offer the building to the public, and to craft an agreement which would assure that the units in the buildings would meet the requirements of affordable housing, and would guarantee that the building would be renovated.