Problem Property Set To Come Down

FULTON, NY – An eyesore structure on the city’s west side is set to come down.

Second Ward Alderman David Guyer raised his constituents’ concerns about the property located at the corners of West Second Street and Broadway during last week’s meeting of the Fulton Common Council.

The former home of the Thrift Store and More, the building was damaged in November 2007 when a brick building that stood next to the site collapsed. While the remains of the brick building have since been removed, the corner property has remained largely untouched.

Mayor Ronald Woodward explained that the matter has been in court since last year. During an appearance this past week, Woodward said that the city received news that the building will be coming down.

“Sometimes the wheels of justice move a little slow,” Woodward said.

Woodward said that during a court appearance in August, the property owner — Demetrius Barnwell — was directed to take the building down.

“He appeared this month with a contractor agreement,” Woodward said.

Cathy Trowbridge, Woodward’s assistant, noted that the building sustained more damage during the windstorm that blew through Central New York this past week.

When the wind came through, Trowbridge said the roof lifted from the building and fell back inside the structure. The area was cordoned off and fire department examined the aerial view of the roof with the ladder truck, she said.

Woodward explained that the fire department determined that because of the way the roof fell, the site did not pose an imminent threat.

“It certainly makes it more of a threat to go inside,” he noted.

Woodward said that an asbestos survey has been completed and the company — Lindsley Haulers — is scheduled to start removing asbestos this week.

“Once that is done, they will start taking the building down,“ he said. “By the middle of October, it will be gone.”

“People will be thrilled,” Guyer said.

“The contractor has the documents,” Woodward added. “He knows how anxious we are. I take him at his word. He is very reputable.”

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