Code Enforcement: Irving Ave. Eyesore 'Will Be Dealt With'

Building officials in Port Chester haven't forgotten about a partially-collapsed building on Irving Avenue, and the eyesore "will be dealt with," Code Enforcement Director Christopher Steers said.

The issue was raised Thursday by Patch readers, who called attention to the 303 Irving Ave. building in the comments section of another code enforcement story. Along with a gaping hole in the partially-collapsed roof, the building has also been spray-painted with graffiti.

"If you're stuck at the light and look up you can see the sky through the side window," reader William Beadle wrote. "I've e-mailed the code enforcement office about this because I feel it's a public hazard and no action has been done."

Readers were responding to about a code enforcement database dubbed "a wall of shame" by Mayor Dennis Pilla. The file contains the details of more than 100 cases related to illegal dwellings and housing violations in Port Chester.

Trustee Bart Didden also weighed in on the issue, saying he's been inquiring about the eyesore since last year, when a concerned resident contacted him through Facebook.

In an e-mail from Aug. 26, former Building Inspector Dan Gray mentions Didden's questions about the building.

"The property owner, Peter Sinis is making arrangements to have an engineer assess the structural integrity of the building and have an architect draw up plans for the renovation, if it can be saved," Gray wrote. " I expect to hear back from him within a week."

It's not clear what happened afterward, or whether the case was shelved due to ongoing problems at the building department in the wake of a . Sinis couldn't be reached for comment.

The building department was by police as part of the ongoing investigation. This week, the Board of Trustees a new building inspector, and Steers said residents should expect a resolution soon.

"Apparently nothing was done," Steers wrote in reply to a Patch inquiry, referencing the original complaint about the building this summer. "I brought this location up to the new Building Inspector on Tuesday. I will ensure that it is dealt with this time around."

The building should come down, Didden wrote.

"I believe that the owner has had more than enough opportunities for his own engineer to inspect the property and give proof that the structure, in its present condition, is safe," the trustee . "In the absence of any proof I believe that it must come down because the Village may have some liability at this point since its been on our radar screen for so long."

Click the .pdf file at the top right of this story to view the original code enforcement complaint.

Follow Port Chester Patch!

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PortChesterPatch

Twitter: http://twitter.com/PChesterPatch