Port Chester: Property Owner to be Cited with 44 Violations for Illegal Work that Weakened Building

Port Chester village officials are planning to cite the owners of a structurally damaged downtown building complex with more than 40 violations because of illegally performed work that has weakened the structure.

Port Chester Village Manager Christopher Steers said the complex, the businesses inside and a one-block portion of Adee Street remain closed as a precaution because of damage to the property. Steers said it is uncertain when the village will be able to re-open Adee Street - from North Main Street to King Street - to traffic.

The property affected is at the corner of North Main Street and Adee Street, and runs to King Street and includes 9 different address: 44 to 48 N. Main St., 104 Adee St., 106 Adee St., 108 Adee St. and 110 Adee St, and 45 King St.

Steers said workers had removed a significant portion of a three-foot-thick load-bearing wall without the required permits, weaking the wall and affecting the roof. He said village inspectors discovered the problem after they were conducting and inspection nearby and could see bricks stacked on the roof.

The bricks had been removed from the load-bearing wall and Steers said the danager was compounded by putting the bricks on the roof, above the weakended wall.

The discovery of the weakened structure led Port Chester officals on Tuesday to order the property shut and led to the closing of Adee Street as a precaution. Steers said on Wednesday afternoon that 44 violations were being prepared to be filed against the property owner. 

Village officials were set to meet with the property owner on Wednesday to discuss the building's status. However, Steers said that instead of bringing an engineering expert with him the property owner brought and architect for the discussion. Steers said the owner was told an engineering expert is needed to determine what needs to be done to the property.