Unsafe Building Forces Business Owners to Evacuate

Port Chester officials forced businesses to evacuate and closed Adee Street yesterday after officials found that construction work had compromised the large building on the corner of Adee and Westchester Avenue yesterday, according to police. Weight baring walls were removed making a hazard, said Port Chester Police Lt. James Ladeairous Wednesday.

Five businesses are still closed today and owners are worried about how long they will have to lose business because of the safety issue.

“It effects my business big time,” said William Delgado, the owner of Major Cuts 2, located in the same building where the code violation occurred. Delgado owns Major Cuts 1 on Westchester Avenue as well but does not have enough room to move all his barbers to that location.

“I could try to fit them but the other guys need their paychecks too,” he said of Major Cuts 1 barbers. “I could lose my guys,” Delgado said, if they go to other places to cut."

Arcuri's Pizza and Crave on Westchester Avenue, and Escapar and Meche Chas Uyra de Oro on Adee Street are all closed. They have no word on when they might reopen. Delgado said he was told he would have to wait until the building inspector declares it a safe structure.

Business across Westchester and Adee Street are still open but they fear for their safety and profits as well.

“I hope nothing happens because if the situation is that bad then we shouldn’t be open,” said George Gomez, the manager of International Brazilian Bakery and Cafe on the side of Adee Street that is still open. “Because if something happens over there, forget about it, then we have to close and we don’t have a job,” he said.

Gomez said business has already been affected because they have lost several parking spots; no one can park on Adee.

My concerns are the vibrations if they start working construction here God only knows what could happen,” said Pete Williams, owner of Midtown Station across from the building.  He said Con Edison and the water department were recently working nearby at the same time construction was going on across the street.

“I was worried about that because something like that can’t be too safe,” he said he told officials yesterday.