Politics & Government
Why Illegal Work on Port Chester Building Surprised Village Officials
Property had been subject to 2011 investigation, $17,000 in fines.
When Port Chester village officials discovered illegal work done on a key structural wall at a dowtown property on Tuesday, they were surprised by what they found.
Part of the surprise, according to Village Manager Christopher Steers, was that village officials thought issues with this property had been resolved because of major problems found in 2011 that led to fines and repairs at the property.
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. As a result of illegal work done to remove bricks from a key structural wall, Port Chester has ordered the property closed and a section of Adee Street has been shut as a precaution in case of any collapse.
Find out what's happening in Port Chesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
In 2011, a fire at the property led to the discovery of an overloaded electrical system. Steers said the fire also revealed that the property had 17 apartments when it was only supposed to have two apartments.
The incident led to $17,000 in fines against the property owner and the start of a process that led the property owner to get legal approval for 11 apartments at the property and the required permits.
Find out what's happening in Port Chesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Because the property had gone through proper channels for repairs and updates following the 2011 incident, Steers said the village throught the property was on the right track. He said a limited demolition permit had been issued for the property, but it only allowed for minor work - not such major work as changing a key structural wall that supports the property.
Steers said structural damage to the building was discovered when village inspectors working nearby noticed a load of bricks on the roof of the property - and could see the roof sagging. Those bricks, Steers said, came from a three-foot-thick load-bearing wall that is a key part of the structure below the roof.
On Wednesday, Port Chester officials were preparing 44 violations to issue against the property.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.