Demolition of Mount Manresa on hold until developers notify all nearby homeowners of plans

Asbestos found at Bruno Building at Mount Manresa site. (Photo courtesy of DA's office)Mira Wassef | mwassef@siadvance.com

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The stop work order for all construction and land clearing at Mount Manresa was lifted earlier this week upon completion of asbestos abatement at the property.

Demolition of the former Jesuit retreat remains on hold, however, until the developers obtain valid demolition permits, according to a Department of Buildings spokesman.

The demo permits that the site's developer, Savo Brothers, obtained in August have since expired and their renewal won't be automatic, DOB spokesman Alexander Schnell said.

"The application [for renewal of the demolition permits] remains on hold until the applicant can provide the Department with the necessary documentation to confirm that they have informed all necessary adjacent property owners of their intent to demolish the property," he said.

Members of the Committee to Save Mount Manresa had previously expressed concern that fewer than half of the 200 adjoining property owners had been informed of the pending demolition before work began.

"At least 100 property owners were not notified," Committee president Barbara Sanchez wrote in a Dec. 22 email to local pols, in which she pressed them to pressure the DOB to require that all nearby homeowners be notified.

"I know," she continued, "as I live in one of the adjoining properties that was not notified."

ASBESTOS ISSUES

The city has fined Savo Brothers of Prince's Bay and other parties involved with the project $67,400 for asbestos-related problemsat the site in recent months.

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Demolition of Mount Manresa on hold until developers notify all nearby homeowners of plans