Partial demolition of building to begin in around two weeks

Demolition of part of the Rose Apartments building on Glen Street, the site of a Nov. 11 explosion, is to begin later this month, village Code Enforcement Officer Charles Cagle said Saturday.

That demolition will be started in two weeks,Cagle said. They (building owner Rose PropertiesAlfred, LLC) have moved forward to demolish the entire south end of that building up to a firewall. Theres a firewall that separates the two sides. Theyve got their permit in place to do that.

The explosion was on the south side of the building. Two people were injured, but neither seriously. The cause was said to be a ruptured gas line.

The southwest corner had the most damage. The entire south end cant be reconstructed. That has to come down,Cagle said. He said Allen Construction Management Inc. of Wellsville will be doing this demolition.

There is a process that will have to be completed before any rebuilding can be done on the north end of the building, Cagle said. Once that half (the south end)has been removed, another engineer will go through the north end of the building with me,Cagle said. Theres a possiblity for minimal damage (in the north end).

If no damage is found at the north end, the village will ultimately have to inspect the property, Cagle said.

I have to reinspect that building before any occupancy can take place, make sure any code violations have been addressed and all fire and safety requirements are in place,Cagle said. He said Rose Apartments is due for a village nspection in June anyway. Fire and safety inspections of rentals are required every two years, he said.

Alfred Mayor Craig Clark said Rose Properties has been cooperative with the village through this process.

"Once we get through all the paperwork, I'm looking forward to them rebuilding. I think it's good for the community," he said. "It's been needed in the community to have that style of housing."

Louis Proto of Olean, a managing partner of Rose Properties Alfred, LLC, could not be reached for comment.

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Partial demolition of building to begin in around two weeks