Demolition crews will get back to work on what’s left of the Housatonic Wire factory in several weeks, according to the owner of the property.
“By Fourth of July, the site should be all cleaned up with a nice view of the waterfalls,” said Alex Budzinski, owner, whose family has held the property for generations.
The old factory was destroyed by fire Sept. 11.
Cleaning up the giant pile of wreckage stalled as the town and Budzinski’s contractor bumped heads over the permitting process.
The confusion has been straightened out, and the contractor, Connecticut Dismantling of Stamford, will obtain the permit shortly, Budzinski said.
“Then we can move on,” he said.
The site is still under a potential redevelopment deal that would see a $20 million mixed commercial and residential project, by Amity Construction & Design.
First Selectman Paul Roy had predicted in early January the issues between the town and the demolition contractor would be worked out. He told the Board of Selectmen Tuesday night work will begin in April.
Work could not have taken place during the winter anyway.
Budzinski said asbestos removal procedures must be followed, which require wetting down the surfaces so nothing becomes airborne, and that can’t be done in freezing temperatures.
“It would have been too dangerous for the workers, with the ice, so the project has been on hold for the winter,” Budzinski said.
