
An image of a power line at the property.
ANSONIA — Demolition to the former SHW Casting Co. building downtown is expected to get underway next week due to a partial roof collapse, which city officials have deemed a public safety hazard.
According to Ansonia Corporation Counsel John Marini, a portion of the roof at the property at 35 N. Main St. collapsed on Oct. 29, likely caused by a water main that burst in an adjacent property, in one of the old Farrel buildings.
​“We need to get this building demolished before any part of it can collapse into the road,” Marini said.
Marini said the possible theft of a copper water valve caused the water main to burst, and the vibrations from the burst led to the SHW roof collapse in what is known as Building 11, which the city owns.
Marini said the city engineer and building inspector conducted an investigation Nov. 1 and deemed the building structurally unstable and recommended that it be demolished immediately.
“The results of the inspection clearly indicated that the building has a large portion of the roof deteriorated, causing the building to be structurally compromised,” Ansonia City Engineer Fred D’Amico wrote in a letter to Marini. ​“The building in this condition is unsafe to the public and is in imminent danger of collapsing. Because of its unsafe condition, the city should immediately demolish the structure.”
D’Amico, in his letter, said Ansonia Building Inspector Nick Behun, concurred with his assessment of the building.
​“As indicated in the letter from the City Engineer, the structure, Building 11, is no longer stable, and is in danger suffering a further collapse,” Marini said in an email to the Valley Indy. ​“Specifically, there is a concern that a further collapse could result in portions of the structure, or debris, falling into the adjacent roadway or sidewalk. Additionally, there is a danger to anyone who might unlawfully access the property, such as squatters looking to escape the cold, and a risk that subsequent collapses could allow contaminants such as asbestos to migrate off the site and into residential neighborhoods.”
Marini addressed the issue during the Nov. 15 meeting of the Board of Aldermen. He said a demolition contractor was secured but said the wires that supplied power to the vacant factory building have to be cut before demolition can proceed.
​“The city needs UI to certify that power is no longer running to the structure,” Marini said. ​“This is legally required for the city to move forward with demolition. Technically speaking, nothing is energized at the SHW site. However, the wires are still supporting the structures, which poses a danger if not entirely disconnected. The supporting wires might fall into the river during demolition, causing a hazard.”
Marini said over the last three months, UI representatives informed the city they were working on a plan to disconnect power to the site. But in light of the recent roof collapse, and requesting UI to cut the wires sooner, Marini said UI was not responsive to the request. Marini said all other utilities, including water, sewer and gas, have long since been discontinued to the SHW site.
​“The city was having difficulty getting UI to respond,” Marini told the aldermen. ​“I told UI we would cut the wires ourselves, and we got a response back.”
Marini said he, Mayor David Cassetti and Economic Development Director Sheila O’Malley met with UI officials last Friday, Nov. 18.
​“UI is scheduled to begin work on the disconnection on the Monday following Thanksgiving,” Marini said. ​“Demolition of the SHW site should commence later in the same week.”
Marini, prior to Friday’s pow wow, had threatened court action against the utility company.
Marini said Stanford Demolition was previously secured by the City through a formal bidding process and stands ready to demolish the building once the wires are cut. He said demolition is slated to cost about $700,000, of which the city secured through both state and federal grant funds.
UI spokesperson Gage Frank, reached via email, said UI is working with Ansonia officials to resolve the problem.
​“The United Illuminating Company (UI) met with the City of Ansonia and is in communication with the Mayor’s Office and the City’s contractor regarding the excavation, soil disposal and backfilling work that needs to be completed ahead of UI removing the de-energized wires at the site,” Frank said.