It appears the house atop the mudslide on North Oak Avenue won’t be torn down until at least Thursday.
Building officials met with representatives from the homeowner’s insurance company Wednesday afternoon to determine who would foot the bill for the demolition costs at 161 North Oak Ave, according to the city’s head building inspector Elliot Wilson.
The house is on the brink of falling down a steep embankment after a mudslide Tuesday washed away the ground around its 100-year-old foundation. At the bottom of the hill is the Riverview Condominium Complex and a brook.
Wilson on Wednesday evening said the insurance company requested the city get three bids from demolition companies to compare and find a fair price.
Wilson would not say whether that meant the insurance company has agreed to pay the bill, referring that question to Mayor Mark A. Lauretti.
“We have one bid so far,” Wilson said. “The other two will be in by tomorrow morning… The mayor makes the final decision.”
Lauretti said it’s still not clear who is paying. He said he was not at Wednesday afternoon’s meeting and wasn’t given a definitive answer yet about whether the property is insured.
“We’ve got a responsibility to protect the public’s interests here, whether it’s financial or public safety,” Lauretti said. “Public safety always takes precedent.”
Meanwhile, the condo association for Riverview plans to have large trees and other debris from the landslide removed Thursday morning, said Jim Sidoruk, the association president.
The association plans to pay about $8,000 to $10,000 upfront for the removal costs, and duke it out with the insurance company to get reimbursements later, Sidoruk said.
The Scene
Wednesday, North Oak Avenue was bustling with activity. The short dead-end street was filled with news vans, staking out the building to get a shot if it came tumbling down.
Family members of the evacuees across the street from 161 North Oak Ave. came back for additional clothes and personal items.
Fire officials were on scene, guarding the house to make sure no one went near it. Lauretti said he has officials checking in on the structure throughout the night.
And neighbors were preparing for another night of waiting, some with tailgating props like beer and hamburgers.
So will the house fall down during the night?
“Nobody has a crystal ball. My guess is no,” Lauretti said. “But if it happens, I’ll be wrong and I’ll look foolish.”
