Amity Construction and Design is still “very much interested” in developing the Housatonic Wire Co. property in Seymour, despite a fire that destroyed the factory building this month.
Russ Smith, the president of Amity Construction and Design, said his company is evaluating the issues that arose after the fire — such as environmental clean up — but has every intention of moving forward with plans for a $20 million mixed-used development at the site.
“We have no intentions of pulling the plug at this point,” Smith said Thursday.
Smith is scheduled to meet with Seymour officials and leaders from the Valley Council of Governments Monday to reiterate the company’s plans for the property.
The factory caught fire on the early evening of Sept. 11, after contractors were using blow torches inside to collect scrap metal from piping.
The Seymour Fire Marshal’s office ruled the cause of the fire “undetermined,” but said it was most likely caused by the blow torches being used by workers.
No one was injured in the fire, which started on the second floor of the factory building.
The building has been labeled unsafe because it could collapse as a result of the damage.
River Street has been closed since Sept. 11, because there is a slight chance the building could fall into the roadway and injure someone.
Smith said his company was planning to demolish the building as part of its redevelopment plans, but said that task is now left to Alex Budzinski, the current owner of the building.
The town had to pay for the emergency fencing to be placed around the property, and for partial demolition of the building in order to put out the fire, because Budzinski didn’t hold fire insurance on the factory, according to the Board of Selectmen.
“Those bills have already been sent to the contractors (who were working there that day) with instructions to send it to their insurance company,” Town Counsel Colleen Fries said at the Board of Selectmen meeting Tuesday.
Budzinski said more information — such as when the building will be demolished and the availability of Brownsfield money — will be available after Monday’s pow-wow.
After the building is torn down, it may be a few days until the wreckage is carted away because insurance agents will want to inspect, Budzinski said.
He said he was grateful for all the support he’s received from residents and town officials.
“Everyone has been great. I can’t thank them enough,” he said.
