Waterbury demolition is unsavory
1346 Webb Rd.
It’s easy to cheer the decision to demolish the city-owned house at 1346 Webb Rd (see pictures). As is described in this letter to City Council, it is fire-damaged beyond repair and has become a neighborhood eyesore.
1667 - 1669 Waterbury Rd.
The situation at 1667-1669 Waterbury (see pictures), the property the city acquired from HUD for $1, is not nearly as straightforward. The duplex is structurally sound, according to an inspection performed by the Division of Housing and Building in December 2008 (read here). The most significant issues identified were missing copper plumbing and light fixtures. With a reasonable amount of investment, it could return to a productive state.
A review of the complete housing inspection folder (read here) shows the property entered foreclosure during the late 1980’s and was then acquired by an inattentive owner who lost the house to foreclosure in 2007.
Even though it may have small units and a less than ideal location, it’s completely unsavory to knock it down purely for the purpose of expanding a parking lot, as the city is intent on doing.
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