It sits vacant, empty for years and years. A fire from a druggie in the upper apartment caused a lot of damage in July 2004. I spoke to a former owner a couple of years after the fire.
He told me the building inspector told him he would be allowed to make improvements while he repaired the damage under a grandfather system (that would not impose new building codes on the old structure). But once he had the interior stripped out, a new building inspector changed the rules and required that the remodel bring the space up to modern building codes. He felt the change was unfair, as well as more cost than he could absorb.
The building has since sold. Assessor records show Ruston Building, LLC bought it in March 2007.
He told me the building inspector told him he would be allowed to make improvements while he repaired the damage under a grandfather system (that would not impose new building codes on the old structure). But once he had the interior stripped out, a new building inspector changed the rules and required that the remodel bring the space up to modern building codes. He felt the change was unfair, as well as more cost than he could absorb.
The building has since sold. Assessor records show Ruston Building, LLC bought it in March 2007.
Is there any role for us as a community to help get this building back on track? Is encouragement enough? Is there more the town's elected leaders could be doing? It's a tough time in the market right now, but throwing out some ideas can't hurt. It would be great to see something positive happening in this empty space.
