CARROLLTON, N.Y. — Code enforcement officer John Helgager has filed legal remedies with Carrollton Town Court for the former Casey’s Restaurant, as well as another large building on Main Street.
The court will review the orders March 13, Helgager said Monday.
Casey’s, which sits on Bailey Drive, off U.S. Route 219, has been in a state of decay for several years. The historic structure is owned by Greg Ralph, who could not be reached for comment.
“It will be up to (the court) on how they’ll handle this,” Helgager said. “Hopefully, they’ll be demolished.”
Carrollton Town Supervisor Jim Stoddard said he, too, hopes the structures will be demolished. Casey’s sits across the street from his business, the Western Steer store.
“It’s a legal process, and to do it the proper way just takes time,” Stoddard said of Casey’s, which has been an eyesore for years. “Sometimes you have to use the whole legal process.”
“We’ve done everything we could possibly do. At some point you have to pursue the legal process. … Everybody in Limestone is tired of seeing it.”
Casey’s, believed to be one of the oldest buildings in Cattaraugus County, is expected to have a high demolition fee due to required asbestos removal.
The building’s current condition is a stark contrast to its folksy image of the past.
In 1959, a picture of the business was published on the cover of Life magazine. The photo featured a lively piano bar scene with a pianist leading a sing-along by spirited patrons at Casey’s. The picture caught the imagination of the country and world — and created a whirlwind of business for the rural enterprise.
The building had a succession of owners over the years. By 2012, it reached a state of disrepair, while 2013 was the first year town officials looked to have the building demolished.
In other news, a broken-down mobile home that sat abandoned on South Nine Mile Road from November through February has been finally removed from the side of the highway, Helgager reported Monday.
The mobile home was on Seneca Nation of Indians territory and was removed through the actions of Nation officials, he said. The mobile home had been hauled to South Nine Mile Road in mid-November by three Great Valley residents and was abandoned next to the road after it broke down. Brandon L. Maynard, 32, and passengers Sandra K. Watson, 47, Todd E. Clark, 53, and Jacob E. Clark, 28, were charged by the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office in connection with the incident.
Helgager said a Dumpster had been set up near the mobile home, and it was likely taken apart and removed from the site in that manner.
In another bid to clean things up, Helgager plans to send notices to approximately 10 property owners in the town and the hamlet of Limestone who have maintenance violations.
“This will remind them of maintenance issues … such as junk and debris on the property,” he said.
Also in violation are abandoned and unregistered vehicles that are left on properties, he added.
“If they are collecting junk (professionally) they have to have a fence around the property,” Helgager said. “We’re just enforcing the current codes.”
Those served will be given 90 days to clean up their property.
“Some of the properties that are major violations will receive notices (soon) so they can make plans to clean up,” Helgager added. “That will give them plenty of time.”
