The former McCourt Label building on West Washington Street is one of four properties the Bradford City Board of Health declared a public nuisance on Tuesday.
The board made declarations on the following properties at their public meeting: 144-146 W. Washington St., 298 E. Main St., 19 Miller St. and 7 Lowell Ave.
Regarding the former McCourt Label at 144-146 W. Washington, Mike Cleveland, building inspector/health director, said the rear portion of the roof has collapsed, there is significant water damage, and there are smaller issues such as broken windows and rotted window frames.
He noted there is evidence that there is still electricity on in the building, which concerns him.
Cleveland clarified that the building is a separate building from a nearby structure that houses Smith Brothers and apartments.
When Councilman Tim Pecora asked, “Do you feel that they can salvage the building at this point?” Cleveland replied that while he believes every building can be salvageable, he does not believe this would be worth it, particularly the back portion.
Speaking on behalf of the Board of Health, Attorney Daniel Lang said he has been in touch with Attorney Stan Pecora, who represents the building owner. The owner does not have the money to fix it, and Pecora was hoping someone would buy it from him.
No building sale has materialized.
Council asked a few more questions before voting in favor of the designation.
Cleveland indicated the order gives the building owner 30 days to address issues or appeal the order before the city has authority to step in.
As for 298 E. Main St., Cleveland explained the porch on the front “is in danger of falling on public walkways and streets.” He said the home is double boarded and smells like animals.
An attic fire occurred in January 2019 in 19 Miller St., said Cleveland. The fire caused significant damage to the roof, as well as significant water damage throughout the house.
The owner did not have insurance on the home, he noted.
At 7 Lowell Ave., “There’s nothing really specific” that makes it a nuisance, just “more or less the property’s been left open and neglected,” said Cleveland.
He explained that there are mold and moisture problems in the house, and the ceilings are coming down because of the moisture. Vagrants and rodents have caused further damage to the home.
The Board of Health voted in favor of declaring all four properties that went before them as public nuisances.
