By MARK TODD - Staff Writer - mtodd@starbeacon.com
CONNEAUT — A vacant downtown building that partially collapsed during a heavy rainstorm two weeks ago will be demolished by the owner, city and county officials said.
Rudy Pryately Sr., owner of the former Eagles Club headquarters at 193 Main St., informed the Ashtabula County building department he will raze the brick building rather than repair it, said Dave Smith, the county’s chief building inspector.
“(Pryately) said he wants to take it down,” Smith said.
Demolition permits will be issued once the building has been checked for hazardous material, such as asbestos, as required by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Smith said.
Water apparently pooled atop the building during the storm, causing the roof to collapse. A section of the rear wall also gave way when the roof fell, city officials said.
A private contractor brought to the scene by the city knocked down additional bricks that were loose.
Harbor Street in front of the building was closed to traffic for a few days until the building could be strengthened. Barriers erected around the building to keep traffic and pedestrians a safe distance away are still in place.
The building, built in 1918, served as the Eagles clubhouse for years until the organization transferred to a new location a short distance away. The most recent tenant was a coffeehouse that closed last year.
