Board of Estimate & Contract:
RESOLVED, that a resolution adopted by the City Council on September 11, 2024, and signed by the Mayor on September 12, 2024, authorizing the Use of City Funds for the Emergency Demolition of the Property Located at 19 South Terrace Avenue - (funds for this emergency demolition are available through the Emergency and Unsafe Conditions, Budget Code A.3620.443 for $60,000.00, combined with $38,000.00 from Budget Code A3620.405ARP, totaling $98,000.00 for the completion of the project), be and the same is hereby approved.
City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE
USE OF CITY FUNDS FOR THE EMERGENCY
DEMOLITION OF THE PROPERTY
LOCATED AT 19 SOUTH TERRACE AVENUE
Whereas, by letter dated August 19, 2024, the Commissioner of the Department of Buildings has certified that there was imminent danger that required urgent demolition due to unsafe building conditions at the property located at 19 South Terrace Avenue, which had a high risk of collapsing and needed to be demolished immediately; and
Whereas, the property located at 19 South Terrace Avenue, Mount Vernon, New York, owned by Prime Paradigm Inc. (1358 Hooper Avenue, Ste 408, Toms River, NJ 08753), has been vacant since May 2016 due to structural instability; and
Whereas, between 2016 and the present, the property has experienced multiple fire incidents and has been the subject of numerous complaints from neighbors regarding unsafe conditions, including the partial collapse of the chimney, exterior and interior walls, retaining wall, and falling debris from the building; and
Whereas, on July 23, 2024, the City of Mount Vernon received a Complaint (COM-24-794) regarding the collapsing condition of the building at 19 South Terrace Avenue; and
Whereas, upon inspection, the City confirmed that the building was in imminent danger of collapse, which posed an immediate threat to the adjacent property located at 21 South Terrace Avenue and the life safety of surrounding residents; and
Whereas, pursuant to Chapter 106, Subsection 5 of the City Code, in cases where there is immediate danger to life or safety due to an unsafe building, the Commissioner is authorized to cause the immediate repair, vacating, or demolition of such a building; and
Whereas, on July 24, 2024, the City of Mount Vernon, in compliance with Chapter 106, Subsection 5, commenced the emergency demolition of the property at 19 South Terrace Avenue to eliminate the hazard and prevent further danger to life and property; and
Whereas, the City obtained three (3) estimates for the emergency demolition and selected Webb Development, the lowest bidder, which has previously completed similar demolition work for the City; and
Whereas, funds for this emergency demolition are available through the Emergency and Unsafe Conditions Budget Code A.3620.443 for $60,000.00, combined with $38,000.00 from Budget Code A3620.405ARP, totaling $98,000.00 for the completion of the project; Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved That
The City of Mount Vernon, in City Council convened, does hereby ordain and enact:
Section 1. Authorization for Use of City Funds. The City Council hereby authorizes the use of $98,000.00 in City funds, as follows, to cover the cost of the emergency demolition of the property located at 19 South Terrace Avenue:
• $60,000.00 from budget code A.3620.443 (Emergency and Unsafe Conditions)
• $38,000.00 from budget code A3620.405ARP
Section 2. Emergency Demolition Contractor. The City Council authorizes the acceptance of the lowest bid submitted by Webb Development to conduct the emergency demolition work at 19 South Terrace Avenue, Mount Vernon, New York.
Section 3. Definitions:
• Zombie Home - a property that has been vacated and is often in a state of disrepair, abandoned, or at risk of falling into such condition.
• Emergency Demolition - rapidly demolishing a structure deemed unsafe and an immediate threat to public safety.
• Unsafe and Dangerous Conditions - structural conditions that pose an immediate hazard to life, property, or public welfare due to instability, decay, or damage.
Section 4. Purpose of Demolition. The purpose of this emergency demolition was to prevent the immediate collapse of the building located at 19 South Terrace Avenue, which posed a significant risk to the adjacent property and the life safety of nearby residents.
Section 5. Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect upon its approval by the Board of Estimate & Contract.