Last Tuesday, Attorney Michael Cole appeared in City Housing Court on behalf of the owners of 56 Harvester Avenue, for an update on the demolition process. Harvester Center LLC, principal owners William Golden and John Wachter, managing partners of Amerinac Holding LLC are the owners of the property.
Cole reports the demolition of six buildings has been completed and the owners were planning to crush the 3-4 large piles of brick that remain on site. Debris removal is a requirement of the permit according to City Attorney David Fitch. The plan was to have the brick crushed on site by March 2026.
According to City of Batavia Code Enforcement Officer Doug Randall, because of a City Ordinance, the bricks cannot be crushed and pulverized on site, they must be removed from the location. Cole told the court that the owners thought it was an environmental issue that prevented them from crushing the brick. The owners must also make repairs to adjacent buildings (next to the structures that were demolished) that still have brick hanging from the structure.
“Where the buildings meet and portions were removed, layers of brick need to be hand removed where there is jagged brick,” Randall advised Cole. Randall also said wood and mortar also needs to be removed, and the soil inspected by an asbestos inspector.
Cole advised that the brick is clear of asbestos and an asbestos monitor will do a final report. He says in 45 days he expects the repairs can be made and they will be compliant.
Due to the change in plans for brick removal, Cole requested an adjournment to discuss a new plan with the owners of 56 Harvester. Judge Durin Rogers agreed and the two sides will come together again on January 12th. Rogers also requested that Cole come to court with a game plan already in place and in writing.
