Building gone after roof collapse

DUNKIRK — A demolition that had been planned for next year got a little push.

After a collapse on Oct. 29, the former Watson’s Sporting Goods store on Main Street is no more, Mayor Jack Robbins reported to the city’s council and board of works Monday.

A portion of the roof on the building at 102 to 108 N. Main St. — on the west side of the street just north of the railroad tracks — collapsed on the evening of Oct. 29. (There were no injuries as a result of the incident.) The building has since been demolished, with dozens of dumpsters full of debris being hauled away.

Robbins noted that Dunkirk Industrial Development Corporation, which has taken possession of the building from previous owner Patty Bishop, was scheduled to meet Tuesday to discuss ideas for the site. (The transfer was already in process before the roof collapsed.)

The mayor indicated that it was already known the building would need to be torn down after years of deterioration. The roof collapse pushed up that timeline.

The building had also housed a barber shop and Bennett’s bar.

Also Monday, Robbins said he has met with grant writers and hopes to have a representative from engineering firm Beam, Longest and Neff at the next council meeting on Nov. 22. The firm is working on the city’s five-year master plan for its utilities.

Council member Bryan Jessup also pointed out that the city was awarded Community Crossings funds last week for street paving (see related story).

Jessup praised the Community Crossings program in which the state offers grant funding for local road projects. He also mentioned the Hardest Hit Fund Blight Elimination Program, through which Dunkirk was able to demolish and clean up a series of properties beginning with a $176,000 grant in 2014. (That program closed to new applicants in 2018.)

In other business, council:

•Learned city leaf pick-up will be Nov. 19 and 24, as well as Dec. 3 and 10. Leaves must be bagged and put at the street by 10 a.m. on the day of pick up. Loose leaves will not be picked up.

•Heard from Robbins that Christmas decorations are set to go up in the downtown area next week.

•Was reminded that the city’s annual Feel the Warmth of Christmas celebration is scheduled for the evening of Nov. 29. Santa will be at Glass Capital Grill, and various businesses will be open to take part in the event.

•Heard from Robbins that the city continues to be short-staffed in its police department. The resulting overtime and use of part-time help to cover shifts will have a significant impact on the department’s budget, he warned.

•Learned the water department will be flushing fire hydrants today, Thursday and Friday. Residents may experience low water pressure and water discoloration.

•Approved payment of claims totaling $139,718.36.

Earlier in the evening, the board of works:

•Heard from Robbins that Brad Barger has been named the city’s new street and parks superintendent. Barger previously worked for the water department. He replaces Mike Kreps, who died Oct. 16.

•Approved paying a claim of $24,046 to Peerless Midwest for a new well pump and cleaning at the water department.