HAVERHILL — The owner of the Woolworth building has begun a structural analysis to make sure there is no danger or more concrete falling to the sidewalk.
Yesterday, an engineer and a mason hired by the owner went over the vacant building's exterior, looking for problems with its masonry, such as loose mortar joints or bricks that are not level. The city's building inspector took a close look at the interior. The study came after a concrete block fell from the structure last week.
The owner and city leaders continue to debate the downtown building's future — whether it should be demolished or remain standing. They expect to receive a report from city inspectors today.
Yesterday, Mayor James Fiorentini said he expects the building will eventually be demolished, even if the report shows it is structurally sound.
"In all probability, whoever buys this building will probably knock it down," Fiorentini said. "There is not parking there, which is the main reason it has been vacant all these years."
The building's owner, listed by the city assessor's office as the Greater Haverhill Foundation Limited Realty Trust, hired Paul Bergman of Bergman & Associates Inc. in Haverhill to study the building. Bergman and a mason used a hydraulic lift to carry them to the building's roof and upper areas during yesterday's four-hour inspection.
"As an engineer, I go up there looking for problems, then I'll report to the owners accordingly," Bergman said.
Fiorentini said city Building Inspector Richard Osborne reviewed the interior along with Bergman and three other city inspectors.
Fiorentini said a preliminary report shows the roof needs repairs and some plywood must be shored up — but that there is no imminent danger of collapse and no need for him to issue an immediate demolition order.
"The building was built to last, but at some point it will need repairs," he said.
The building, at the eastern entrance to downtown, was constructed nearly 90 years ago. It has been vacant and deteriorating on the banks of the Merrimack River since F.W. Woolworth Co. closed a department store there in the 1960s. City officials, merchants and residents have repeatedly called for the building to have new tenants as Haverhill works to resurrect its downtown.
Four years ago, the Greater Haverhill Foundation bought the building, but it continues to remain vacant. The concrete that fell from the building last week prompted the architectural study.
After yesterday's review, the mayor said the building is actually attached to the concrete footing of the Basiliere Bridge, which is next to the building.
"If the building were to be taken down, they would have to make sure they did not damage the bridge footings," Fiorentini said.
The mayor said the next step will be to inspect the building's steel reinforcements. He said he expects to have the building inspector's report today and that he would make it public.
The Woolworth building was discussed at this week's City Council meeting. Councilor William Ryan said the building should be demolished and replaced with a park.
Ryan was referring to the Greater Haverhill Foundation's unsuccessful attempts to sell the property since buying it four years ago for $1.4 million. According to city assessor records, the 1920s building, at 2 Merrimack St., has an assessed value of $741,500, including the roughly half-acre it sits on.
At the council meeting, Ronald Trombley, an officer of the Greater Haverhill Foundation Realty Trust, said he expects to have a report for the council to review at its Feb. 2 meeting.
Trombley and the mayor said they will aggressively market the property at a downtown developers conference the city plans for this spring. The foundation, a nonprofit economic development corporation that works closely with the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce, bought the property in 2005.
Yesterday, chamber President James Jajuga said he expects quick action to be taken by the owner once the report on the building is ready.
"My feeling is this will move very quickly if the report is negative as to the current state of the building," Jajuga said. "If it is a safety hazard, I think you'll see a quick reaction."
He said the chamber has an agreement with the foundation that the chamber will market the property.
Trombley cautioned the council that demolishing the building now might not be the best course of action, and that there is an upside "down the road."
The foundation's purchase of the building four years ago had sparked speculation that developers were interested in building a high-rise condominium complex with retail shops and a restaurant on the ground floor. A public park facing the Merrimack River and new boat docks were envisioned as well.
Yesterday, Ryan said the city has put up with the vacant building for more than 40 years and that it is time to take action.
"It is hurting downtown business and it hurts the city," he said. "Nobody is at fault here. The problem with the building has evolved over time."
Ryan said that even if the engineering report shows that the building is sound, he will still call for it to be torn down.
"We can turn that property into a beautiful park," he said.
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Woolworth building
Address: 2 Merrimack St.
Owner listed by city assessors: Greater Haverhill Foundation Limited Realty Trust, 70 Bailey Blvd.
Assessed value of land and building: $741,500
Built in: 1920s
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