HAVERHILL — One week after a piece of the Woolworth building's exterior masonry fell to the sidewalk, City Councilor William Ryan is calling for the structure to be torn down. He plans to discuss the safety of the building and its future when the council meets tonight.
"It's been left to such disrepair that it's falling apart before our eyes," Ryan said. "Enough is enough."
"It serves no purpose other than as an eyesore at the city's entrance," he said of the building at the eastern end of downtown.
As a temporary measure, the city has installed a barrier of scaffolding at the corner of Merrimack and Main streets.
Mayor James Fiorentini has ordered a thorough inspection of the building, which will take place this week, said city Building Inspector Richard Osborne.
Ryan said the city has put up with the crumbling structure long enough, and now that pieces are falling from it he wants the structure torn down.
"I'm going to plead with the mayor to take action," Ryan said. "Are we going to have it roped off for another 10 years? It's a disaster waiting to happen."
The 15,000-square-foot, yellow brick building has been vacant since F.W. Woolworth Co. closed it in the 1960s. Then came hope for its revival when, near the end of 2005, the nonprofit Greater Haverhill Foundation bought the property from its longtime former owner, Richard Cretarola. Cretarola inherited the building in 1993 from his late father-in-law, William "Sam" Conte.
The sale sparked speculation that various 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.
The Greater Haverhill Foundation is an economic development corporation that works closely with the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce. The foundation's president, local attorney Richard Sheehan, could not be reached for comment.
Osborne said the building's owners have hired a masonry contractor and engineer to evaluate the entire exterior this week and he plans to inspect the interior Thursday.
"If I feel it is structurally suspect, I will request a structural survey to be done by the fire chief, who then would assemble a survey team to fully evaluate the building with recommendations to repair, restore or remove the structure," Osborne said.
Ryan said he would like to see the property turned into a park with pedestrian access to the river.
"The foundation should work with the city and pay for it to be torn down," he said. "If we have to, we will place a lien on the property."
City Council President Michael Hart said the owners should be given a chance to rectify any problems uncovered by the inspections.
"If in fact the building poses a danger, it turns the situation into something the city can do something about as the owners have to maintain a safe structure," Hart said. "But I have every reason to believe the owners will take whatever action is necessary to secure that building. They are definitely a responsible entity and will do the right thing."
Chamber President James Jajuga said he has been working with the foundation to market the property, which city officials have called a key to redeveloping the Merrimack Street end of downtown.
"I've spoken to some folks who have great ideas for the building, but it's a question of pulling finances together," Jajuga said. "But at this time there isn't a lot of activity in the commercial real estate market."
He said he plans to meet with a foundation representative this week to discuss the building's future.
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