Published: 3/30/2022 4:26:49 PM
Modified: 3/30/2022 4:25:53 PM
ORANGE — The town was forced on Tuesday to close until further notice the portion of West River Street from South Main to Pleasant streets in light of structural concerns at the old cereal factory building at 16-36 West River St., which Police Chief James Sullivan said is reportedly in imminent danger of failure.
Sullivan asks people to avoid the area while Orange works to garner resources needed to remedy the problem and make the spot safe for vehicles and pedestrians. He said the town is trying to prevent all trucks from going through the area, and less vehicle congestion will help the situation.
“We’re asking people familiar with the area not to drive through that neighborhood if possible,” the chief said Wednesday afternoon, adding that his department hoped to have at least half the detours marked by Wednesday night. “If the people that know that area can avoid that area, that would help.”
Sullivan said the town is trying to contact the building’s owner before going to court for an emergency demolition order. He is unsure of the owner’s identity but said the building has been vacant for many years.
“It’s most likely going to result in a demolition,” he said. The Orange Selectboard “just has to figure out how they’re going to do it.”
Sullivan explained Building Commissioner Jeffrey Cooke had an engineering firm examine the building, determining the structure was in imminent danger of failure.
“When it fails, they’re anticipating it’s going to fail into West River Street,” he said. “It would spill across the entire road.”
Sullivan said Cooke has been monitoring the building since he was appointed building commissioner in the fall, and he called in the engineering firm after noticing considerable movement of the structure’s walls. The chief mentioned the spot of most concern is the corner nearest Pleasant Street. He said the building’s windows “have been popping out of it,” showering the sidewalk with glass that must be removed.
Sullivan said the building was built in 1890 and spans 59,394 square feet, or 19,798 square feet on each of its three floors.
Reach Domenic Poli at: [email protected] or 413-772-0261, ext. 262.
