Bert’s still stands.
It turns out that the town’s plans to swiftly raze the landmark eyesore, which has been slowly decaying for more than a dozen years, were overly optimistic. For reasons that aren’t entirely clear, demolition of the abandoned restaurant building at the entrance to Long Beach has been delayed.
“Given the sensitivity of the location, complexity of a demolition and history of the structure the process is taking additional time compared to our original expectations,” said Jason Silva, the town’s director of inspectional services, in a Sept. 29 memo to the Select Board. “We are confident that the unsafe structure will be removed as soon as possible.”
In July, Town Manager Derek Brindisi told the board that an order would soon go out demanding that the owners of the building demolish the structure within 60 days. That order was issued July 31 without specifying a timeline, but Bill Sims, the owners’ attorney, said town officials verbally told the family – heirs of George Demeter, a Boston real estate developer and banker who bought it in 1994 – had 60 days to clear the blighted site.
On Aug. 18, the town approved a zoning permit to demolish the building, according to Silva’s memo. On Aug. 25, the owners applied for a permit to demolish the structure. That permit was issued on Sept. 3.
At some point, the owners put up fencing, as ordered.
But in his memo, Silva said that notwithstanding the issuance of the permit, the town needed more information from the owners to make sure that all regulations were being followed. He said his office has been in contact with the demolition contractor, the owners, and Sims, who did not immediately respond to requests for more information.
Silva said that pest control and asbestos reviews have been completed and he that he was awaiting a schedule of police details and a plan for the demolition. He added that he requested a meeting with the demolition contractor and would have a date for demolition after that meeting.
On Thursday, Silva said he did not have any updates. Casey Kennedy, the town’s communications coordinator, also had no new information to share, though she made it sound like Bert’s may be around for some time still.
“The building commissioner continues to work with the owner and contractor on the demolition of the building, and we are hopeful this structure will come down by year’s end,” Kennedy said, referring to Silva. “Other than that, there is unfortunately no further update.”
Fred Thys can be reached at fred@plymouthindependent.org.