Hello Mike & GKane,

I did some checking on the property. According to the town, the owner of the property at 444 Center St. is a company called G&G Real Estate Associates LLC.

The 1.89 acre property was assessed at $874,400 based on the appraisal done during the 2006 revaluation. That value is 70 percent of the appraisal, but those figures don't matter much in the current real estate market.

There's a tax lien on the property and G&G is delinquent on about $36,000 in back taxes, and with new bills coming due the total comes to about $49,300. My guess is that the town isn't holding it's breath waiting for those funds.

The good news, however, is that Manchester's Board of Directors already has started discussing plans to demolish the building. I'm told that the topic was discussed at the board's August meeting, but I'm not certain that they came to any resolution as yet.

Keep any eye out for more information here or in the JI.

It seems like it is time to contact the manchester board to ensure this does not fall between the cracks of town government.

Excellent suggestion, gkane.

A demolition certainly isn't something a neighborhood can do in an afternoon, either. It's a pretty significant project. Lobbying the town may be the best option.

Before rt 384 was built Center St was the main road through Manchester so most of the town folks drove by this property so they would know how run down it has become. Today the traffis in low and I don,t think many have seen it lately. Maybe a few pictures would open some eyes. I will try to post some soon.

That's a great idea, Gkane, please do.

By the way, by coincidence there's a story about the property in today's newspaper from our Manchester reporter. I haven't seen it yet but it should provide a full update on the directors' plans.

Acknowledged by Doug Hardy

Stopped by Willie's today on the way back to the office. Here's a couple of photos...

Here's a link to the story:

http://www.journalinquirer.com/articles/2009/09/11/towns/manchester/doc4aa938961100d515258074.txt

one more

Goodmorning, I am responding to this through this rather than the Town's web site in light of the gravity of the request. The Town has been in court numerous times over the past couple of years with the owner. He had invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in the property before the bottom fell out of the economy last fall. The Town is moving forward with demolition after exhausting other legal options and commissioning an engineering analysis that demonstrated definitively that removal was the appropriate and legally defensible remediation effort for the property (rather than rehabilitation). Our economy and, indeed, our culture is built on the concept of private property rights. It is not, nor should it be, easy for government to take someone's property, tear it down and present them the bill for it. It is time consuming and process heavy to protect individuals from poorly considered government action. It may be frustrating to some but , in the end, it protects all of us. We all look forward to the elimination of this blight in the next weeks ahead as we bid the hazardous waste removal and the demolition even as I write. When the wrecking ball flies, it will be after exhausting all reasonable efforts to avoid this action and in full compliance with the law.
Scott Shanley
General Manager Town of Manchester

Thanks for the update, Mr. Shanley.

"When the wrecking ball flies, it will be after exhausting all reasonable efforts to avoid this action and in full compliance with the law."

Seems like this is a political way of saying, we will go after the little guy but tip toe around the big guy--

Straight question Mr. Shanley, does the Town of Manchester have the authority (legal right) to demolish this building today if the choose?

Folks,
Straight answer, we'll know in early February. The Town had started the process , accessed the property and completed the removal of hazardous materials as part of the demolition. The owner has challenged the Town's legal authority (as anticipated) to enter and demolish his property. A judge has stopped the Town from further activity until the judge hears arguments, scheduled for February 3 in court. Our position will be the truth. We exhausted all reasonable efforts to solve the problem short of demolition, have taken every step carefully, shown respect for the rights of the owner, and, stayed in full compliance with the law to eliminate this blight for the benefit of our greater Community. The owner will present his position,and, the Judge will rule. It may not be right away. I know it is frustrating that it takes time, but, I'm glad our government has checks and balances. It is now up to the Court.

Judge says town can demolish Willie’s buildings

By Kym Soper
Journal Inquirer

Published: Saturday, February 27, 2010 12:07 AM EST

A Hartford Superior Court judge on Friday rejected a property owner’s bid to block Manchester officials from demolishing the former Willie’s Steak House and the associated motel building, leaving a possible appeal as the owner’s only remaining hope to save the motel building.

“The bottom line is this structure is in a state of destruction, and, by definition, a public nuisance,” Judge Michael R. Seldon said. “The only proper way to abate this nuisance is the demolition of the two buildings.”

The property owner, G & G Real Estate Associates LLC, whose sole member is Winsted resident Peter Anastasopoulos, had sued to block the planned demolition of the vacant buildings at 444 Center St. The company said local officials exceeded their authority with the demolition plan.

Here's a link to the rest of the story for JI subscribers:

http://www.journalinquirer.com/articles/2010/03/01/towns/manchester/doc4b88a0ad0a679964720866.txt

Thank you Town of Manchester for not backing down.

Hey Gkane & Mike, would you two mind calling me? We are looking for some neighbors to talk to on the record for a story - possibly a video piece - on this property.
860-646-0500 x305

If you don't want to talk on the record you might be able to point us in the direction of folks who are willing to do so.

Thanks in advance,
-doug

Good bye to a wreck of a building. Maybe the town should put in a nice park with flowers, walking paths, benches so West End residents will have somewhere to take a stroll within walking distance? MJC, Dougherty Street

It appears the town has decided that it can move forward with the demolition without waiting for the 20-day appeal window. Read about it in Friday's JI - but yes the demolition work is under way.

I think the Town stepped up on this one. Way to Go Manchester

End of a landmark: Willie’s Steak House demolished

By Kym Soper
Journal Inquirer

MANCHESTER — A massive steel claw began ripping down the rear concrete walls at Willie’s Steak House and motel Thursday, ending an era and a contentious court battle.

“It’s a shame it had to come to this,” Director Rudy Kissmann said as he sat in the cab of his truck on Henderson Street and watched the claw expose the back rooms. “I can remember when this was a really nice place.”

At one time the restaurant at 444 Center St. had the only banquet facility in the area. After opening its doors in 1944, it became a hub for fine dining and entertainment through the 1950s and ’60s.

But in the last decade, the vacant and boarded-up buildings became an eyesore that aggravated town officials, who sought to remove it by using a new anti-blight ordinance allowing them to place a lien on the property, raze it, and charge the owner 18 percent annual interest until costs are recovered.

There have been hundreds of complaints from neighbors about the property’s condition that led to two court cases in the last three years.

Read more here:

http://journalinquirer.com/articles/2010/03/06/towns/manchester/doc4b9157a4d99e3543817182.txt

I believe the demolition work here is complete.