A city landmark will be no more. One result of the blaze that hit downtown Dunkirk last Wednesday night is clear, the Masonic Temple building will be coming down.
The Dunkirk Common Council passed two walk-in resolutions Tuesday that provided the legal framework to put the demolition in motion. The late resolutions were the topic of discussion during an executive session called as council's workshop session began.
Resolution 25-2010 was first to pass and it required Building Inspector Alan Zurawski to inspect, "or seek the necessary professional opinions to insure the safety of the residents of the city of Dunkirk relative to the condition of 323-325 Central Ave."
The resolution also called on Zurawski to report to council as quickly as possible on whether the building is a danger as "soon as administratively possible."
That didn't take long.
"We are going through some emergency demolition ... we've deemed the building unsafe at this time," Zurawski reported.
With Zurawski's report in mind, Second Ward Councilman Kevin Muldowney made a motion.
"As a result of the oral report and the report that we did receive from the building inspector, that we request the building inspector to serve notice to repair or remove 323-325 Central Ave.," Muldowney stated.
The entire council agreed to sponsor the resolution, which read in part, "all costs and expenses incurred by the city in connection with the proceedings to repair or remove such building or structure, including the cost of actually repairing or removing the same, shall first be invoiced to the owner or his representative."
The resolution goes on to state that a lien could be placed on the land if necessary.
After the meeting, Zurawski explained the procedure.
"We have to follow the (City Code) Chapter 18 and that's precisely what we have to do to protect the city and to continue on just if something doesn't go right," he said. "It's normal procedure in these situations."
Zurawski added the building owners have been very helpful and cooperative.
"We've made them aware that notices are coming," he said. "They're well aware of it that we have to follow procedure. ... We've been in constant contact everyday. ... We expect that the building owners will be taking the building down with their contractors."
Zurawski said the emergency demolition is continuing with the goal of taking down anything that could fall over on its own or with a little help from Mother Nature.
"We reassessed the timetable today," he stated. "It will still be a few days, they're doing it by hand ... to take the wall to a safe level."
Mayor Richard Frey said the executive session was necessary to inform council about the demolition-related resolutions..
"We had to do the legal end ... we need to give them the opportunity to understand what we were doing prior to doing it," he explained.
Frey was asked if there would be more such resolutions.
"This is our first," Frey replied. "I do need to emphasize the Graf Building, the county office building, is clear to go. They're in and out of there already. I think they're moving people onsite to clean up, do the smoke removal the water damage whatever it is."
Frey added the owners have put a lot of effort into getting the building on the road to recovery.
I can't thank them enough."
And Liberty Square?
"That might be another resolution, but at this point right now I don't have that," Frey replied.
With the Dunkirk Fire Department releasing the scene to the city Tuesday afternoon, the Building Inspector's office, along with the Police Department and the Department of Public Works, will be in charge in a joint venture to provide security and safety at the Central Avenue site, according to Zurawski.
"It will always be a public safety issue until the building is completely down," he said.
The fire and all that went with it was talked about during the meeting. The man leading the city had, as expected, plenty to say. After thanking everyone involved in any way, the mayor pointed to a decision that may have played a role in holding down the damage.
"I think one of the greatest things Common Council and ourselves did three years ago, we did a fully paid fire department," Frey said. "A professional fire department in the city of Dunkirk and I tell you what, it really shined last Wednesday night, but on top of that the big picture is without volunteers, we would never have been able to do what we did that night under the direction of our paid fire department.
"It's not over with last Wednesday night, it's not over with last Thursday morning. We've been at the table two or three times a day for the last six days with meetings on what's going on."
Brooks Memorial Hospital personnel were prepared for the worst after seeing the fire, according to Frey.
"Thank God it didn't happen," he said. " ... You can be very proud of Dunkirk. I'm really proud of our fire department and our volunteer firemen and I'll tell you what, I go to bed every night, like I've told you, I know I'm in good hands when they're watching the city of Dunkirk."
Council members used their report times to comment on the fire.
"We're sitting here that night putting a letter together, ... and these guys are across the street risking their lives and injury," said First Ward Councilman Michael Michalski.
"Sometimes tragedy brings out the greatness in communities and it definitely did that night and I'm talking about the whole Northern Chautauqua community," Muldowney stated. " ... As the economic development chair I would like to try and flip things a little. It's a terrible tragedy and there will be a mourning time for that building but there will be another day, and hopefully we will have a new life on site."
Third Ward Councilwoman Rose Floramo thanked some churches for offering what they could to help and added, "we find there's no division during a crisis, it's wonderful."
Both Fourth Ward Councilwoman Stacy Szukala and Councilman-at-Large A.J. Dolce added their thanks as well.
"What I was most impressed was the team effort amongst the fire department and all the departments within City Hall," Dolce said. "It's no secret we don't always get along, but there's no evidence of that this past week. Everyone put forth their best effort just to get us where we're at right now, and despite the large tragedy I feel we're in a good spot moving forward to handle a crisis like this."
A press conference is scheduled today at 2 p.m. in City Hall to provide further information on the ongoing efforts to move ahead in the aftermath of the fire that destroyed a Dunkirk landmark.
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