Massena secures funds to clear fire rubble

MASSENA — The piles of rubble from three downtown buildings destroyed in a January fire will soon be cleaned up, Mayor Randy G. DeLosh announced earlier this week. The village has secured funding from a federal Community Development Block Grant for the three business owners to remove the remains.

The asbestos present in the rubble tripled clean-up costs. Kelly M. Greene, one of the owners of Tony's Pizza, said she would have "cried" without the help from the village.

"Since the fire, we've been talking with the agency to possibly use the money to remove the blight downtown," said Everett E. Basford, village administrator. He said the business owners approached the village for help at that time as well.

No announcement has been made about how much money will go to the businesses.

The village hopes to receive work bids in the next two weeks, Mr. Basford said. He refused to discuss estimates of what the work will cost.

"It benefits us and the village and the community," Kathleen J. Novosel said. Ms. Novosel owns Novosel Associates, which burned down. It is currently operating from a room in her home. "It's returning downtown to what it was before."

The federal grant was intended to redevelop housing downtown. It was awarded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development in 2006.

To facilitate the cleanup, the village has asked permission to use the empty parking lot behind Slavin's Furniture and Jewelry store for vehicles involved in the debris removal.

"I'm pro cleaning up downtown Massena — not only the burnt-out buildings, but Water Street," said Michael D. Slavin, company spokesman. However, he said he is concerned about liability issues and possible damage to his lot.

Mr. Basford said that liability would not be an issue because protection clauses would be inserted into contracts with the workers.

Ms. Novosel says she is eager to rebuild and move back into a real office. She plans to start working on the design of the new building within the next few weeks.

"I'm just happy that through this we have an opportunity to more forward faster," she said. "I haven't wavered" in wanting to move back downtown.