Last summer, we brought a vacant building and some vacant lots at the corner of 42nd & Chester to your attention. We noted that both the building and the lots seemed like nice development opportunities, given their proximity to Clark Park and University of the Sciences. So it was with no small amount of patting ourselves on the back last month when we alerted you to the fact that the lots would soon be redeveloped, with plans for two six-unit residential buildings. At the time, the were still no plans on the table for the empty building which last housed a deli.
Over the weekend, the fate of the deli was determined. According to City Paper, construction next door caused the side wall to collapse, and L&I is now in the process of demolishing the building. The sight of the partially demolished building caught our eye when we passed by yesterday.
Developers Shafer Properties LLC had apparently received a workmanship violation last month but it's only speculation on our parts as to whether the building collapse was directly caused by something relating to that violation. It seems likely that there will be an insurance claim from the deli's owners, the University of the Sciences. Remember, they were trying to sell the property last year for a too-high price of $425K after acquiring the property in 2012. With the demolition costs likely borne by an insurance company, it's possible that the sale of this parcel will be hastened. Or else the property will be tied up in litigation for years.
Here's hoping for the former.