Tom Ambrosino, the City Manager, has asked the Council to appropriate funds for demolishing the burned structure at 80 Warren Ave., which was destroyed in a fire following a domestic shooting on May 22, 2017.
For over a year, the charred remains have dominated the neighborhood landscape. Legal disputes between the property owner and insurance company kept the demolition from moving forward during that time. Residents living nearby have been forced to confront the visible aftermath of the violent incident that occurred that spring evening.
Ambrosino is requesting $25,000 from the Stabilization Fund to cover demolition costs. According to him, the owner lacks sufficient resources to pay for the removal. The City will proceed with the demolition and securing the site, then pursue reimbursement from the owner at a future time.
“I think it’s a great idea and long overdue,” stated Councillor Leo Robinson, a Warren Avenue resident. “I think it will mean a lot to the neighbors to not have to look at it every day and remember what happened there.”
The incident on May 22, 2017 involved a man who fired at his 10-year-old daughter and wife inside the home, forcing them to flee to a neighbor’s house for safety. Police arrived and the man barricaded himself inside. He subsequently ignited a major fire and opened fire on responding police and firefighters. Officers returned fire, striking the man, while the flames destroyed the entire structure.
The scene drew an extensive emergency response from both police and fire departments.
The Council will consider this request at its meeting scheduled for Monday, Sept. 24.