By Mike Rego
EAST PROVIDENCE — “There is a god!” So said Ward 3 City Councilor Joe Botelho enthusiastically as one of his term-long aims, to see the dilapidated former residence near the intersection of Pawtucket Avenue and Wampanoag Trail toppled, finally come to fruition late last week.
Demolition crews swiftly brought down the two-story structure on Thursday, Oct. 11. For most of the last two years, Mr. Botelho has urged the city and the property owner to come to an arrangement to raze the structure. The effort was met with fits-and-starts due to local and state mandates.
"It's great to see that the derelict house at one of city’s major intersections has finally been reclaimed,” Mr. Botelho said last Thursday.
The status of the property located at 2779 Pawtucket Ave. has been in flux for several years and for the better part of 2018.
In July, Department of Public Works Director Steve Coutu informed the council an agreement was reached then between the city and the owner to cut off water access in the street allow to move forward with demolition. He added at the time, the owner had requested the proper permits from the city to begin demolition, pending review for state and local officials.
The effort eventually reached a climax at the September 18 council meeting when Acting City Manager/East Providence Police Chief Chris Parella told the body an asbestos abatement plan for the site submitted to the state has been approved by the Department of Health, pending a 10-day appeal period. He also told the council the owner of the property had hired a vendor to tear down the one-time residential/commercial structure.
As for the future of the parcel, the proprietor is expected to use it now to enhance the other properties he owns nearby.
“I believe the owner will use it to facilitate parking for his two adjacent business units,” Mr. Botelho said. “Things are looking up.”