'Burgh former restaurants being demolished

Demo work at rear of former restaurants. / City of Troy photos

The buildings that had been home to the Lansingburgh restaurants Trader Eds's and Hot Dog Charlie's have been condemned and City workers are in the process of demolishing the structures.

The two structures, located at 624 and 630 2nd Avenue, each were more than a century old. Both were gutted by a 2011 fire that began in Hot Dog Charlie's -- the original location of what eventually grew into a local chain -- and spread to the adjoining eatery. The businesses have been closed since then and been in continually deteriorating condiition.

The demolition work means 2nd Avenue is closed to vehicular traffic between 115th and 118th streets until the project is completed.

The impetus for the teardown came today (Friday) when Mayor Carmella Mantello issued an emergency declaration.

In a statement, Mantello explained that "I issued an emergency declaration for demolition this afternoon after our Code Enforcement was working proactively on quality of life issues and noticed the owner’s contractor tearing the roof off without a permit. After an engineer and fire inspection, these buildings are a major public safety hazard to our residents and city workers.

"Both owners will be billed and issued tickets and fines. Should the owners not pay it will go on taxes, and then if not paid [the buildings will be] foreclosed and the City will sell the properties (potentially merge properties) to a responsible person and/or developer."

Worker hoses down former Hot Dog Charlie's.

Former Trader Ed's restaurant.

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