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Council moves to call public hearing and explore eminent domain for derelict Bradbury Manor
Summary
After decades of code enforcement and court action, city staff described collapsing floors, mold and hazardous materials at the former Bradbury Manor. The city attorney advised that eminent domain could let the city access grant funds; council asked staff to prepare an order for a public hearing.
The Belfast City Council directed staff to prepare a draft order and public hearing as soon as possible to address the long‑running public‑safety and environmental hazards at the former Bradbury Manor at 74 High Street.
Planning and Codes Director Bob Fournier told the council the building has ‘‘collapsed ceilings, collapsed floors’’ and no functioning life‑safety systems, noting mold, missing utilities and debris throughout. He said the city completed brownfields assessments and that demolition estimates in 2022 ranged from about $285,000 to $325,000. ‘‘I feel like we have exhausted every alternative,’’ Fournier said, describing the owner as noncompliant and the structure as unsafe.
Economic Development Director Thomas Ketridge said updated brownfields work shows demolition is the most cost‑effective way to abate asbestos, lead paint and other hazardous building materials and pointed to prior master‑plan language recommending demolition and redevelopment of the site.
City Attorney Kristen Collins summarized the legal options the city has pursued and the remaining constraint: the statutory dangerous‑building process and the court judgment give authority to take the building down but do not provide money to pay for an environmentally sensitive demolition. Collins said acquiring title to the property would allow the city to apply for funding that otherwise requires municipal ownership and told the council: ‘‘There are opportunities under the statutes to use eminent domain in a case like this where there’s public exigency.’’
Councilors repeatedly cited the immediate safety risk to neighbors, the collapsed structure and decades of unsuccessful remedy attempts. Several members said they were ‘‘on borrowed time’’ before the building causes a fire, collapse or injury. Rather than take a vote on a final order at the meeting, the council overwhelmingly asked staff and the city attorney to draft a proposed order and notice for a public hearing so the council can consider a taking or other steps at the next meeting.
Next steps: city staff will prepare a draft order, an assessment of damages and a public‑hearing notice for council consideration so the city can pursue grant funding and other remediation options if it becomes the owner.
