Wide Open Saloon can be rebuilt on same footprint within 1 year
LACONIA — Work to demolish the remains of the Wide Open Saloon at the Weirs, which was severely damaged by fire in the early morning hours of September 17, 2010, finally began yesterday. Anthony McConnachie Farm and Construction Company of Hampstead is undertaking the work for Brandi Baldi, the principal of 38 Endicott Street North, LLC, the owner of the property.
According to the demolition permit issued to Baldi, the work is scheduled to be completed Wednesday, September 12. City Manager Scott myers said that if the building is not razed on time, in keeping with an order issued by the 4th Circuit Court-Laconia Division last year the city could demolish the building and bill the owners for the cost of the work. However, he doubted it would be necessary to invoke the court order.
After the fire, the charred remains of the building stood for nearly two years, its demolition stalled by several strands of litigation. Baldi appealed a court order, sought by the city to demolish it, pursued a claim against Lloyds of London, her insurance carrier, and sued the New Hampshire State Fire Marshall for withholding information about the fire. At the same time, the firm that installed the alarm and sprinkler systems sued Baldi for failing to pay for the work.
As early as May of last year other business owners at the Weirs urged the City Council to take steps to hasten the demolition of the building, which they described as an eyesore casting a pall over the resort community that placed its hotels, cottages, restaurants and attractions at a disadvantage.
Myers said that the city settled with Baldi, noting that both parties agreed not to seek attorney's fees and court costs from the other. The New Hampshire Supreme Court rejected Baldi's claim against the fire marshal while the outcome of the remaining suits is unclear.
Planning Director Shanna Saunders said yesterday that once the demolition is complete, the owners of the property will have one year to make a good faith effort, which could amount to filing a site plan or pulling a building permit, to rebuild on the same footprint, without being bound by changes in the zoning ordinance enacted since the original building was constructed.
Baldi could not be reached to comment about future plans for the property.
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