The unused building at the corner of Avon and School Streets sustained serious damage to its roof during last week’s patch of rough weather. — Photos by Donald F. Norton

By Donald F. Norton

A long deserted building at the corner of Avon and School Streets lost big portions of its roof from the huge winds and rain that struck the city throughout last week.

The property, which has a huge fence around it and has been abandoned for many years, is apparently owned by the MBTA own. According to the neighbor directly on the other corner, former Mayor Dot Gay, mentioned that they bought their home in 1973 and the building has sat there unoccupied for all that time. She saw that a big portion of the roof came off and notified the city and local Ward 3 Alderman Bob McWatters. Alderman McWatters immediately put forth an order at the last Board of Alderman meeting for the city to notify the owners to do something about it and to report back to the Alderman.

Dot Gay has said that over the years she has asked them to take care of the building and that it has been standing there doing absolutely nothing for many years, as far as she knows.

Online records show that it is the property of the MBTA, and it is rumored that the MBTA used the property many years ago when the city had the old electrical buses which have long since been gone.

It has been suggested by many concerned residents that the city should look into seeing if the MBTA might want to sell the property.