MIDDLETOWN — The owner of the former O&W train station at Wickham and Low avenues says he wants to put condominiums and businesses there, but a few things stand in his way: The property is zoned industrial, damage from a 2004 fire hasn't been fixed, and the city says he owes back taxes.
Al Ferrante, a partner in O&W Properties Inc., spoke last week at a 3rd Ward residents' meeting at City Hall. He was invited by Aldermen Ray Depew and Miguel Rodrigues.
On the ground floor, Ferrante envisions shops, a railroad museum and a drugstore. For the top, it's condos.
"When you buy a condo, you take care of it. It's your own," Ferrante said.
The audience was receptive to seeing the historic building restored, but they voiced concerns. Condos are fine, said Lisa McDowell, but she suggested that when someone buys one, they be required to live in it — not rent it to someone else.
Pat Foti asked how many condos, and how many bedrooms they would have. Ferrante declined to answer. Foti said there could be problems if families with kids moved in, because the building sits next to the railroad tracks.
Ferrante said if he gets an approval, he'll put $4 million into the building. But he's been battling the city for three years.
"I went to the Common Council many times, and I got zero, double zero," Ferrante said. "I am not gonna spend a dime until I know what the city is going to do."
Audience members said that lack of spending extends to maintenance, and that squatters and trash have been problems since the fire.
"He had that place rented," Foti said. "They had that fire, and he let it go all to hell. You go by there now, a piece of glass will fall on your head."
Public Works Commissioner Jacob Tawil said Ferrante is under City Court order to board up the windows.
Resident Ken De Leeuw said he doesn't want the city to miss the boat the way he believes it did five years ago with the old armory building. "These men are willing to spend millions of dollars," De Leeuw said.
Ferrante has a track record: He restored the Crawford Building on King Street, which now houses seniors and the DMV.
According to city records, O&W Properties also owes $90,833 in back taxes since 2005. After the meeting, Ferrante said that wasn't true — and then reiterated that he won't spend until the city gives him answers.
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