I 'think' we heard Bennett on the news last night say they are aware that there were 'vagrants' that came and went in that building. We were eating dinner and tv was on in the background. Did anyone else hear the same thing?

Quoted from MOONGLOW

Last night the news reported of a fire at the Summitt Towers in Sch'dy.   The fire did not spread past the apt. where the fire originated.   The sprinklers did function properly in this case and the fire was contained therein.   How ironic when compared to the Jay St. disaster.   Sadly the gentleman who lived at the Towers later died at Alb. Med.

Just curious, I thought Summit Towers was an MHA complex.   I might be wrong, but if it is MHA, then smoking is banned in the apartments I believe.

And that fact that the sprinklers went off and contained the fire is precisely why it is somewhat interesting that the city code people did not at least temporarily condemn the Jay St buildings.  The systems were expired is what they said so soon after the fire.  But while I get that something can be expired but can still be working (just a piece of paper with a future date printed on it), why didn't the city state in the same sentence, whether they were actually working?  Such as "the certification had expired, but we tested them and they were working,"

And the mayor says that the taxpayers will up front the money for the demo, but why did he fail to state whether the owners (of both buildings) had insurance policies in effect AND ON FILE IN CITY HALL as required by the city?   IF there is no insurance, McCarthy of course won't have the guts to go after the assets of the owners, just like not going after Popolizio's assets after he didn't have insurance.

Quoted from bumblethru

I 'think' we heard Bennett on the news last night say they are aware that there were 'vagrants' that came and went in that building. We were eating dinner and tv was on in the background. Did anyone else hear the same thing?

I heard that too but whatever news source I heard it on used the word transients, which actually isn't necessarily the as vagrants even if it was implied to be the same.

Quoted from mikechristine1

Just curious, I thought Summit Towers was an MHA complex.   I might be wrong, but if it is MHA, then smoking is banned in the apartments I believe.

And that fact that the sprinklers went off and contained the fire is precisely why it is somewhat interesting that the city code people did not at least temporarily condemn the Jay St buildings.  The systems were expired is what they said so soon after the fire.  But while I get that something can be expired but can still be working (just a piece of paper with a future date printed on it), why didn't the city state in the same sentence, whether they were actually working?  Such as "the certification had expired, but we tested them and they were working,"

And the mayor says that the taxpayers will up front the money for the demo, but why did he fail to state whether the owners (of both buildings) had insurance policies in effect AND ON FILE IN CITY HALL as required by the city?   IF there is no insurance, McCarthy of course won't have the guts to go after the assets of the owners, just like not going after Popolizio's assets after he didn't have insurance.

Summit Towers is all section 8.
Ever been in there? YIKES!!!
It's a major sh!thole.

Quoted from mikechristine1

I heard that too but whatever news source I heard it on used the word transients, which actually isn't necessarily the as vagrants even if it was implied to be the same.

You are correct! They did say TANSIENTS. My bad.
thanks for the clarification.

Possibly if the bldgs. owners lacked insurance or an amount that will cover the demo. costs the city can seize the property as an asset.    Then turn it over to Plex.  Then possibly developement will commence-retail/high rise upscale condos. and the like.   Can see something there by end of 2016.

Quoted from bumblethru

You are correct! They did say TANSIENTS. My bad.
thanks for the clarification.

No prob.  Certainly different news channels could use different words.   And many think of transients as the vagrants/bums who find places to live in (without the knowledge of the property owner) and some think of transients as people who move frequently.

http://news10.com/2015/03/18/third-set-of-remains-identified-in-jay-street-fire/

The Schenectady Police Department has identified another set of remains from the Jay Street fire.

The victim was identified as 33-year-old Berenices Suarez. She was a resident of 104 Jay St.

Quoted from mikechristine1

why did he fail to state whether the owners (of both buildings) had insurance policies in effect AND ON FILE IN CITY HALL as required by the city?   IF there is no insurance, McCarthy of course won't have the guts to go after the assets of the owners, just like not going after Popolizio's assets after he didn't have insurance.

-the lawyers are looking at the insurance policy-   all causes of loss are covered except those which are excluded. the coverage on the first 2 pages is followed by 20 pages of exclusions and limitations.

andI hope they are figuring out when and how will they test for asbestos and lead  before the  dust starts flying  ?

The community really came together to support the Jay Street Fire Victims.  They still have needs and will need our prayers, assistance and or understanding presence in the months ahead.  As these 70+ people struggle to get back on their feet again. we have another 20 people who were made homeless by a fire on Albany Street.  If you want to assist - contact the Salvation Army.   They are accepting donations of clothing (they especially need socks and underwear for adults) and financial contributions.
When the chips are down, Schenectady is a generous and supportive community.  That is why I consider it a privilege and the greatest joy of my life to be a Schenectadian.  All that is good about our community will ALWAYS have the power to overcome whatever is negative, bad or broken in our community.

What responsibility does the code enforcers carry since it was 'they' who gave the building a green light just the day before?