Business owners say city must fix its collapsing building

January 29, 2019 11:43 pm

PROVIDENCE, RI (WLNE) — Business owners are voicing their concerns about a city-owned building on Bough Street that partially collapsed in August.

“How many buildings in the city of Providence that you’ve seen have actually fallen down?” said Dean Perdikakis, owner of Freeway Car Wash across the street. “Luckily it was at three in the morning, so there were no cars parked on the street or there was no one walking on that street.”

They say they’ve been trying for three years to get the city to do something about the building.

“If we were East Side, this building would’ve been fixed instantly,” said Dean’s father, Costas Perdikakis of Freeway Car Wash. “But due to the fact that we’re in Olneyville Square, apparently we’re third–class citizens. And don’t forget, the mayor of Providence comes from Olneyville. So I think he needs to show some kind of understanding.”

They say the fact that the city owns the building creates a double standard.

“If a taxpayer owned that building and that building was to partially fall down, every inspector in the city would be there,” the younger Perdikakis said. “It would be condemned. They would have a restricted amount of time to knock it down. If it wasn’t knocked down, there would be fines.”

They say the city has not responded to their repeated requests, except for rejecting their offer to buy the property and build an office because it’s landmarked as historic. Records indicate the building was constructed in 1917.

But Dean Perdikakis points to a school for special needs children right next store, and says the city needs to act.

“It’s bringing down property value, it’s a safety concern, and quite frankly it’s an eyesore. And it’s definitely hurting this area.”

Other nearby business owners told me off–camera they believe the property is an issue. ABC6 reached out to city officials, but they have not responded.