School Streeet apartment building being knocked down a year & one-half after fire

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LACONIA — More than a year-and-a-half after it burned, a large multi-family residence, housing six apartments, at 158 School Street in the Lakeport section of the city is being demolished.
Planning Director Shanna Saunders, whose responsibilities include code enforcement, said yesterday that Paul Fortier of Nashua, the owner of the property, was on "a countdown clock," explaining that he had been ordered to demolish the building by a date certain or face legal action. "It has been a very lengthy process," she said, adding that she is pleased that demolition has begun.
Last May, almost a year after the fire, no steps had been taken to either demolish or salvage the building. At the time, Fortier told The Daily Sun he intended to raze the most severely damaged part of the building and rebuild what remained in anticipation of selling the property. At the time, he explained said that city officials treated him fairly.
"As long as you keep them informed that there is some progress, they are very patient," he remarked.
Saunders said that once demolition is complete, the site will be inspected to ensure that the building is down, the debris removed and the lot secure. "We will want to make sure the property is safe," she said, "and that there are no problems with stormwater or erosion."
Fortier purchased the property, which sits on a 0.28-acre lot at the corner of School Street and Sheridan in May, 2003 for $237,530 as an investment. The building was last assessed at $21,800 and the lot at $51,600 for a total property value of $73,400.
Fortier could not be reached this week for comment on what his current plans are for the property.