Demolition of Lifetouch building is back on track

DERBY — Demolition is back on for the former Lifetouch Studios property downtown.

Shelton developer Joe Salemme last month called off plans to take down the dilapidated building at 90 Main St., saying there were some “unnecessary expenses” involved, and that he was going to “rethink” plans for the site.

Salemme bought the blighted building that sits on 1.19 acres in 2017 for $250,000. He since has invested more than $100,000 into the property with associated remediation and environmental cleanup costs.

However, after Mayor Richard Dziekan and several other city officials reached out to Salemme, he said certain issues have been resolved, and demolition is set to take place early this week.

“After the decision was made to hold off on the demolition of the Lifetouch building, the economic development director, building inspector and the mayor of Derby, reached out and asked what needs to be done to move things forward,” Salemme said. “My position was and is Derby should not be any more difficult or expensive to redevelop property than surrounding towns. I’m not looking for special treatment, only a fair playing field . ... I think Derby has incredible potential and I’m excited to get to work.”

Salemme said part of the reason demolition was put on hold last month had to with costs associated with a fire watch during demolition, which Salemme said other towns he has worked with do not require. Salemme and the city since came to an agreement in which a fire watch will be provided, and city firefighters were to be granted use of the building over the weekend for training exercises.

“A portion of the fire watch is covered by the in-kind services provided by Mr. Salemme allowing the department to train there,” said city Chief of Staff Andrew Baklik. “The building is being demolished and the city worked with the property owner to come up with a creative way to ensure the safety of the demolition while respecting the approved process of fire watch, which is exclusively governed by Fire Commissioner Gary Parker.”

While Salemme doesn’t have definitive plans for the site, he is leaning toward apartments. He said in addition to monety already

spent onenvironmental cleanup, he plans to invest another $20 million into its development. Salemme is the developer behind the Hawk’s Ridge development, a 109-unit luxury housing complex across the Housatonic River in Shelton.

The defunct Lifetouch property — which for decades served as the hub for school photography — sits in a highly visible location near the Route 8 south on-ramp, and is part of the city’s long-vacant downtown redevelopment zone.

Development of the Lifetouch site will tie in with a major overhaul of the downtown area slated by LePore Bros. for Factory Street, Baklik said, which will include a mixed-use development of market-rate apartments, retail and restaurants.