Owner of Jay Street buildings files claim against Schenectady

PHOTOGRAPHER: Haley Viccaro

The owner of two buildings neighboring two former buildings on Jay Street that burned down in March filed a notice of claim against the city for damages and repairs.

Ashok Mirpuri, who owns 96 and 108 Jay St., filed a notice of claim — a precursor to a lawsuit — with the city of Schenectady earlier this month to possibly be reimbursed for repairs to his two buildings caused by the Schenectady Fire Department and Jackson Demolition.

The buildings were damaged during and after the fatal fire at 100-102 and 104 Jay St. Mirpuri’s buildings sustained heavy water damage when the Fire Department was battling the massive blaze and roof damage from the demolition of 100-104 Jay St. after the fire.

The buildings on Jay Street house the Executive Lounge in 108 Jay St. and Persian Bite and Bel Cibo in 96 Jay St. The three businesses have been closed since the fire on March 6.

Mirpuri said the inside of the two buildings has been cleaned out and the electrical systems will be replaced soon. He is still waiting on his insurance company to determine how much in repairs his insurance will cover.

“I wanted to get the claim in on time just in case,” he said. “I didn’t put any numbers on it because I don’t know what the numbers will be. The insurance hasn’t settled on anything yet. If the insurance won’t pay me, then I would be looking for the city to pick up the bill.”

Mirpuri said Persian Bite is looking to relocate in Schenectady, possibly on Union Street, and Bel Cibo might expand into Persian Bite’s space next door. The Executive Lounge plans to stay in its current location.

Mirpuri added that the sidewalk in front of his two buildings needs work after damage from debris.

The sidewalk in front of 100-104 Jay St. was recently replaced by the city, along with light posts, according to Acting Commissioner of General Services William Winkler. All that remains is paving of the street.

“We intend to pave from the front of the burned lots right up to the corner, and from the curb out to the middle of the road,” he said. “We can’t do it right now because we are waiting on National Grid.”

There are a total of 13 claims against the city regarding the Jay Street fire to date.

In addition to Mirpuri’s claim, the families of three people who died in the fire along with six former tenants of 100-104 Jay St., one business owner and the two property owners have filed claims.