Derby averts possible tragedy by taking wrecking ball to blighted buildings

By Jean Falbo-Sosnovich
Register Correspondent
DERBY >> Another longstanding eyesore met with the wrecking ball Thursday.
Two blighted commercial buildings at 67-69 Minerva St. were demolished, marking the end of a years-long struggle with the property owner to remove the unsightly and unsafe multi-story structures.
The property, owned by Bridgeport Developer John Guedes, formerly housed a vintage auto shop, and industrial heat treating facility, according to Building Inspector Carlo Sarmiento. It has stood vacant for the last 15 years and has been decaying at a rapid rate. Large sections of the buildings were open, exposed to the elements over the years, prompting city officials to engage its beefed-up blight laws to get the building demolished.

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