W. Rick’s Taproom awaiting demolition permit
It has been four months since an overnight fire destroyed W. Rick’s Taproom and Grill, and the restaurant’s owners are awaiting permits to demolish the shell that remains at 269 Meridian Road in Butler Township.
Jesse Hines, Butler Township zoning officer, said Monday, June 17, that the township condemned the property and gave the owners 60 days to demolish the structure. The contractor for the demolition has reached out to the township for permits, but the township needs the green light from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection before it can grant the permits, Hines said.
“You can’t tear down commercial buildings unless you do an asbestos report and handle the asbestos properly,” Hines said. “The contractor has applied for the demo permit, and the last thing we’re waiting on to issue that permit is how they are handling that asbestos.”
According to Hines, the contractor conducted the asbestos study on June 12, and the results should be in within the next week.