LOWELL, Mass. (AP) - The owner of a Lowell apartment building where a fire last summer killed seven people wants to build a similar structure on the site, but some city officials are expressing doubts.
Property owner Sanjay Patel has signaled his interest in almost replicating the Branch Street structure, with a first-floor liquor store and about 10 housing units on the second and third floors. The old building has been torn down. His lawyer says Patel already has the financing.
The Sun (https://bit.ly/1DBT9ki ) reports that Mayor Rodney Elliott said at a recent city council meeting he has “serious reservations” about a similar sized building on the site. City councilors say the size of the building in a congested part of the city may have contributed to the July tragedy.
The fire was ruled accidental.
___
Information from: The (Lowell, Mass.) Sun, https://www.lowellsun.com
Please read our comment policy before commenting.