By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – City officials are allowing work to resume at the Webb Building on Pearl Street downtown, where a construction worker fell to his death last Tuesday.
A stop work order was issued last Friday because a check for work permits had bounced. Developer Rocco Termini, who is in charge of the Webb Building renovations, has provided a certified replacement check, along with documentation of a bank error.
A city inspector visted the construction site Monday. The inspector said he could not talk with WBFO News as he left the construction site. The city's Commissioner of Economic Development, Permit and Inspection Services Richard Tobe met with Mayor Byron Brown late Monday morning, when the decision was made to lift the stop work order.
Termini purchased the Webb Building from developer Carl Paladino in December, and started the $9.2 million renovation in January. He's converting the long vacant structure into apartments and a daycare center.
Meanwhile, Erie County District Attorney Frank Clark has launched an investigation into last Tuesday's death of Jonathan Fundalinski of Elma, to find out if criminal negligence or reckless conduct were involved.