Hearing for Brownsville theater owner continued
A hearing scheduled for today regarding building code violations at the former Plaza Theater in Brownsville has been continued until Oct. 14. Assistant District Attorney John Kopas requested the continuance due to a scheduling conflict, the latest of several continuations of a hearing that originally was scheduled for Feb. 21, according to the county clerk of courts office.
The first testimony in the case was heard March 24, with Brownsville Borough presenting its case against the building’s owner, Ernest Liggett, noting falling facade and the lack of a roof on the building.
The defense began and called several witnesses when the hearing continued June 17. Defense attorney David Taylor said he had about 10 witnesses to present and would need a full day to conclude his case, moving the hearing to today’s date.
During the June testimony, an engineer testified that the building is structurally sound, despite the lack of a roof, and while he could see evidence of the fa?ade falling in the past, he could not determine if any of the existing facade was loose.
Taylor also argued that the borough had an agreement with Liggett dating back to 1995 regarding acceptable maintenance standards for the building. Judge Steve Leskinen directed Taylor and Kopas to prepare briefs regarding the validity of the pre-existing agreement.