Taunton officials tour junk-strewn, structurally-compromised Star Theater building

Michael ODonnell removed some of the junk hed spent years stockpiling in his Star Theater/Leonard Block building, but certainly not all of it.

A tour on Wednesday revealed an ample quantity of flea-market-variety items strewn about, in what years ago was the retail-store section of the 142-year-old structure. There was also evidence ODonnell or his associates had been engaged in a haphazard attempt to make serious, structural repairs.

A nonprofit created in 2002 by ODonnell bought the four-story building that year from businessman Jeffrey Antine for $154,400, according to Registry of Deeds records.

The citys law department, on behalf of the fire and building departments, had filed complaints in housing and superior courts to either force ODonnell to make significant structural repairs or hand the building over to the city.

After a nearly four-year court battle, a housing court judge opted for the latter in September, forcing the 50-year-old Roslindale native to relinquish ownership of the building to the city. The judge gave ODonnell until Dec. 2 to remove personal items from the dilapidated building.

By agreeing to the terms of the court, ODonnell avoided having to pay the city nearly $210,000 in back taxes and fees and from a costly, months-long, round-the-clock fire watch previously ordered by the fire department.

The building has three separate entrances. The middle one, at 109 Main St., is a staircase leading to the theater, which is technically located on the second floor. The 107 and 111 Main St. doors open up to what decades ago functioned as retail space.

ODonnell lost his bid to hang onto the building, in large part due to engineering reports noting the necessity for significant structural repairs and improvements. ODonnell could often be seen either by himself or with a small crew making repairs to the buildings exterior.

One of the more dramatic examples of the buildings deterioration, and ODonnells inability to keep up with repairs, can be seen on the fourth floor, directly above the Star Theater near the back-roof deck.

During the tour, Taunton Building Department Superintendent Wayne Walkden pointed out what he said was a feeble, and dangerous, improvised attempt by ODonnell to replace a rotten wooden support beam.

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Taunton officials tour junk-strewn, structurally-compromised Star Theater building