Paul Daeres has been in the property management business for over 40 years, and over that time he’s gained some noteriety as the owner of the now-demolished Paramount, the vacant Pascal and Emerson’s building, the home demolished yesterday on Dorchester and Sewell Streets, and other neglected properties.
Daeres tells CHSJ News the negative reputation is undeserved. The property manager claims out of the 25 to 30 properties he owns, 90% of them are occupied–and he’s only had to demolish 2 buildings that belonged to him in the past 20 years. Further, he blames the decline and eventual demolition of the Paramount on the failure of the city to step in with the cash to reonnovate it.
Mayor Mel Norton has spoken out strongly against the possibility of a parking lot on the former Paramount site, calling it the “worst possible” use of a prime location. According to the Mayor, Daeres promised decades ago to develop various lots and failed to do so–and, given the number of vacant buildings he owns–there’s little confidence in his ability to follow through as a developer.
To that, Daerus says he has tried numerous times to reach the Mayor’s office and meet about various issues surrounding his buildings, but his calls haven’t been returned.
