Jul. 3--NORFOLK -- Just in time for Harborfest, the debris, overgrown weeds and two small lakes that have been on the site of the failed Granby Tower condominium project for more than a year are being cleaned up.

Earlier this week, workers began draining rainwater that accumulated in two large holes.

Friday morning, crews began using two earth movers to mow down the weeds, remove construction debris and level out mounds of dirt.

Workers referred questions to developer Buddy Gadams, who did not return phone calls.

City officials had warned Gadams months ago to clean up the site, which sits at the entrance to the downtown restaurant row on Granby Street. Gadams reacted by installing black mesh on fencing surrounding the site.

Rod Woolard, Norfolk's director of economic development, responded in an e-mail he had not been informed of what work is going on at the Granby Tower site. But he added: "I am confident that they were doing what they committed they would do when this question came up sometime back."

Granby Tower was to be a $180 million, 34-story condominium project that would have been the city's tallest building, and the second tallest in the state. It would have had 302 condo units ranging in price from $270,000 to $1 million, as well as some retail and office space.

However, it fell victim to the collapse of the financial markets.

After losing his financing, Gadams halted construction in September 2007, two months after Turner Construction began work on the project.

Gadams' company, 515 Granby LLC, has been the subject of numerous lawsuits ever since. Several people who placed deposits to hold condos have sued to get their money back. Many have been settled out of court.

Turner Construction and subcontractors are seeking more than $20 million in payment for construction costs. Norfolk Circuit Court records indicate those cases will go to trial in October.

Gadams has not spoken about the project publicly in months, but city officials say he continues to search for financing to resume the project.

Harry Minium, (757) 446-2371, harry.minium@pilotonline.com

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