CITY OF NEWBURGH – The roof leaked and mold grew, even as the sparkling waters of the Quassaick Creek gurgled beneath the rotting floors of the hulking, blocks-long building.

Once home to a mill, and more recently a string of sundry businesses, the red-brick structure straddling the Quassaick on upper Broadway in the City of Newburgh was once deemed so unsafe that firefighters had a standing order to avoid entering, developer Victor Cappelletti said.

Now, drawn to the potential of its “good bones” and massive size, Cappelletti is in the process of resurrecting the long-vacant, 100,000-square-foot structure, which is designated as 639 Broadway but actually combines four addresses.

Since last summer, Cappelletti has been emptying the building of debris, replacing windows and marketing the property to firms looking for office, light-manufacturing and retail space. In April, engineering and planning firm Barton & Loguidice became the first tenant after leaving a smaller space on Broadway.

“There’s a lot of potential,” said Cappelletti, who runs Newburgh Commercial Development Corp. with his father, Vincent Cappelletti. “I think it could be a nice plaza, if it’s done right.”

Newburgh Commercial Development Corp. bought the property for $287,500 in 2014.

Previous tenants include a carpet company, a furniture manufacturer and the Powder Creek Mill. More recently the building has been used by a series of businesses, among them a fitness gym, nightclub and a coffee-roasting business.

In addition to hauling away debris, repairing the roof and gutters, and tearing out walls, Cappelletti also demolished one section to create an outdoor courtyard.

While the work continues, he has been showcasing spaces to interested businesses, one of them a distillery.

“We could pretty much build anything right now,” he said. “Depends on what they want.”

Barton & Loguidice occupies a shining 2,800-square-foot space bathed in light from body-sized windows and characterized by exposed ceilings and duct work. A door leads to an area overlooking the creek.

For about four years, Barton & Loguidice rented space at another NCDC property in Newburgh, 280 Broadway, said Glenn Gidaly, regional business development manager for the firm.

In need of more space to accommodate new hires, the firm was drawn to the building’s size, its industrial look and the chance to have Cappelletti build based on their design.

On Sept. 14, the firm will host an open house to showcase their space, which has six employees but will host another four to five by the end of the year.

“This building just excited us because we were able to see the potential of it and we want to be part of the revitalization of the city,” Gidaly said. “We feel like we’re pioneers here and we’re looking for other pioneers to join us in the building.”

lsparks@th-record.com