The last great race to the finish line began Wednesday morning at the former Sports Haven, where a crew began the long-awaited demolition of the storied Long Wharf video-betting complex. A crew from the Carabetta construction-affiliated JJ Brothers Demolition got to work around 10 a.m. at tacking one side of the oil drum-shaped, off-track betting venue that was built in 1979 and that has been vacant since last December.  Oddsmakers put completion of the methodical step-by-step takedown at about two weeks from today. “We’ve got plenty of room here to work,” Johnny Carabetta of JJ Bros. said from within the fenced-off perimeter. “Should be easy.” “A lot of it’s stucco and steel. It’s not very complicated at all,” said City Building Official Bob Dillon. Dillon and city Demolition Officer Jose Romero were on hand to monitor the work, as memories of crowds cheering on live-video horse races (or watching their paychecks disappear) crumbled to the pavement or rose into the clouds The work was originally scheduled to begin in early July. Reasons for the delay included finishing up permitting paperwork, according to Dillon. No dynamite will be used to take the building down; it will instead be done with excavators. The property’s owner — an affiliate of the Queens, N.Y.-based Criterion Group — bought the building in 2021, and secured the demolition permit in early June. They have not yet publicly disclosed their plans for the site. Paul Bass contributed to this report. Building Official Dillon, on site with city Demolition Officer Jose Romero: Odds look good for two-week completion, The post And They’re Off! Sports Haven Teardown Begins appeared first on New Haven Independent. ...read more read less