Chemung County Considers Purchase Of Former Bank Building

[TTL News 307]

At tonight's meeting, the Chemung County Legislature will consider whether or not to buy the former Five Start Bank Building, located at 150 Lake Street in the City of Elmira.

While no official use for the building has been announced, the county could use the building for some departments of the county government. 

If the purchase is approved, the price for the building is reported to be one million dollars. 

[KarenK 382]

Claiming poverty and buying buildings.  Granted, it's probably in better shape than some of the one's they are currently using however, they will need to unload those if they move.

[Chris 2,155]

In regards to the resolution to buy this building, a couple legislators stated last night that they came into the meeting ready to vote "yes" to the purchase of this building. However after the public comment portion of the meeting, a couple, including Legislators Brennan and McCarthy, stated that there's too many unknowns about how the building would be used and it makes them uneasy.

Marty Chalk made a motion to table the resolution, which was seconded by Brennan. It looked as though it stood a good chance of being tabled. 

There was some more discussion about the issue, including Scott Drake and Brent Stermer pointing out that there are other interested buyers for the property, and that if tabled, the county could miss out on the opportunity. 

Brennan then rescinded his second of the motion to table the matter and the resolution was passed with all "ayes", except Michael Saglibene abstaining.

 

[Adam 373]

1 hour ago, Chris said:

There was some more discussion about the issue, including Scott Drake and Brent Stermer pointing out that there are other interested buyers for the property, and that if tabled, the county could miss out on the opportunity. 

Im wondering if they fail to understand another party buying the property means it stays on the tax rolls, whereas if the County buys it, it does not....

 

[Ann 263]

25 minutes ago, Adam said:

Im wondering if they fail to understand another party buying the property means it stays on the tax rolls, whereas if the County buys it, it does not....

 

It’s what we do.

[KarenK 382]

1 hour ago, Adam said:

Im wondering if they fail to understand another party buying the property means it stays on the tax rolls, whereas if the County buys it, it does not....

 

I think they want to move all the county stuff over there together where they have more space and more modern facilities.  Haven't read up on any of it until I saw the news but I did see a blurb about

moving somewhere.

[Chris 2,155]

Interesting that someone spoke at last night's legislature meeting, a person told them that there was an interested buyer in this bank building. According to the speaker, this would have converted the building into a medical research facility bringing "200 bodies" to downtown Elmira. Meanwhile, the county had no tangible plans for the building, at least not that the public was aware of. 

Not sure if this is true or not, but it's interesting. 

[MsKreed 1,172]

20 minutes ago, Chris said:

Meanwhile, the county had no tangible plans for the building, at least not that the public was aware of. 

The comments and discussion from numerous department heads and legislators indicated that it's not just the public who isn't aware of tangible plans.

As far as I can tell, no one has articulated any valid reason for the County to buy it other than basically "it's for sale now, so we should grab it now and decide on some use for it later". 

Edited May 9, 2023 by MsKreed

[Chris 2,155]

6 minutes ago, MsKreed said:

As far as I can tell, no one has articulated any valid reason for the County to buy it other than basically "it's for sale now, so we should grab it now and decide on some use for it later"

That was the impression I got when watching the discussion and vote about the purchase of the building.