looking into reacquiring the former Harrisville Dry Kiln (HDK) property. The current owners of the property have expressed an interest that they are willing to donate the property to the LCIDA. Bestway Enterprises Inc., of Cortland, the parent company of HDK Wood Products, closed the plant in July of 2013. The equipment and contents of the property were auctioned off in October of 2013, after attempts to find a turnkey buyer for the operation were unsuccessful. The property was owned by the LCIDA and leased to Bestway. In July of 2014, the property was purchased by LPS Real Estate for $300,000, and they remain as the current owners. The approximately 40 acre property,located at 8023 Washington Street in the Village of Harrisville, has sat dormant since the departure of HDK and its nearly 30 jobs. The property is hooked into the village water system and has a septic system on site, as the village does not have wastewater system. The LCIDA is currently looking into having a Phase I Environmental Impact Study done, as well as a professional appraisal of the property. A five year analysis on the costs of carrying the property has been computed. The property currently carries an assessed value of $300,000, with yearly property taxes (including county, town, village and school) estimated at between $12,000 and $13,000 per year. If acquired the LCIDA would need to determine if they would pull the property from the tax rolls or continue paying taxes on the property while marketing it to a potential buyer or tenant. The five year analysis, which includes property taxes, insurance, water and electric, maintenance, and security, would put the cost of carrying the property at roughly $225,000 for the five year period. If after five years the LCIDA hasn't found a use for the property, it could be sold to recoup as much of that money as possible. "It's a gift, I say we take advantage of it," Roscoe Fawcett, LCIDA Board Chairman and Lewis County Legislator, told the board during a recent meeting. The full board will be taking a trip to view the property and the condition of the buildings still remaining. The board agreed to continue moving forward with the process of the steps needed for acquiring the property. " Lewis County Economic Development gaining control of the Harrisville site fits our strategy to develop smaller commerce sites in different locations throughout the county," LCIDA Executive Director Eric Virkler told us. "We hope that we can acquire the property in Harrisville and then we would be able to provide a below market rate to attract a new business," he said. |
| LCIDA Considers Accepting Former Harrisville Dry Kiln Property 03/17/16 09:30am |
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