Developer keeps pushing for funding to redevelop old Holley High School
File photo Tom Rivers: Developers want to convert the old Holley High School, which has been vacant for two decades, into apartments and offices.
HOLLEY – A developer continues to work on securing funding for the renovation of the old Holley High School, Mayor Brian Sorotchy said.
In May, the mayor announced the project was not funded in this year’s competitive Homes and Community Renewal financing round, but that developers were updating the application for the next funding round this fall.
On Tuesday, Sorochty said Edgemere Development, which is partnering with Home Leasing on the old Holley High School project, is currently pursuing a “separate funding source” for the portion of the project which involves the move of the Village of Holley offices to the school.
The process involves the village registering for the NYS Grants Gateway program, Sorochty said. The Gateway program provides assistance in locating funding opportunities through state agencies.
Village attorney John Sansone will review any necessary paperwork, Sorochty said, to make sure that the village is protected if funding does not end up coming through for the entire school renovation process.
He explained that Edgemere specializes in seeking out funding sources as part of the development process.
Photo by Kristina Gabalski: A large pile of broken-up concrete was recently dumped on a lot located on Jackson Street in the Village of Holley. Neighbor Glenn Hughson says he wants the village to take action to have the material removed.
In other business, Jackson Street resident Glenn Hughson asked for help from the board regarding the dumping of “ten trailer loads of concrete” on property across the street from his home.
The property is located adjacent to and just west of the former Diaz chemical plant. The person believed to be the current owner does not live on the site but Hughson said a contractor working for the owner dumped the concrete.
“I can’t be looking at this,” Hughson said.
Sorochty said the village is aware of the situation, but village code enforcement officer Ron Vendetti said he felt the village was “hand-cuffed” over taking any action.
Hughson told the board he believed the EPA had taken the property and leveled the site.
Sorochty said he was not aware if the property had changed ownership.
Sansone, the attorney, advised that as a first step, the village needs to determine who owns the property.
