Tenants wait for OK to move in at Holley Gardens

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – A worker cleans in the stairwell at the former Holley High School, which is being transformed into 41 senior apartments and the offices for the Village of Holley.

Wednesday was supposed to be the move-in day for several of the tenants but it has been pushed back due to concerns about the coronavirus.

Most of the 41 apartments are complete with additional work needed on the dozen apartments in the basement. The first and second floors are done.

Home Leasing in Rochester, which spearheaded the $17 million project, also is working on the space in the former auditorium, which will become the village offices. The site will be known as the Holley Gardens.

The company is asking state officials for a date for the tenants to start moving in.

This is the hallway on the second floor where the apartments are ready for residential living. Home Leasing started construction in November 2018 on the project. The school was built in 1931 and closed after 1975. It was vacant for more than two decades. It was last used by a manufacturing company, Liftec, which went bankrupt.

The lockers serve a decorative function. Home Leasing sandblasted the locker faces, and gave them new coats of paint. New handrails stretch throughout the hallways.

Carrie Valone is the site manager for Home Leasing. She said there has been a strong response from the community for the apartments. Only four of the 41 are available.

Tours of the building in February were a big seller of the apartments, Valone said.

“People are ecstatic,” she said. “It holds strong memories for the people around here. Plus, it’s brand new and the rents are affordable.”

George DeRue (right), Home Leasing’s vice president of historical preservation, served as the construction manager for the project. He has 30 years with Home Leasing. He shows an apartment to Ron Vendetti, Holley’s code enforcement officer and grants manager. Vendetti graduated from Holley in 1971. He said Home Leasing has done an amazing job with the construction project.

The apartments include one studio, 35 one-bedrooms, and five two-bedroom apartments, most of which are 700 to 800 square feet. This apartment includes an original hardwood floor from the school. The floor was salvageable and in good enough shape for about eight of the apartments.

Most of the apartments have a chalkboard from the old school. George DeRue said the tenants will find the chalkboard useful for writing down appointments and other reminders.

The trophy case used to be at right in the hallway. Now the space can function as a bench.

This view looks out towards Route 31 and the Community Free Library. Home Leasing put in new glass for the windows while refurbishing the window frames.

The rooms all have new doors but Home Leasing was able to keep the transom windows above the doors.

The original wooden railings in the stairwells were saved and are being put back into place. They were sanded and revarnished.

Home Leasing put a small addition on the building (lower left) that serves as an entryway where there are new mailboxes, a phone system and access to an elevator.

To see how the building looked in October, during another tour, click here.

For more information on the project and to contact Home Leasing, click here.

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Press Release, Holley Central School

HOLLEY – If you are interested in enrolling your child in Holley’s universal pre-kindergarten (UPK) or kindergarten program, please complete the form (click here). This enables us to mail you the appropriate registration packet for you to complete.

Please note: If your child currently attends Holley Central’s UPK, you do not need to register for kindergarten. Your student will be automatically enrolled.

Once completed, applications can be mailed back to the school or dropped off by appointment only. Please contact Karen Bower (Kbower@holleycsd.org or 638-6318, ext. 2580) to set up an appointment.

Copies of birth certificates, proof of residency, immunization records and any applicable custodial paperwork will be collected at a later date. The mailing address is Holley Elementary School, 3800 North Main St., Holley, NY 14470.

Screening dates for UPK and kindergarten will be announced at a later date.

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Provided photos

HOLLEY – Many Holley teachers, staff and administrators travelled to neighborhoods in the district today, a caravan of cars to show students they are missed.

The district like others in Orleans County is in its second week of being closed to students due to the health concerns with the coronavirus.

Many students came out of their front porches and yards to wave to the teachers and staff, who put Holley Hawk school colors of red on their vehicles, as well as other messages such as “We Miss You.”

The parade of vehicles started at noon and passed through the Village of Holley, Thomas Estates, Akeley Manor and County Line Mobile Park.

The district also has been celebrating a virtual sprit week, encouraging students to post photos of themselves dressed up in the theme of the day. Those days this week include the following:

• Monday: Superhero Day – Post a photo of yourself dressed like a superhero in honor of all hospital workers, first responders, grocery employees and anyone else considered an essential worker during this time.

• Tuesday: Crazy Hair Day – Post a photo with your craziest hairstyle.

• Wednesday: Pajama Day – Post a photo of yourself in your favorite pajamas.

• Thursday: Jersey Day – Post a photo of yourself in your favorite team jersey in honor of all the athletes whose seasons are on hold right now.

• Friday: School Spirit Day – Post a photo of yourself in your favorite Holley gear of wearing the school color of red.

(Post photos to Twitter: @HolleyCSD and @Holley_MS_HS)

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Children’s Librarian Grace Azzolino reads Bear Sees Colors by Karma Wilson.

HOLLEY – The Community Free Library may be closed to the public during the coronavirus pandemic, but the Wednesday children’s book storytime is continuing.

Grace Azzolino, the children’s librarian, read three books today, sang children’s songs and even taught sing language during a 20-minute video posted on YouTube. Click here to see the video – “Story Hour: March 18th, 2020 (Spring!)”

The Holley library, like most in the area, isn’t allowing patrons inside the building. Azzolino, in her message on YouTube, said she is said the library is closed to the public right now. She encouraged everyone to practice social distancing so the virus doesn’t spread.

She read two books – Bear Sees Colors by Karma Wilson and There is a Bird on Your Head by Mo Willems. She also sang a song about bunnies with a flannel board, and showed children how to do a welcome song with shakers, which can be made using rice, beans or other small items sealed in a jar or cup.

Azzolino ended with a jingle in sign language. She sang, “Goodbye friends, it’s time to say goodbye,” and taught the signs for each word.

She said she will record another storytime next Wednesday.

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From Holley Mayor Brian Sorochty

HOLLEY – In cooperation with the Governor’s directive and what we feel is in the best interest of our community and our staff, we are closing our village offices to the public.

Our critical staff will still be reporting to work providing necessary services. Any payments can be made by using the drop box located on the front of the Village Office Building or through online. (See the village’s website for directions: www.villageofholley.org).

We regret having to do this, but do feel this precautionary measure is necessary. If there are any questions or concerns, call the Village Office at 585-638-6367.

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(Editor’s Note: An earlier post stated town meetings will be closed to public. That was in error, Town Supervisor Joe Sidonio said. The regularly scheduled meeting at 7 p.m. today will be open to the public.)

From Murray Town Supervisor Joe Sidonio

In light of rapidly escalating reports from the governor and department of health, the Murray Town Hall and the Highway Department offices will be closed to the public. Our staff will be reporting to work but will restrict their exposure in order to provide essential government services.

Please deposit any necessary documents in the drop box during normal business hours located by the front door. Include your name address and phone number so we can contact you if necessary.

We regret this decision. In the best interest of our community it has become necessary to help prevent the spread of the virus. This is a routine precautionary measure and not a cause for panic.

Joe Sidonio

Murray Town Supervisor

585-638-6570 ext. 110

HOLLEY – Village officials say a $4.5 million waterline and sidewalk project is expected to start in late April or early May and will take about a year.

The Village Board on Feb.11 accepted a $2,556,000 construction bid from a contractor on Tuesday to replace sidewalks and water lines in the village. Most of the project is along Route 237 and the northeast section of the village.

Mark Cerrone, Inc. of Niagara Falls submitted the lowest bid for the project. Grants will cover the majority of the costs. Holley is responsible for 20 percent of the sidewalk work and 40 percent of the waterlines.

The village will put in sidewalks and waterlines on East Albion Street, Park Place and East Union Street as part of its share for the project.

Since the bid was approved, the village has worked with the state Department of Transportation to secure its final approval.

The village was approved for a $1,780,000 federal TAP grant (Transportation Alternatives Program) to construct curbs and sidewalks that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The grant will allow the village to replace about one-third of the sidewalks in the village.

Cerrone’s share of the project includes sidewalks along Rt. 237 – both north and south of Rt. 31 to the village limits (from the water tower to the elementary school), as well as both sides of Geddes Street from Van Buren to Route 31, both sides of Perry Street, both sides of Morgan Street and the west side of East Avenue.

Holley also was awarded nearly $1.3 million from the state for upgrades to the water system through the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act, as well as the Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Grants Program.

The waterline project includes 5,800 linear feet, just over a mile, and involves replacing 4- to 8-inch water mains with 8- to 12-inch water mains.

That project includes portions of South Main (from the water tower to Batavia Street), South Main from Jackson Street to West Albion Street, water service transfers only along North Main from West Albion Street to the high school, the northerly side of Geddes Street from Van Buren Street to Public Square, along with connections to existing waterlines at ends and side streets.

The village on Tuesday also approved a $318,100 contract with the Wendel firm for construction administration and observation services during the project.

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Photo by Tom Rivers: Dan Seeler, owner of the Holley Falls Bar & Grill, asks the Holley Village Board for more parking enforcement in the downtown business district and also to extend the 2-hour parking limit from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Pictured from left include Holley Mayor Brian Sorochty, Deputy Mayor Kevin Lynch and Trustee Jim DeFilipps.

HOLLEY – The Holley Village Board was asked to extend a two-hour parking limit in the downtown business district from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Dan Seeler, owner of the Holley Falls Bar & Grill, said there are four businesses – Sam’s Diner, Lisa’s Dance Boutique, Dustin’s Pizzeria and Holley Falls Bar & Grill – that are open to at least 9 p.m.

He presented the board with a letter signed by 10 business owners in the downtown, asking for more parking enforcement and the extended hours for the parking limit. It is currently in effect from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Those business owners also asked the Village Board to send a letter to all the building owners in the downtown business district asking that employees, tenants and owners park outside the Public Square between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

Seeler also asked that 10-minute loading zone be allowed in front of Dustin’s Pizzeria and the Holley Falls Bar & Grill.

If the parking limit was extended to 9 p.m. that would require a public hearing and a change in the local law, village attorney John Sansone said.

The best way for immediate relief could be ticketing people or giving them warnings if they exceed the 2-hour limit, Holley Police Chief Roland Nenni said.

The Police Department can step up its enforcement of the 2-hour limit. Often that help ensure some people are not taking parking spaces beyond two hours.

Seller said he believes the board to should change the law so the 2-hour limit extends through 9 p.m. He said there many vehicles parked in the Square well past 6 p.m. He urged the board to extend the parking enforcement to 9 p.m. and encourage the building owners to have tenants and employees park outside the Square between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

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