Prospective Slavin’s buyer withdraws proposal

MASSENA — The only person who submitted a proposal to redevelop the Slavin’s property has withdrawn his submission.

But village officials say there continues to be interest in the downtown parcel, even if there are no other formal submissions.

The attorney representing Norfolk landlord John E. Barron wrote to the village Board of Trustees last month informing them of Mr. Barron’s decision.

Mr. Barron approached the board at a December meeting and detailed his plans to purchase the property at Main and Water streets. He owns several rental properties in Norfolk and was looking to expand his holdings in Massena, he said.

Mr. Barron said he wanted to convert the second floor of the building into apartments and leave the first floor as “build to suit” office or retail space. He offered $50,000 for the remaining Slavin’s building and the adjacent vacant property on Water Street.

By law, Massena cannot sell the parcel for less than its appraised value, which is $72,000, village officials said. Mr. Barron said he was not willing to pay that because the original appraisal did not factor in an asbestos abatement and was inaccurate.

Massena Mayor James F. Hidy contended that the village was not going to sell for less than $72,000, so Mr. Barron walked away.

“I’ve already turned my money and interest elsewhere,” Mr. Barron said. “They refused to even vote on it. They wanted the full $72,000. I’m not paying $72,000.”

“If (Mr. Hidy) finds somebody for $72,000, more power to him,” Mr. Barron said. “With today’s market conditions, I can see why no one’s trying to buy it.”

Mr. Hidy said he does not regret leaving the appraised value as is.

“That’s his prerogative,” Mr. Hidy said. “I still maintain you’re getting downtown riverfront property at a very good price. That’s still great waterfront property in the middle of downtown.”

There are no other proposals, but there is other interest in the property, Mr. Hidy said. There could be a group of individuals submitting a proposal soon, he said.

“They’re in the process of putting their group together,” Mr. Hidy said. “I should hear sometime soon as to if this one particular group is looking to purchase it or not.”

“There’s some legal issues from with inside the group they’re trying to hammer out,” he added. Mr. Hidy said he was not sure what the group intended to do with the property.

Jason A. Clark, Business Development Corporation for a Greater Massena executive director, who has been handling the Slavin’s property sale, confirmed there was other interest but declined to provide specifics.

“We continue to work with a potential party,” Mr. Clark said. “I got a call from someone the other day with questions. We’re still assessing the interest of some others.”