Former Truck-Lite facility in Falconer

The former Truck-lite facility in Falconer is being sold to The Krog Group.

The Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency Board approved a $900,000 Al Tech Loan, mortgage tax abatement, and sales tax abatement. The total project cost is $3,655,000.

IDA Business Development Manager Carol Rasmussen said Peter Krog plans to purchase and lease out the 160,000 square foot facility for office and manufacturing space. He will be doing some renovation work as well.

The IDA board also approved an updated payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) agreement for the Welch’s Building project in Westfield.

Chief Financial Officer Rich Dixon said 2 Portage LLC previously had been approved for a 15-year PILOT by the IDA, “The developer was talking with his investors and with people who were making him the loan. They were hoping they could get more certainty as to what the tax payments would be after year 15. They originally came to us and talked about maybe a 30-year, 25-year (PILOT). We ended up with a compromise that I think is very fair.”

Dixon said the agreement is for a 20-year PILOT that has the same terms for years 0 through 15 as the current PILOT and then years 16 through 20 are at 100% tax at a fixed rate.

The Welch’s Building project previously received a $475,000 AL Tech Loan Fund as well as $1.5 million in Restore New York funds for the $18 million project.

Dixon said there is no change to the project other than the change to the PILOT.

The IDA Board also approved an Al Tech loan of $100,000 for BP Endeavors LLC to purchase Wildwood Acres Campground on Brown Road in Bemus Point. The total project cost is $668,000.

Rasmussen said the current owner, who has ran the campground for 21 years, is selling the property due to illness. The new owners plan to open up 20 to 30 new sites on the ground for rent.

Views of proposed work on front and side of Hotel Lenhart

The Hotel Lenhart redevelopment project has received another round of incentives from Chautauqua County.

The Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency board approved the Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILOT) and tax lease at its meeting on March 28. This incentive package includes real property, sales, and mortgage recording tax abatements and totals $842,987.

Chautauqua Lake Hospitality LLC, who is undertaking the project, previously was approved a $500,000 Al Tech loan in February for the $9.9 million project.

The company is working on purchasing the historic hotel located on Chautauqua Lake in the village of Bemus Point, and completely renovate it to create a year-round destination.

The hotel, originally constructed as a boarding house, has been in operation since 1880.

This major project will include installation of an elevator and other ADA compliant improvements, and the complete renovation of the guest rooms and common areas. The final product will result in a total of 40 guest rooms with all of the modern conveniences, while retaining the historic character of the hotel. An expanded dining area will accommodate guests and visitors, while other amenities will include an event space, spa, and pool.

Views of proposed work on front and side of Hotel Lenhart

The future owners of the Hotel Lenhart have big plans in store for the historic structure.

Bill and Jill Curry presented their renovation proposal to the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency Board as part of their request for a $500,000 Al Tech loan.

Bill Curry said he’s been a design builder for over 40 years with Jill being in the hospitality industry with Marriot and Hilton for over 25 years.

Curry said the Lenhart is in need of significant upgrades, “Stair towers, sprinkler system, and fire alarms. We also want to provide full access for anyone who comes to our campus. So we will have access for anybody at any level of need. We plan to add a rooftop area, which is the center area, which will have an elevator to it. So anybody who walks in the front door can get to that spot and enjoy the view from the roof.”

Curry said the laundry facility will be turned into a standalone bakery and creamery and that a spa will be added to the building the has employee housing. He said that housing will be moved to a different floor. Other amenities planned include a heated pool and dropping the number of rooms from 57 to 40 so that all rooms have a private bathroom.

Curry said they hope to close on the property by the end of April, with it likely taking nine months to do work.

The cost of the project is $9.8 million. The village of Bemus Point has applied for a $2 million Restore New York grant for the project and another $2 million grant request has been made to the state.

The IDA Board approved the Al Tech loan request as well as a 15-year PILOT. The Curry’s said the project will have 65 temporary jobs during construction, 46 full time employees when the hotel reopens, with 58 total employees by year three.

The See-Zuhr House

The See-Zurh House in Bemus Point will have new ownership.

Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency Project Manager Rosie Strandburg said Bruce Scroxton and Andrew Haney are purchasing the building from Thom Shagla.

She said Scroxton has been interested in buying the business for about 30 years, “They’re looking to keep the charm of the restaurant. Most of the menu items will stay but they are going to install a brick oven for pizza. And they are going to open up the kitchen so that you can see them cooking. They are going to add ADA accessible bathrooms and a ramp outside. Access to the upstairs is not going to be currently addressed. There’s not really a good way to change access to the upstairs, but they’re going to keep the same flow for the upstairs as well.”

The CCIDA Board approved Scroxton and Haney’s request for $250,000 in loans from the Al Tech Revolving Loan Fund. $124,000 will be for machinery and equipment and $126,000 in working capital. The interest rate on both loans is 4%.

Strandburg said the 17 employees who currently work at the restaurant will be kept on with another five to six full-time employees anticipated to be hired in addition to nine part-time employees.

The See-Zuhr House opened in 1960 and was purchased by Thom and Cheryl Shagla in 1984, who have operated it since.

EDITOR’S NOTE: As a point of transparency and disclosure to our audience, Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency is a corporate underwriter for WRFA and has provided a financial contribution for the general operations of the station within the past year. Funding we receive for General Operations is not used to fund our coverage of local news in the community. That is only made possible through a Community Service Grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. 

Lexington Machining, Winchester Road (Google Maps)

The Chautauqua County IDA Board has approved an Al Tech Loan for Lexington Machining to make upgrades to a warehouse it owns in Lakewood.

Project Manager Carol Rasmussen told the IDA Board that the $218,900 equipment loan would be used for two air-vac units at the facility on 201 Winchester Road. It’s a seven year loan with a 4% interest rate.

Rasmussen said the air-vac units will help the facility become more manufacturing ready.

She said the building had been vacant for 10 years, but that Bush Industries is now leasing 59% of the building, “Bush is excited about them getting this ready for manufacturing. They’re very happy to be there. They’re on a month to month lease, but right now they’re very happy with their lease and they would like to get on a permanent lease.”

Rasmussen added that Lexington Machining has put about $1 million into the building, “They’re very serious about this. They’ve put new lighting in, new roofing, new units, a couple of doors, crate doors, and so they’re very adamant about keeping this building and leasing it out.”

IDA CFO Rich Dixon brought up the fact that active environmental monitoring at the site has scared away a few buyers of the facility, but he’s excited to see the investment by Lexington Machining to turn it into manufacturing space.

EDITOR’S NOTE: As a point of transparency and disclosure to our audience, the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency is a corporate underwriter for WRFA and has provided a financial contribution for the general operations of the station within the past year. Funding we receive for General Operations is not used to fund our coverage of local news in the community. That is only made possible through a Community Service Grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.