The former downtown Key Bank location, located on the northeast corner of Second and Main Streets. (google street view)

EDITORS NOTE: This story has been updated to reflect additional comments provided by building owner Arnold Duke.

JAMESTOWN – A piece of Jamestown property that was selected to receive $1 million in state funding to help revitalize the downtown is back up for sale.

The former Key Bank building at 200 N. Main Street in Jamestown is on the market for $500,000.

According to public records, the building has been owned by The Duke of Jamestown, LLC since October 2016, when it purchased the building for $110,000. The LLC is owned and operated by developer Arnold Duke. Less than a year after the purchase, the property was named one of the recipients of the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant program, announced by the state in May 2017. At the time of the announcement, it was announced that Duke had planned to redeveloped the building into a mixed-used building with office, retail and residential uses.

“Transform a mostly abandoned bank building in the center of downtown Jamestown into a mixed-use downtown anchor which will increase residential opportunities, bring new commercial activity, and create jobs in the downtown,” the grant award booklet stated. “The renovations will provide 10,000 feet of office space, 8 market-rate apartments, a restaurant space, 4-6 pop-up retail spaces, a wine tasting room, and an escape the room-type attraction.”

In a feature story about the project that appeared in the Jamestown Gazette in August 2018, Duke had said he projected a grand opening “in about 16 months”, which would have put the grand opening date in January 2020. But that never occurred and work on the site actually stopped prior to the start of the pandemic in March 2020.

Now the building is back on the market, with a sales price that is nearly five times higher than what Duke spent to buy it back in 2016. However, that increased cost is likely due to the amount of work and remediation – including asbestos removal – that went into the renovation effort prior to the work stoppage.

WRFA spoke with Duke Monday morning to learn more details about the sale. He explained that due to a number of setbacks – the pandemic, an ongoing divorce battle, and a serious personal health issue he’s only recently been able to recover from – he’s been left with no option but to step away from the project.

“My main business is the International Gem and Jewelry Show,” Duke said. “But because of the pandemic, we’ve not been able to hold or participate in any shows and that’s been a significant financial hit. My recent hospitalization and multiple surgeries, combined with an ongoing divorce battle, have also played a significant role in the decision to unfortunately step away from the project.”

However, he said that in addition to anyone interested in buying the property, he’s also willing to enter into a partnership if they wish to no own the building.

“I love the city of Jamestown and still want what’s best for its downtown development and I think this building can be a key component in making that happen,” Duke told WRFA.

Because the project was never officially completed, Duke won’t receive any of the state money that was earmarked for it. However, city development director Crystal Surdyk says that any new owner of the building who follows through with completing the development effort could receive that money.

“The DRI grant will stay with the building. Because Arnold Duke did not complete the project, he, nor his company, will be eligible to receive any reimbursement from the DRI,” Surdyk said in an email to WRFA. “That said, a new developer will have to work with the state to develop a project that is in alignment with the intent of the DRI and will need state approval in order to develop the building with DRI funding.”

Surdyk didn’t say if there was a deadline for when the funding must be appropriated. There have been other proposed projects that were to receive the money, only to have it reallocated to another project. That includes some of the $600,000 in funding that was given to the city for a Downtown Event Programming fund administered by the Jamestown Local Development Corporation, as well as $670,000 that was originally intended to help bring a passenger excursion train service to the city.

A requirement to spend the money sooner rather than later was the motive for reallocating the remaining money in the Downtown Event Programming fund. According to Surdyik, the city was instructed by the state to spend it elsewhere because of the pandemic and the uncertainty of when major downtown events could occur again. That funding will ultimately be redirected to help entertainment-based businesses and organizations weather the financial storm caused by COVID-19. But for the former Key Bank building, it appears the state is willing to wait until new ownership comes on board, prior to redirecting the money elsewhere.

In the meantime, anyone interested in learning more about the Key Bank Building, or a potential partnership with Duke can call Tom Turner, real estate broker with Century 21, at 763-7506.

The former downtown Key Bank location, located on the northeast corner of Second and Main Streets. (google street view)

JAMESTOWN – The Jamestown Planning Commission has given its approval to the Jamestown City Center project, which will focus on converting an historic downtown bank building into a multi-use facility that will be used for a dinner theater and banquet space, along with providing residential apartments and office space.

The commission met on Tuesday and reviewed the plans for the project at the former Key Bank building at 200-206 N. Main Street with a representative from LaBella Associates architecture along with project manager Lori Galster. The two were on hand to represent developer Arnold Duke, who owns the property after buying it at auction in 2016.

The commission was required to review the plans because the project involves an adaptive reuse of an existing building that is more than 5,000 square feet.

Architect David Misenheimer with LaBella goes over the site plans of the Jamestown City Center project with the Planning Commission on July 16, 2019.

The center will include office space, eight apartments, a dinner theater on the main floor, commercial kitchen, rental space for banquets, wine tasting lounge, and escape rooms.

The renovation of the four-story, 40,000-square-foot building is expected to cost a total $5 million. Earlier reports and quoted the project at $3.5 million.

Because the building is in the city’s historic district, the state Historic Preservation Office had to review and approve of the renovations.

In addition to private investment, the project will also use $1 million in state aid through the state Downtown Revitalization Initiative program and $500,000 through the Restore New York Communities Initiative program. The Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency also approved a $200,000 sales tax exemption for the project in 2017.

Glastner said with the planning commission’s approval the project can now go out for bid with contractors, in addition to finalizing leases with prospective clients. Portions of the renovation could be completed by the end of this year.

The former historic Bank of Jamestown building, located on the northeast corner of Second and Main Streets. (google street view)

JAMESTOWN – The Jamestown City Planning Commission will be meeting Tuesday afternoon to review plans for a new development taking place at a former bank building in downtown Jamestown.

The project is taking place at the historic Bank of Jamestown building at 200-206 North Main Street (last used as a Key Bank location).  It involves converting the four stories of the building into a multi-use space that will be known as the Jamestown City Center.

The center will include 10,000 square feet of office space, along with eight apartments, a commercial kitchen, dinner theater, adult cooking classes, clay and paint classes, rental space for banquets, wine tasting lounge, and escape rooms.

Developer Arnold Duke is overseeing the project and his team has said that if all goes according to schedule the apartments could be available for rent by the this fall. The commercial and community service space could also be ready along the same timeline.  Meanwhile the office area – which already has a tenant ready to lease the space – is expected to be completed next year.

The renovation of the four-story, 40,000-square-foot building is expected to cost a total of $3.5 million.  It has already received $1 million through the state Downtown Revitalization Initiative program and $500,000 through the Restore New York Communities Initiative program. The Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency also approved a $200,000 sales tax exemption for the project in 2017.

Tuesday’s planning commission meeting will involve the commission reviewing the site plans for the new work that will be done for the project along with other details. The planning commission is required to give its authorization for the project before permits can be granted by the city and the final phase of work can begin.

Tuesday’s meeting begins at 3:30 p.m. on the 4th floor of city hall in the mayors conference room and is open to the public.

More than three dozen pieces from the Prendergast Library’s art collection (some shown above) was deaccessioned in 2017 by the library board and sold at auction in an effort to held address financial challenges facing the library. Developer Arnold Duke purchased seven of the pieces and has loaned them to the Fenton History Center for one year. They will be put on display in the summer of 2018.

JAMESTOWN – Seven pieces of artwork that were recently sold at auction by the James Prendergast Library have found a temporary home at the Fenton History Center.

According to Noah Goodling, Fenton executive director, developer Arnold Duke – who owns property in downtown Jamestown including both the former Key Bank and the former Marine Midland Bank, both on N. Main Street – recently purchased seven of the Prendergast paintings and has agreed to loan them to the Fenton for one year.

Goodling tells WRFA that the Fenton and Duke completed the loan paperwork and transferred the paintings on Thursday, although they aren’t yet publicly available for viewing just yet.

“We plan to have them hung up within the next couple weeks, and incorporate them into a temporary exhibit about the Prendergast family which should open in late June or early July,” Goodling said via email to WRFA.

After several years of discussion, the Prendergast library board of trustees made the decision in 2017 to sell more than three dozen classic art paintings it had in its possession, valued at $1.18 million, due to financial challenges.

The seven paintings that will be on display at the Fenton later this year include:

1. Jean Paul Clays – Ostende
2. Georges Jean Marie Haquette – The Fisherman’s Wife
3. Leo Hermann – Painting a Madonna
4. Adolf Humborg – Amusing News
5. Ambrose Macneil – Sunrise on the Isle of Mull
6. Georg Oeder – German Forest Interior
7. Frederick Ballard Williams – In a French Garden

CIRCO COMEDIA AT THE REG

Highlighting the weekend is the final Reg Presents Series for the 2017-18 Season at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts.

The unique circus-style performance of Quebec-based comedy duo Circo Comedia takes place Saturday at 4 p.m. in the Reg Lenna. Following in the tradition of the Quebec Circus, the duo will perform amazing stunts and hilarious antics for the audience.

Tickets start at $5 for children aged 18 and under and $10 for adults and may be purchased at the Reg box office, over the phone at 716.484.7070 or online at RegLenna.com.

In addition to the show, Len Barry from the Reg Lenna will also announce the 2018-19 season lineup.

WEEKEND AT THE MUSEUM

The owner and developer of two historic downtown buildings will be displaying several pieces of artwork that had previously been owned by the Prendergast Library.

Developer Arnold Duke recently purchased the Old Marine Midland Bank  (most recently known as The Forum)at the northwest corner of Main and Second Streets. To celebrate the purchase and raise awareness about future plans for the building, Duke will be showcasing items he purchased at auction from the Prendergast Art Collection both tonight and tomorrow at the former bank location.

The “Weekend at the Museum” theme will also feature various memorabilia, including items that belonged to first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, Elton John, Elizabeth Taylor, and Pat Garrett – the lawman who shot and killed Billy the Kid. On Saturday, free fossils will also be given out to children.

The “Weekend at the Museum” is taking place at 201 N. Main St. (northwest corner of Main and Second Streets) from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday for adults only and then from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday for people of all ages.

The event is free and open to the public.

In addition to the Marine Midland Bank purchase, Duke also purchased the former Key Bank building directly across the street in 2017.

‘IT CAN’T HAPPEN HERE’ AT WILLOW BAY THEATER

The Winged Ox Players will present the thought-provoking play “It Can’t Happen Here” starting Friday as well as two shows on Saturday at the Willow Bay Theater.

The play is based on the novel by American author Sinclair Lewis and has been described as a “cautionary dark satire about the fragility of democracy and how fascism can take hold even in the land of liberty.”

• RELATED: LISTEN TO WRFA’S INTERVIEW WITH WINGED OX PLAYERS

Friday and Saturday evening performances will begin at 7 p.m. and there will also be a matinee performance Saturday at 1 p.m., followed by a panel discussion with several community members, high school and college teachers and members of the cast.

Admission to the show is free, but free will donations are encouraged.

The show will also be shown next Friday and Saturday, May 18 an 19 at 7 p.m.

SPRING GRAPES AND HOPS FEST AT NORTHWEST ARENA

Also on Saturday The 4th Annual Spring Grapes & Hops Festival will take place at the Northwest Arena from 3 to 7 p.m.

The event will feature beer samplings and wine tasting from local breweries and wineries, as well as business vendors from around the area.

Visit NorthwestArena.com for more information.

PRENDERGAST RUN FOR LITERACY

Also on Saturday morning, Prendergast Library continues its fundraising efforts with the 12th annual Run for Literacy.

The 5K race starts at the library with registration running from 8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. The race starts at 9 a.m. with walkers starting shortly after. Free T-shirts are guaranteed for the first 100 registrants.

Registration costs $20, and can be completed online, at the library, or on the day of the race.

To learn more or to register online, visit PrendergastLibrary.org.

ANGELA CALEY’S ‘MEET THE ARTIST RECEPTION’ AT DYKEMAN YOUNG

A Meet the Artist Reception for the new exhibit “Free: New works by Angela Caley” will be taking place Saturday night at the Dykeman Young Gallery on 2^nd St. in Jamestown. The event is free and open to the public.

LIVE MUSIC

In addition to the events listed above, there’s also a variety of live music events to choose from both Saturday and Sunday in the Jamestown area. For a complete listing, visit our Rock and Roll Rundown for this weekend.

The former downtown Key Bank location, located on the northeast corner of Second and Main Streets. (google street view)

JAMESTOWN – A former bank and downtown landmark will receive major funding from the state to help in a redevelopment project.

Late last week Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that nearly $40 million has been awarded to 75 communities from the state’s Restore New York Communities Initiative. Locally, Jamestown will receive $500,000 to help with the redevelopment of the former Key Bank Building on the northeast corner of Second and N. Main Streets.

The four-story building was purchased last July by during a closed auction by Arnold Duke of Bemus Point. The developer wants to use the building for commercial and office space.

The former downtown Key Bank location, located on the northeast corner of Second and Main Streets. (google street view)

JAMESTOWN – There could be future development underway in the former Key Bank building in downtown Jamestown.

Earlier this year Key Bank closed down its downtown office at the northeast corner of Second and Main Streets and the property was put up for auction. The property was purchased at auction by Arnold Duke, who wants to renovate the space and use it to house a business, offices, and residential space. City Planner Bill Rice says the project could result in 25 to 30 new jobs being added to the downtown – although specific details regarding what business could move into the space were not disclosed.

On Monday Night the Jamestown City Council learned that there is state funding available to help with the renovation effort through the Restore New York grant program.

As a sponsor agency, the city could apply for up to $500,000 to assist with the redevelopment of the building, but the deadline to apply early October.

As a result the city council will have to vote on applying for the grant during its September meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 26.  A public hearing on the grant request is also required, and will take Sept. 26 at 6:30 p.m. in the city council chambers.