Jamestown Gazette<\/em> 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.<\/p>\nNow 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
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<\/strong> says that any new owner of the building who follows through with completing the development effort could receive that money.<\/p>\n“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.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":19545,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[4],"tags":[6942,6631,6705,6944,10347],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/key-bank.png?fit=894%2C558&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3YlJ4-9GM","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":20939,"url":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/former-key-bank-building-receives-500000-grant-to-assist-with-redevelopment\/","url_meta":{"origin":37248,"position":0},"title":"Former Key Bank Building Receives $500,000 Grant to Assist with Redevelopment","author":"WRFA Radio","date":"January 30, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"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\u2019s Restore New York Communities Initiative. Locally, Jamestown will receive\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Local News"","block_context":{"text":"Local News","link":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/category\/news\/local-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/key-bank.png?fit=894%2C558&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/key-bank.png?fit=894%2C558&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/key-bank.png?fit=894%2C558&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/key-bank.png?fit=894%2C558&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":19544,"url":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/city-to-apply-for-state-grant-to-help-renovate-former-key-bank-building\/","url_meta":{"origin":37248,"position":1},"title":"City to Apply for State Grant to Help Renovate Former Key Bank Building","author":"WRFA Radio","date":"September 20, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"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\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Local News"","block_context":{"text":"Local News","link":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/category\/news\/local-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/key-bank.png?fit=894%2C558&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/key-bank.png?fit=894%2C558&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/key-bank.png?fit=894%2C558&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/key-bank.png?fit=894%2C558&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":30725,"url":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/city-planning-commission-approves-adoptive-reuse-of-former-downtown-bank-building\/","url_meta":{"origin":37248,"position":2},"title":"City Planning Commission Approves Adaptive Reuse of Former Downtown Bank Building","author":"WRFA Radio","date":"July 17, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"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\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Local News"","block_context":{"text":"Local News","link":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/category\/news\/local-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/planning-commission.jpg?fit=1200%2C704&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/planning-commission.jpg?fit=1200%2C704&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/planning-commission.jpg?fit=1200%2C704&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/planning-commission.jpg?fit=1200%2C704&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/planning-commission.jpg?fit=1200%2C704&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":30709,"url":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/planning-commission-to-review-plans-for-jamestown-city-center-on-tuesday\/","url_meta":{"origin":37248,"position":3},"title":"Planning Commission to Review Plans for Jamestown City Center on Tuesday","author":"WRFA Radio","date":"July 16, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"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\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Local News"","block_context":{"text":"Local News","link":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/category\/news\/local-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/key-bank.png?fit=894%2C558&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/key-bank.png?fit=894%2C558&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/key-bank.png?fit=894%2C558&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/key-bank.png?fit=894%2C558&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":25242,"url":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/circus-performers-museum-displays-theater-performances-highlight-busy-weekend-in-downtown-jamestown\/","url_meta":{"origin":37248,"position":4},"title":"Circus Performers, Museum Displays, Theater Performances Highlight Busy Weekend in Downtown Jamestown","author":"WRFA Radio","date":"May 11, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"JAMESTOWN - It\u2019s shaping up to be a busy weekend in downtown Jamestown with a variety of activities set to take place starting tonight and continuing into Saturday night. CIRCO COMEDIA AT THE REG Highlighting the weekend is the final Reg Presents Series for the 2017-18 Season at the Reg\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Local News"","block_context":{"text":"Local News","link":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/category\/news\/local-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/circo-comedia_t670.jpg?fit=670%2C239&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/circo-comedia_t670.jpg?fit=670%2C239&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/circo-comedia_t670.jpg?fit=670%2C239&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":25334,"url":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/seven-paintings-previously-owned-by-prendergast-library-to-be-on-display-at-fenton-history-center\/","url_meta":{"origin":37248,"position":5},"title":"Seven Paintings Previously Owned by Prendergast Library to be on Display at Fenton History Center","author":"WRFA Radio","date":"May 21, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"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 \u2013 who owns property in downtown Jamestown including both the former Key Bank\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Local News"","block_context":{"text":"Local News","link":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/category\/news\/local-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Art-Collection.jpg?fit=850%2C615&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Art-Collection.jpg?fit=850%2C615&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Art-Collection.jpg?fit=850%2C615&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Art-Collection.jpg?fit=850%2C615&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37248"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37248"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37248\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":37253,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37248\/revisions\/37253"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19545"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37248"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37248"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37248"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}