Last Thursday, I took the time to attend the Wiss Hotel Feasibility Study presented by Rick Hauser, CEO of Insight Architecture LLP. In addition, I was able to take home a hard copy of the study which included photographs of the inside of the property. I’m not ashamed to say I went into this presentation very skeptical and although I remain so, I guess I’ll say I’m less skeptical. I guess I see The Wiss Hotel as a bit of the history of LeRoy. I can remember my grandfather telling me that pre-Thruway, the Wiss was an overnight stop for travelers on Route 5. It’s a piece of our Village’s history.
I have to ask a fundamental question. How did this building and more importantly, how was this building allowed to reach the current situation? I realize the property has been vacant for a couple of years but don’t we have a Zoning Officer that monitors commercial building code in this town? Maybe that was done and ignored by the owner(s). In addition, understanding the situation where the county and later the village took ownership, why was a salvage/restoration company allowed by the original owners to come onto the property and strip components of value? We any of the resulting funds used pay back taxes and obligations?
Regardless, now the Village and its budget are left with a burden. What to do? There is the tear it down and sell the property school of thought that might possibly end up a break even or slight profit (with a lot of luck) to the village. Then there is the question of what’s right for that property? Please not another drug store scenario, we’ve made that mistake once already. I’ve heard Starbucks or Tim Horton’s? I for one feel we have a couple of well-established coffee houses, no more coffee joints please. Lesson learned: We put a couple of drug stores out of business with the last decision, let’s not put a couple of reputable coffee places in jeopardy. What’s right for that corner, if not the Wiss is a question for careful consideration.
So then there’s the proposal we listened to. Again, I was not in favor of “saving the Wiss” but I have to admit, I’ve put my sledgehammer away for at least the immediate. I think there are a lot of questions to be answered but somewhere in Mr. Hauser’s presentation, there may be a reason to further delay the decision on the property and explore.
Mr. Hauser proposes a loan from the village equal to the cost of demolition. I question whether this is even legal but were it to be so, don’t do it. The village should not be in the business of funding private enterprise. We have a couple of community banks with community spirited leadership; go see them for your loans.
- Mr. Hauser and his company have done an assessment, which seems quite well done of the property but what are his credentials in assessing structural integrity? Shouldn’t there be a second opinion? Before I laid out any contribution to the LLC, I’d want to be sure the end product was going to be structurally sound. In addition, Rick Hauser’s company will financially benefit from this project. This will need to be very well researched and contractual agreements well spelled out before progressing.
- There was discussion regarding Historical Preservation Funding. I believe that typically requires others in the immediate area to join. Are other property owners ready to assume that responsibility? I remember 20 years ago that being explored on East Main. I was not well accepted and never became reality.
- The project suggests 5 loft type apartments on the 2nd and 3rd floors. 4 apartments with rent of $1,300 and a small unit with rent of $790. I question the likelihood of getting rent in LeRoy at those rates. Especially considering the view from these apartments isn’t of the Oatka Creek or some other picturesque location.
- There are also 4 retail spaces bringing $850-1100/month rental income. Will they be filled? I think so, if marketed correctly.
- I’m also wondering what the local feel is for contributing to this LLC. I liked the statement Rick made of “put your money where your house is”. At the same time, it doesn’t seem like the return on this investment will be large or immediate. Will people contribute an aggregate of $400,000?
Conceptually, seems possible. Reality, a significant amount of work needs to be done and this should not be a leap of faith. Saving the building is the right decision if it can be done prudently and responsibly and most importantly, without municipal funding.
