by Kristina Gabalski
Members of the Old Stone Store Preservation group say they are encouraged by the most recent proposal to purchase and restore the historic Medina sandstone building which sits at the corner of Routes 237 and 31A in the hamlet of Clarendon.
On Tuesday, November 20, the Clarendon Town Board directed its attorney to draft a conditional purchase agreement with Joseph and Susan Fertitta of Parma, who presented their proposal to the board during its regular meeting that day.
The town owns the building and will sell it for $1 to the developer who will meet the town’s criteria for preserving and restoring the structure built in 1836.
The town extended its deadline for finding a new owner by six months last July. If the right owner cannot be found, the town plans to demolish the building.
Susan Fertitta told board members she and her husband’s rehab proposal includes a new front porch (original size and style) and new doors and windows/shutters on the front of the building. An exterior staircase, entrance door and basement entrance on the east and west sides will be removed and the old septic system will be removed and a new system relocated to the rear yard. Parking will be located on the east side of the building and mortar covering the stone work will be repaired. The porch on the east side of the building will either be repaired or moved to the rear of the building and all overhangs will be rebuilt and repaired. New gutters and new windows and doors will be installed around the entire building, both chimneys will be rebuilt to the original size and style and landscaping work will be completed.
Inside, the couple plans office/retail space to suit tenant’s needs on the first floor and a completely remodeled two bedroom, one bathroom apartment on the second floor. The first floor will also have one bathroom.
The biggest hurdle facing the plan appears to be approval by the Orleans County Health Department of the septic system and the purchase offer is contingent both upon that approval and written approval by the NYS Department of Transportation of the new front porch.
Old Stone Store Preservation Committee leader Erin Anheier says she is hopeful the septic will receive approval.
“It’s an issue faced by everyone in the hamlet,” she notes.
The Fertittas have been restoring and renovating older homes for the last 15 years and currently own 15 properties with a total of 26 residential and commercial units. They were recently awarded the “Walter Horylev Civic Beautification Award” by the Village of Hilton for their extensive work on residential and commercial buildings in the village. They also recently purchased a condemned home on Bennett’s Corners Road in Clarendon and are in the final stages of renovation work at that property.
“We take pride in what we do,” Susan Fertitta told town board members during her presentation. “As landlords, we run a tight ship.”
The couple says they are ready to begin work on the stone store and approximate the cost of both interior and exterior work to be $44,000. Joseph Fertitta would complete all the work himself and he says the project would be complete within one year.
Clarendon Town Board member Paul Nicosia asked the Fertittas about some of the challenges they face, including the size of the lot, the septic system issue and the possibility they may never be able to rent the first floor space.
“It’s something we would have to deal with,” Susan Fertitta responded. She noted that saving the building could be a catalyst for bringing more businesses to the community. “It would be very positive,” she said. “Other people may want to come in.”
Town Board members discussed the possibility of having the Fertittas pick up closing costs.
Clarendon Historical Society President Jim Moore advised against it.
“We have lost many very nice historical properties,” he said. “By covering the closing costs, we have everything to gain and nothing to lose. It’s a double win -the town gets it back on the tax rolls and defers the cost of tearing it down.”
Town board members reminded those in attendance that there are taxpayers in the town who want to see the building gone and don’t want to see any taxpayer money spent on it.
One member of the audience pointed out the building will cost the taxpayers in either case. If it is torn down and taken off the tax rolls, there will still be demolition costs the town will have to cover.
At the end of the discussion, Supervisor Richard Moy thanked Erin Anheier and town ordinance inspection officer/CEO/historian Melissa Irelan for their efforts.
