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On the auction block

Secular center properties going up for sale

OBSERVER Photo by Nicole Gugino. Pictured are some of the properties on Central Avenue purchased by the United Secular American Center for the Disabled Inc. that will be put on public auction on Aug. 17.

From default to foreclosure and sale, a controversial nonprofit’s Dunkirk properties will be up for sale at public auction in August.

Last summer, the announcement of a nonprofit buying up six parcels in the city of Dunkirk caused a stir, and in November, the United Secular American Center for the Disabled Inc. was taken to court for defaulting on it’s $450,000 loan from the living trust of Robert K. Lesser.

In April 2016, the United Secular American Center for the Disabled Inc. — a nonreligious, nonpolitical not-for-profit based out of New Jersey with a mission of helping individuals with disabilities, especially those who do not speak English — purchased 324-330, 332, 334-336, 338 and 609 Central Ave. and 605 Lark St.

Rumors arose that the center planned to evict existing tenants of the buildings in Dunkirk’s business district and bring in Section 8 housing. The center’s president, Sharif Rahman, met with city officials and the OBSERVER to dispel the rumors. At that time Rahman listed ideas for services like social security disability and citizenship signups, education and training programs, drug and alcohol counseling and early intervention for children with special needs, depending on the community’s demand. The center opened an office in the previous Every Woman’s Opportunity Office location.

The commercial foreclosure complaint filed on Nov. 28 summoned Rahman as the center’s representative to appear in Chautauqua County Supreme Court due to a default on the mortgage. As of Jan. 5, the complaint was unanswered by the center.

The court passed a judgment of foreclosure on June 20 for the Chautauqua County Clerk’s Office to put the properties up for public auction on Aug. 17 at 11 a.m. at Chautauqua County Court.

A legal notice that appears in Wednesday’s OBSERVER states, “Mortgaged premises is sold subject to terms and conditions of the filed judgement of foreclosure and sale. The approximate amount of judgment is $470,378.77, plus interest and costs.

The center also purchased the former Ehler’s building at 400 Central Ave., and the former School 10 at 201 Lake Shore Drive E. last July. However, those properties are not mentioned in the judgment.

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