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Rural Ministry in process of selling building, moving to new location

OBSERVER Photo by Jimmy McCarthy The building where Chautauqua County Rural Ministry Inc. resides is in the process of being sold.

OBSERVER Staff Report

A section of the Coburn Block could be on the cusp for change as Chautauqua County Rural Ministry Inc. is in the process of selling its building to a developer.

As for CCRM’s new location, Executive Director Kathleen Peterson told the OBSERVER they’re in the process of purchasing another building. No further details have been released as to CCRM’s new location or who’s purchasing CCRM’s building since things are in the process of being finalized.

A letter issued by Rural Ministry on June 7 to donors states that just prior to its recent 50th anniversary celebration, an opportunity came to purchase a new building.

At the same time, an offer was made on its current building at 127 Central Ave.

“What is great about this situation is that our current building has plans to be developed into a commercial building, which will help with the continued development in Dunkirk,” the letter states.

Regarding Rural Ministry’s new location, the letter states that it will provide space for meeting the needs of those less fortunate in the community, as well as program development. The letter goes on to say that it will allow CCRM to continue the mission and pursue new programming by assisting with food insecurity in the area.

“The move will be a great expense for CCRM but we feel it will be worth every penny in the long run,” the letter states.

The Coburn Block has had its structural issues in recent years. In September 2015, the north end cap of the building collapsed onto Central Avenue. In addition, Allan Zurawski, city housing, building and zoning inspector, said earlier in the year that the state of the block is concerning as legal and financial issues stand in the way of a final solution.

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