OBSERVER Photo by Jo Ward The White Inn sits freshly mowed in down town Fredonia.

The White Inn in Fredonia has been an eye sore since spring arrived last month. Several complaints had been issued to the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency in regards to unkempt lawn that surrounds the property.

According to Mark Geise, county IDA CEO, COVID-19 played a big role in the current state of the building.

“We had received numerous complaints over the property and reached out to the owners to mow it, which has been done,” Geise said. “We had an interested party who was going to buy the property and we had almost closed on the deal when COVID-19 hit.”

When asked if the prospective buyers were going to finish the sale once the pandemic ended, Geise shared that everyone is unsure.

“We don’t know what the future holds,” he said. “Both sides have no idea how it’s going to play out.”

Right now the White Inn remains empty though the lawn looks to be in much better condition.