P-J photo by Gregory Bacon The village of Mayville is interested in purchasing this vacant property at 74 Water St. A condominium project was originally proposed there, but it was shelved in 2022.

MAYVILLE – About three years ago, Erie Bank acquired a little over an acre of land near Lakeside Park where some condominiums were to be built.

With nothing taking place there, Mayor Rick Syper said he wants to see if the village could buy the property.

During the recent Mayville Village Board meeting, Syper requested permission from the trustees about contacting the realtor in charge of selling 74 Water St.

The property is currently being advertised on Cushman & Wakefield’s website for $695,000.

In the description it states, “Beautiful Waterfront Property Located on the North Basin of Chautauqua Lake. 1.2 Acres of Developable Land For Sale. Possibility for additional land nearby to become available. Centrally Located between Buffalo, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh. Lakeside Business Zoning District & Lakeside Business Overlay District. Located close to The Chautauqua Institution, a Nationally Recognized Not-For Profit Educational Center and Resort Situated on more than 2,000 Acres. Approximately 8 miles from Interstate 90 & 86, and 11 miles from Bemus Point. Ideal For: Development Opportunity, Commercial Development, Multi-Family Residential Housing, Mixed-Use Building, Waterfront Restaurant and/or Hotel.”

Before Erie Bank took possession of the property, it was owned by Lodge at Chautauqua Lake LLC, headed by Ben Webb.

Jim and Sally Webb originally purchased the property with plans to develop it with condominiums.

Later Ben Webb joined Jim and tried to move forward with a fractional ownership hotel. In 2016, a number of the variances needed for the project were rejected by the Mayville Zoning Board of Appeals.

But they continued on the project, later proposing a scaled down condominium that would also include concierge service, valet and bell services, heated outdoor pool and an on-site restaurant and lounge. It didn’t need near the number of variances as the original project.

Eventually the Lodge at Chautauqua Lake, LLC had proposed constructing a 34 unit, $17 million condominium resort on the property.

A groundbreaking ceremony took place in June 2021, but by March of 2022, it was announced the project was being abandoned.

Ever since the project was shelved, there has been talk on and off among village leaders to buy the property.

Tom Carlson with the Chautauqua Town Board had expressed interest in either the town buying the land and/or buying the land with the village, with the purpose of adding it to Lakeside Park.

Even though the property is listed for sale at $695,000, its full market value, according to the county GIS page, is $155,200.

During the June Village Board meeting, Syper said if the bank is interested in selling the property close to what its full market value is, the village may be able to buy it.

“I really feel this board should positively think that this is the right time to start talking to the realtor about purchasing this,” he said, saying they have enough in their reserves.

The village board has discussed forming a NY Forward Committee to seek a large state grant. Last year the village of Westfield was awarded a $4.5 million grant from NY Forward.

Syper said if the village were to buy the land, it could make plans for the property in its application with the state.

Earlier this year the village sought to apply for an Open Spaces grant, but Syper said they were unable to apply due to issues at the state level.

Carlson was at the village board meeting and said the town may be open to paying for half, but only if the property would become part of Lakeside Park.

“I know there’s some people on this board that don’t want to see that. They would rather commercialize it,” he said.

Syper said he does not want to commercialize it but he doesn’t want to make it part of the park either.

“I’ve talked to people about how we restrict it to do a private-and-public work. I don’t want to lose it to a commercial entity for this village that wants to see us own it,” he said.

In January when they were looking to apply for the Open Spaces grant, Syper discussed having “micro-businesses” on the property. These businesses could be operating out of small sheds, sitting on a trail.

Trustee Dan Roush said he just wants to make sure the village can afford purchasing it.

Syper said using the assessed valuation, they have enough to buy it. The question would be if the bank still wants to try to sell it as land for a potential condominium.

Erie Bank took possession of the property from Lodge at Chautauqua, LLC on Aug. 31, 2023 for $581,715.

Village leaders question if a condominium could ever get built there with the necessary variances.

Syper said if someone wants to do the exact same project Ben Webb had proposed, he believes no new variances would be needed. If anyone wants to do a different project, then they would likely need additional variances, depending on the proposal.

Roush and others agreed for Syper to contact the realtor and see what they’re interested in selling it for.