The OBSERVER’s View: Government purchase raises questions

There doesn’t seem to be much commercial interest in land on the shores of Chautauqua Lake in Mayville where a controversial condominium project was once planned.

That isn’t necessarily a bad thing for Mayville residents who fought the condo project tooth and nail over the course of years before the project fell apart. For now, the open views of Chautauqua Lake are preserved.

Mayville Mayor Rick Syper has approached the Mayville Village Board about possibly purchasing the parcel. The 1.2 acre parcel is currently owned by Erie Bank and being advertised as suitable for commercial development, housing development, a mixed-use building or a waterfront restaurant or hotel. The price tag is $695,000.

Tom Carlson, a member of the Chautauqua Town Board, has said the town may be interested in helping purchase the property if the price is right and if the village will add the 1.2 acres to Lakeside Park. Syper said during a recent Village Board meeting that the village should consider talking to the realtor and then include possible plans for the property as part of a future NY Forward grant application. One idea is to have “micro-businesses” on the property operating out of small sheds that sit on a trail.

The idea of Mayville or Chautauqua purchasing the lakefront property isn’t necessarily a bad outcome, but could there be better outcomes out there that don’t take the property off the tax rolls? For example, Syper’s micro-business idea would be better, in our opinion, if it was being proposed by an entity that wanted to purchase the property so that it remained a taxpaying entity with a use that most Mayville residents support. If expansion of Lakeside Park is the best use of the property, there should at least be discussion before spending taxpayer money on how the land purchase and its future use will benefit Mayville residents other than simply preserving what we admit is a breathtaking view of Chautauqua Lake coming down Route 394. .

The time to have those talks is before a purchase, not after. Syper’s proposal isn’t necessarily a bad one. But it’s important to consider it from all angles before spending taxpayers’ money.