(WXXI News & AP) There are some changes in the plans for re-developing the former Seneca Army Depot in the new year.
Plans for giving title to the old army depot to a new owner have been delayed because of assessment questions regarding the land.
The Seneca County Industrial Development Agency will remain the owner of the 7,000 acres, home to a rare herd of white deer.
The IDA had planned on closing and giving title to Seneca Falls businessman Earl Martin by the end of this year, but questions have arisen over the land's value. It's assessed at $28 million, but Bob Aronson, executive director of the Seneca County IDA says clearly the property isn’t worth that amount.
Assessors will reassess the property over the next two years. In the meantime, Martin will lease the land and pay $900,000 in a lump sum for the property when the lease begins in the new year.
Aronson says Martin’s overall plan for the site will not be impacted.
“Absolutely goes on the way he had planned to, this is nothing but a change in how the transaction is structured,” he told WXXI News.
And Aronson says the IDA is still optimistic Martin’s plans will move right along.
“We’re very pleased with the progress that he’s making, of course everything he does at this point he’s at risk for and he’s moving forward at 100 miles an hour to try to get his plan put into place.”
Martin wants to preserve the white deer and also promote tourism in that area.
