The process of selling the former Seneca Army Depot continues Saturday. Anyone interested in buying all or part of the 7,000 acre site can get answers to their questions.
"Hopefully, their interest will be in buying the Depot and to start a process of selling the property," said Bob Aronson of the Seneca County Industrial Development Agency.
You may remember the Depot as the scene of anti-nuclear protests back in the 1980s in Romulus. Many people believe the Army may have stored nuclear weapons there at one time.
Aronson told WXXI even though this property consists of thousands of acres, people want to learn how it will be sold.
"We already have had a couple of ag interests - large groups of farmers - come and make unsolicited bids for the Depot, but we chose not to negotiate with them privately and try to make it more of a fair and open process."
The IDA encourages small buyers to group together to bid on larger parcels of land. Would an agricultural bidder be considered a missed opportunity for the 7-thousand acre site?
"Absolutely not. Agriculture is a huge part of our local economy upstate. The property would be on the tax rolls and it would make the Depot an economic asset again for the county."
Aronson expects many will be at the meeting to learn about land they are interested in and about the bidding process. He also expects to hear from advocates on issues such as the rare white deer found at the Depot.
The Depot remains a federal Superfund site, and Aronson told WXXI that the Army is still responsible for future environmental remediation linked to the military.
Although the Seneca IDA hopes to get the 7,000 acre site back on the tax rolls, Aronson says it's not all about how much they can get for the land.
"If somebody does have a business proposition and a promise for near-term capital investment and job creation, we would look at that over price."
The IDA has not taken title yet to another 1,000 acres of the Depot from the Army. That land may be available for sale later.
Saturday’s meeting begins at 10 am at the Romulus Fire Hall on Cayuga Street in Romulus. A request for bids and tours of the site are planned for mid-December.