LITTLE VALLEY — Cattaraugus County legislators moved a step closer to selling the Cattaraugus County Civil War Memorial and Historic Building on Wednesday.
Members of the Public Works and Finance committees approved the lone bid for the sale of the former county museum and Board of Elections buildings.
Earlier, the Strategic Planning Committee approved a resolution saying the Catt. Co Memorial and Historic Building at the corner of Court and Seventh streets, was no longer needed for public use.
Citizens Advocating Memorial Preservation (C.A.M.P.) which formed more than three years ago to save the building from the wrecking ball, was the successful bidder with a $1,049 bid.
C.A.M.P. president Tom Stetz of Allegany was happy with the committees’ action, but noted the full Legislature would vote on the measure next Wednesday.
“I’m glad it’s not going to be torn down,” Stetz said. “It’s going to take a lot of effort, a lot of work.”
Until the deed was “signed, sealed and delivered,” Stetz said he wouldn’t have a lot to say. C.A.M.P. is still pondering uses for the two buildings — the memorial and former Board of Elections.
Once the preservation group has possession of the memorial and adjoining brick offices it will begin formulating a fundraising campaign.
There are estimates of the cost of repairing and renovating the building built in 1913 as a memorial to Civil War veterans from the county, at $750,000 or more.
“What stipulation do we have of future use?” asked County Legislator David Koch, D-Salamanca, in the Public Works Committee meeting.
County Administrator Jack Searles said the bid documents did not contain stipulations.
County Attorney Eric Firkel said the responsibility for the memorial, which the state has flagged as condemned for code violations, will be transferred to the Little Valley code enforcement officer. C.A.M.P. will be offered a quit claim deed with no guarantees.
“Considering who the new owner is,” Firkel said, he thought it was unlikely C.A.M.P. would reverse its stand on the memorial.
“I’m sure it’s going to be used as a memorial,” said Legislator John Padlo, D-Olean.
Firkel said the buildings come without a parking lot. That will limit the use of the buildings. Use of the county parking lot has not been ruled out.
“I don’t think there is a risk,” Firkel told the committee members. “We didn’t want restrictions that would make it economically viable.”
(Contact reporter Rick Miller at rmiller@oleantimesherald.com. Follow him on Twitter, @RMillerOTH)
