Four bidders, as village government downsizes
SKANEATELES -- The Village of Skaneateles is selling its old Village Hall on the shore of Skaneateles Lake on East Genesee Street.
Bids opened Monday afternoon at 2:00pm. There were four, ranging from the low of $437-thousand to the high of $530-thousand. The property is assessed at $661,154.
The high bidder is Rick Moscarito, whose Finger Lakes Homes has already bought and upgraded--and now rents--homes on Fennel Street in the village. His representative at the auction, Molly Elliott, says there are no firm plans yet for the Village Hall, but the deal is a long way from finalized.
The second-highest bidder, a familiar name in Skaneateles: Kim Weitsman. Ben Weitsman has built a fortune through his scrap metal business and has a home on West Lake Road. He's also bought the historic Krebs restaurant, which is being restored. Their bid, $801-thousand, and their representative at the sale says they're still in the running.
The sale is part of a deal to reorganize where village government works from, and to save on overhead. Some of the money from the sale would rehabilitate the vacant fire station on Fennell Street and move the government and the police department there.
The next step in the process will come on Thursday, when the Skaneateles Village Board meets to consider the four proposals.
