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PERRYSBURG
Questions arise about sale of J.N. Adam site
By MARK SOMMER
News Staff Reporter
2/22/2005

A prominent assemblyman has raised questions about the state's proposed sale of a 650-acre site in Perrysburg that was rejected last month by the Buffalo Common Council.

Assemblyman Richard L. Brodsky, D-Westchester, who is chairman of the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, met last week in Albany with Mayor Anthony M. Masiello and officials from two state agencies who support the sale. He requested more information on the value of the former J.N. Adam Developmental Center and neighboring forest land.

"We want to make sure we avoid a mini-Erie Canal here," said Brodsky, whose committee helped pull the plug on Richard A. Hutchens' controversial designation last year as a developer along the New York State Canal System.

Brodsky said he was not yet prepared to draw conclusions but expects answers in the near future to his questions.

"The questions we have raised are substantial ... I expect answers as quickly as possible," Brodsky said.

The state Dormitory Authority is attempting to sell the Perrysburg site to Trathen Land Co. of York. Brodsky has called on the agency to provide more information on the status and value of the site's structures, timber and natural gas wells and to update or redo a 2000 appraisal of the property's value.

Brodsky's involvement came at the invitation of Common Council President David A. Franczyk, who said he was heartened by the assemblyman's involvement.

"His concerns are validating the issues I and others on the Council raised for many weeks," Franczyk said. "I think we have to look at the whole deal, and I think Assemblyman Brodsky gives us the chance to do that."

The Council voted, 5-4, on Jan. 12 to reject the Perrysburg sale, retaining the city's reversionary rights to the Cattaraugus County site. The state owns the land, but under a 1960 agreement, it reverts to the city, as the original owner, if it is no longer used to treat people with mental disorders.

The state is offering Buffalo 90 percent of the purchase price, or $339,300.

Brodsky, whose committee oversees state authorities, said there is no law regarding the way they dispose of public assets.

"Everyone agreed (in the meetings) that if a public asset is going to be sold, taxpayers should receive full value for the property," he said.

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