Richmondville officials are demanding that Stella McKenna them about plans to sell her closed Maranatha gym in Warnerville.
Town attorney JR Parshall sent two letters to Roger Mallery, Ms. McKenna's attorney, each one insisting that if she plans to sell, the town must know in writing.
Contacted Friday, Mr. Mallery said a firm is interesting buying the closed gym and he "was sure" Ms. McKenna would respond to the town's request.
The $5.6 million Maranatha Family Center opened in October 2012 but closed last fall when electricity was shut off for non-payment.
Richmondville received two state grants totaling nearly $3 million to help construct the gym, and the terms of grants dictate that Ms. McKenna let the town know in writing if she plans to sell.
That's necessary, Mr. Parshall said, so that the state may waive recapture clauses that may require repayment of some of the grant money.
Although Maranatha has been closed for months, recent rumors that a pharmaceutical company is interested in the building triggered Mr. Parshall's letters.
He sent one May 2; he added a follow-up letter May 16.
The letters not only urge Ms. McKenna to comply with the grant terms, they also maintain that the gym should serve a purpose.
". . .The town hereby demands that Ms. McKenna do everything within her capabilities to put the taxpayers' monies to good use, including the selling of the facility for the best fair market price obtainable," the second letter reads.
Maranatha is currently in foreclosure proceedings, which leaves its future uncertain--unless there's a sale, Mr. Parshall said.
The letter also contends that Maranatha is also unlikely to reopen as a fitness center.
"With the property currently in foreclosure, an unpaid $30,000+ electric bill, several filed tax liens and judgments in excess of $150,000, and a court order signed by a Supreme Court Justice for the seizure and removal of the fitness equipment, it is pretty clear that Maranatha is closed for good at that location," the letter reads.
Another business, the letter continues, would have "the building reopened to create much needed jobs."
"We're demanding that she sell it, not refuse any reasonable offer, and get it out from foreclosure," Mr. Parshall said.
"We want to see taxpayers' money put to work. We want the building put to good use."
So do Mr. Mallery and his client. He said Friday that "we're doing everything we can" to sell the building, and he hopes the interested firm follows through.
He also said Ms. McKenna would notify the town about the possible sale.
Ms. McKenna was contacted for this story but did not comment.