Before and after images of the former Dunkirk Moose Lodge property in Silver Creek, NY. The lodge sat vacant and abandoned for several years before the Chautauqua County Land Bank Corporation was able to acquire the property and assist with the removal of the structure, resulting in the reuse of the lot by the Xmas Dave, LLC warehouse and distribution center. (Submitted Photos)
SILVER CREEK, NY – A long abandoned and unsafe structure in downtown Silver Creek was finally demolished last week with the assistance of the Chautauqua County Land Bank Corporation (CCLBC), the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA), and Chautauqua County.
The demolition is the final stage of a two-part strategy. The first stage occurred in June 2022, when the CCIDA approved sales tax abatement incentives for Xmas Dave, LLC to make renovations to the former 130,000 square-foot Petri Baking Products building, located at 18 Main Street in the village. Xmas Dave is owned by Dave Gordon of Erie County, New York. Gordon made improvements at the location to operate a warehouse and distribution center for his internet fulfillment operations business, Christmas.com. The facility also works with other major retailers, selling seasonal holiday decorations, patio furniture, pool accessories, and more. A ribbon cutting was held in January 2023 at the facility following the extensive renovations. PILOT incentives were applicable for this project.
The former Silver Creek Moose Lodge building was located at 259 Central Avenue, adjacent to the Xmas Dave warehouse. A fixture in the community since the early 1900s, the lodge sat vacant and abandoned for over a decade and was deemed unsafe and beyond repair by professional inspectors. In recent years, it had also been gutted and vandalized. The building was conveyed to the CCIDA in 2022 via the County’s tax foreclosure process, with approval from the Chautauqua County Legislature. The CCIDA then conveyed the property to Xmas Dave soon thereafter with plans to demolish the building and expand his operations.
Following extensive asbestos abatement in the large building, work stalled due to complications that significantly increased the cost of the demolition project. The CCLBC and the CCIDA then stepped in to assist. The CCLBC was able to secure funding from Chautauqua County grant funds designated for this purpose, and used the funding to cover a majority of the cost to demolish the building and remove the debris pile, with the remaining cost covered by Xmas Dave.
The additional property will significantly help with shipping operations for the Xmas Dave facility, with tractor trailers now having direct access into and out of the warehouse facility. Additionally, Gordon intends to use the parcel to expand his parking assets.
“The structure was a public hazard that simply could not be left in the condition that it was in. The community was suffering by the impasse; so we needed to step in,” said Gina Paradis, CCLBC Executive Director.
Mark Geise, Chairman of the Land Bank and CEO of the CCIDA, echoed the sentiment.
“The CCIDA was happy to facilitate the expansion of Mr. Gordon’s business into Silver Creek in 2022. We were equally pleased to help facilitate the transfer and demolition of the neighboring unsafe and unsightly Moose Lodge building since that time. Additionally, no property taxes were being paid on the building, and the additional real property tax revenue will benefit all of the taxing jurisdictions for many years,” said Geise. “I am proud of the work we did to overcome the complications of the demolition situation, thereby alleviating a safety hazard and assisting a key downtown business in Silver Creek. We are grateful to the Land Bank and the County for their assistance in bringing this project to fruition.”
About CCLBC - The Chautauqua County Land Bank Corporation (CCLBC) is a nonprofit corporation, operating under New York State authority, to assist communities within Chautauqua County address the issues of blight caused by vacant, abandoned, condemned, and foreclosed properties. Its ultimate goal is to reverse the trend of declining property values and further deterioration of Chautauqua County’s housing and commercial stock by stabilizing neighborhoods, encouraging private investment, and improving the quality of life for citizens throughout the County. For more information, visit CHQLandBank.org.
About CCIDA - The CCIDA is an economic development organization authorized and empowered by the State of New York to make Chautauqua County a better place to work, live, and visit. It facilitates development by attracting new businesses, while promoting the retention and expansion of existing businesses. Assistance in the form of incentives – tax abatements, low interest loans, and bond financing – enhances the opportunities for job creation and retention by our businesses. For more information visit ChooseCHQ.com.
