County will suspend ECCC project
By Donna Comella

Wayne County officials are expected to reject all bids tomorrow for the renovation and reconstruction of the Erie Canal Cultural Center (ECCC) in Lyons. All bids for the project came in last week at almost half a million dollars over the $2.5 million estimated cost.

The plan to convert the old J.L. Hammett building into a centerpiece for the Canal Corridor has been in the works since 1995, but has suffered several setbacks, including the loss of core tenants. The County took title to the Water Street building from the not-for-profit Erie Canal Cultural Center, Inc. last October. Federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding was secured for the project, and it appeared that the plan would finally come together.

Along with the expected rejection of bids, also on tomorrow's agenda is a resolution for the county to cancel its contract with ECCC Project Manager Tom Chappell. Chappell, who is also a Town of Arcadia Councilman, has been active with the ECCC project since 1995, shortly after it was first conceived. Chappell said today that he thinks the decision to suspend the renovation of this 'prime piece of Canal property' is shortsighted. Pointing to not only the loss of 'culture, arts and history,' Chappell said, 'They are losing a BOCES presence and the Department of Labor may now have to leave the county.' (Both would have been tenants in the Hammett building.)

He added, 'It's a shame the Village of Lyons is losing it, especially with the train station coming. Just look at the map and get your pencil out. The (property) connects to a County Park, the (Canal) Lock, the Hotchkiss Building, the historic district. It's all right there.'

And although he expects to be out of a contract as of tomorrow's meeting, Chappell said, 'There are a lot of incredible options. I don't think it's dead. I think it's a wonderful project. It's too bad that it's the non-profits that take the hit. The (ECCC, Inc.) board has all the sweat-equity in the project and now they have no physical space, and the county has a 42,000 square-foot piece of prime waterfront property.'

The Wayne County Board of Supervisors, looking to cut costs this year to avoid a major property tax increase in 2005, will meet tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. in the upstairs Supervisors' Chambers of the Old County Courthouse in Lyons.

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