DEVELOPER LOOKING TO BUY MOTHERHOUSE

ON PARCEL OF LAND AMHERST HOPES TO ACQUIRE

Buffalo News,   May 13, 1998  by Patrick Lakamp

      A Syracuse developer wants to buy the four-story St. Mary of the Angels motherhouse owned by the Sisters of St. Francis just north of Williamsville.

       Peregrine Cos. has offered $1.9 million to the religious order for the motherhouse and 12.6 acres. The developer would convert the structure into a 160-unit home for the elderly.

       The developer has told Amherst officials -- who for months have worked to buy 100 acres owned by the order, including the sprawling motherhouse -- that he hopes the town buys the remaining undeveloped land around the building.

       Another option calls for the town to buy the entire property and then sell the motherhouse to the developer.

       Either prospect looks attractive to a majority of the seven-member Town Board -- even more so since a consultant has provided cost estimates of renovating the motherhouse.

       Renovating the entire motherhouse to accommodate town uses would cost about $8.8 million, according to the report by Ronald J. Battaglia of Flynn Battaglia Architects of Buffalo.

       The cost would be lower if the town opted for minor renovations, Battaglia said.

       The town hired the architectural firm to evaluate possible uses of the building and to estimate potential renovation costs if the town acquires the property at 400 Mill St.

       The motherhouse, built in the late 1920s, could be used for town purposes after renovations, including new mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, Battaglia said. A "major gut renovation" is unneeded, he said.

       "There's a lot of cost there," Council Member Jane S. Woodward said of the Battaglia report. "I don't want us to have to pay that. I think it's a magnificent building. I want to see it preserved. I don't want the town to be the owner of that building. I would like to find someone appropriate to buy it."

       "There's no way we're going to spend $8 million to renovate that facility," Council Member James P. Hayes said.

       Board members William L. Kindel and Michael G. McGuire also oppose the town renovating the motherhouse.

       The Town Board voted in February to buy 100 acres owned by the Sisters of St. Francis and is expected to make a purchase offer soon.

       The town would spend as much as $5 million to buy the property. Last week, Gov. Pataki announced the state would reimburse the town for half of the purchase price.

       Most Town Board members want the land for a large park that would be centrally located in the town. But they're unsure what, if anything, to do with the motherhouse if the town acquires the property.

       Stephen S. Bowman of Peregrine Cos. has offered this deal to Amherst officials: allow the sisters to sell the motherhouse and 12.6 acres to Peregrine Cos., leaving the remaining land for the town to buy and turn into a park.

       Bowman said his plan offers several advantages. He said he would:

       Allow the town to designate the motherhouse a landmark and preserve the interior and exterior architecture.

       Pay property taxes as a private developer.

       Create 60 to 70 jobs.

       Fill a demand for moderately priced assisted-living units for the elderly.

       Operate under existing zoning.

       Have less traffic impact on Mill Street than a commercial project.

       "I believe this could be a true win-win situation for all parties if you would permit the Sisters to carve out the property I'm interested in buying and have the town purchase only the remaining undeveloped land," Bowman wrote in a letter to the Town Board.