MONEYSAVER September 20, 2019 I
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Former Belmont Central School on market for nearly $200,000
Olean Times Herald File Photo
This photo shows the former Belmont Central School, which is listed for sale for $199,900.
BELMONT — “Commercial building on 3.9 acres in Belmont NY. Incredible opportunity for investors!” That’s how the listing for an expansive property opens on a broker’s Facebook page. The listing is more than 90,000 square feet with most of the infrastructure still intact, including a gymnasium, auditorium and an elevator. The property is the former Belmont Central School, listed by New York Land Quest for $199,900. “Lots of potential for several different ventures: office space, residential space, senior citizen home, community center, health center, or a mixed-use center,” the Facebook post indicates. “The local area welcomes the development of the
property. There are current drawings and plans for a rehabilitation center or for the remodeling of the building.” The former school is located just off Route 19 and a few minutes from Interstate 86. Allegany County sold the property for $1 to the Belmont Betterment Association in late 2007. Before that, the property was owned by the Allegany County Area Development Corp. Over the last dozen years, the Belmont Betterment Association has performed maintenance of the grounds and the building, including roofing work. The Association has also had plans drawn up for a rehabilitation center and remodeling.
Olean Times Herald File Photo
This photo shows the gymnasium in the former Belmont Central School.
The building has been sitting mostly idle since the Angelica and Belmont school districts merged and built the new Genesee Valley Central School in 2002. The listing of the property led to several Facebook comments from former students who attended the school — as well as from people with ideas about how the building could be utilized “This is breaking my heart,” one woman wrote. “So many memories that will live in my heart forever! I wish someone would buy and restore to a place that all the former students could be proud of!” Another comment: “Attended Kindergarten through High School
Graduation in 1964 there. Toured it with several classmates in 2014 during our 50th High School Reunion. Lots of Great Memories!! It's a shame it’s been empty so many years but is still in great shape. Hope it can be put to good use.” And: “Has anyone contacted the Historical Preservation Society of NY? I doubt the county would have the money, but this truly is an historical treasure. It could be protected by state policy. Someone needs to check it out. Think of the social services, eventual tourism, and community based programming that could be run out of there. Where is the Belmont Town Council on this? Time for some local activism!”