Pictured are renderings of the proposed Hotel Lenhart. Submitted photos
Chautauqua County officials are doing their part to help a Bemus Point hotel become a year-round attraction.
During this week’s county Industrial Development Agency meeting, the board approved a $500,000 loan to Chautauqua Lake Hospitality, LLC for equipment and working capital for Hotel Lenhart. Board members also started the process to give the company a Payment In Lieu Of Taxes agreement. The PILOT would be for 15 years for sales and mortgage tax exemption and property tax abatement. They are eligible as a “tourism destination” business.
Rosie Strandburg with the county IDA discussed the resolutions before the vote. She noted that developers Jill and Bill Curry are proposing to “purchase and reimagine” the hotel, which sits on Chautauqua Lake. “The $9.8 million budget includes property acquisition, building renovation, site improvements, furniture fixtures and equipment and working capital,” she said.
Strandburg said the project will revitalize one of the last “grand hotels” on the lake, creating a four-season destination that will attract visitors to Bemus Point and generate commercial activity.
She said the project will create 65 temporary jobs during construction and 46 full-time equivalent positions when the hotel is ready for operations. That number is expected to increase to 58 full-time positions after three years of operation.
Pictured are renderings of the proposed Hotel Lenhart.
DEVELOPERS DESCRIBE PROJECT
Bill Curry said he has more than 40 years of experience as a building designer while Jill has been in the hospitality business for 35 years. “This is ideal for us. Restoration is my specialty,” he said.
Curry said the building needs significant upgrades in safety. They also want to design the building so it has full access for anyone who comes to the campus.
For the lounge, they plan on offering breakfast, lunch and light dinners. There will also be patios installed.
Although the property will be remodled, those who have been to the hotel before will still recognize it. “The goal is to keep the hotel looking like it always has, just dressed up,” Curry said.
There is an exterior building which was a laundry facility. That is going to become a stand-alone bakery and creamery. “Although the main kitchen of the hotel will do baking as well, we’ll have some smaller things, so people can come and visit that area directly,” he said.
The changes, Curry explained, will make Hotel Lenhart an attraction for the general public. “We want to make this a walking campus for everyone to visit. We don’t just want guests to come for our hotel,” he said.
He envisions art shows and farmers markets on the grounds. “The community can enjoy this campus as well as guests year round,” Curry said.
The pool will be upgraded so it can be open until Jan. 1. “It will be heated, steaming, and hopefully it will be an attraction for all to enjoy,” he said.
Curry salvaged three greenhouses from Lake Champlain a few years ago, which were built in 1905. He plans on bringing one of them to Bemus Point and use it as a solarium.
The employee housing will be relocated and the current housing area will be turned into a spa.
The hotel has 57 rooms. It will be reduced to 40 so every room can have a bathroom and some rooms can be combined for suites. “We won’t be eliminating any walls. We’re going to keep the building as it is. We’re going to be modernizing it and adding some things in places to make it better for our guests ,” he said.
The fire escapes will be improved and enclosed. “I’m a code enthusiast. This building will be the benchmark for code compliance for Chautauqua County at all levels,” Curry said.
Changes will be made to the roof top, including new stair towers, a full access bathroom and a fully functioning bar. “You will have a 360 degree view of the lake from that area,” he said.
Jill Curry said the hotel will have places where people can gather around a fireplace, enjoying a glass of wine or cup of coffee. “We intend to create some very magical rooms,” she said.
Jill Curry noted they plan on having an online presence and will be available year-round. They hope to get up to four massage therapists for the spa. “There seems to be some demand for that,” she said.
Jill Curry said they are looking at doing things like holding wine dinners monthly to draw guests from Buffalo, Cleveland and Pittsburgh.
The dining room will be renamed the “Crystal Room” and can be used for life celebrations such as small weddings, birthday parties, retirements, graduations and more.
Jill Curry said their daughter is a professional baker and will be overseeing the stand-alone bakery.
TIMELINE
Bill Curry said they would like to close by April 30. They think the project will take around nine months to complete and open after the work is done.
The project is contingent upon other funds coming from the state. Jill Curry said they are seeking a $2 million Restore New York Grant, which the village has applied for. They don’t know when they will hear about that. They are also applying for a second $2 million grant, which is due April 15. Notification for that grant is expected in May or June. They’re also working with M&T Bank. Their own cash in is $1.2 million.
The IDA Board of Directors unanimously approved the resolutions for the loan and to start the progress for the tax breaks.
IDA Chairman Gary Henry thanked the Currys for their presentation. “When you’re taking on a project this big and this important to the community, it’s nice to know that the people that are involved know what they’re doing and it’s something they’ve been involved with for a long time. We certainly wish you the best and hope all these other grants and all these things can come together and we can move ahead on this,” he said.
For More Information On Chautauqua Lake & County Real Estate and Living Visit: chautauqualakehomes.com
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