HAMBURG, N.Y. — It is still a mystery believe it or not as to who actually purchased the 75-acre McKinley Mall property for just under $8 Million dollars in an auction held back in May. But town officials in Hamburg say they are determined to try to find out who that mystery bidder is. For them, it is a matter of taxes and concern about the future economic development of the town.
Supervisor Randy Hoak says "We were hoping that the auction would bring new ownership, new energy - there's some questions now. So I think it's time that we talk to the various stakeholders including Benderson - they own a lot of property that is around the mall parcel in question so it's certainly a good idea to talk to those folks."
Supervisor Hoak is encouraged by one new development inside the mall property. The newly opened 16,000-square-foot Food Court Skate Park which was set up in a former mattress store is apparently drawing new interest.
"It's a creative use of former retail space and we're gonna have to get creative. We're gonna have to get innovative when it comes to that property. So not only has he been able to bring a successful business to the mall but he has attracted other businesses as well. So it's exciting, it's small but it's incremental progress", Hoak says.
There is also some optimism with the ongoing construction in the town of Orchard Park on the new Bills stadium. Some feel that a $1.5 billion project could perhaps spur more development over at the McKinley Mall which is only about two miles away to the west.
Since the stadium project basically sits on the border of Orchard Park and Hamburg, there could perhaps be more regional marketing in play including for the McKinley Mall property.
"We're already starting to look at land use around the stadium through that inter-municipal lens," Hoak says.
But that lens may still be a bit fogged in part as again it's not clear yet who is actually the new buyer of the mall in that auction.
Of course, Benderson Development lease signs are all over the back of the mall with their previously known ownership of the former Macy's stores and periphery property.
"It certainly is frustrating because we've identified this as the centerpiece of economic development in our town. The location couldn't be better with what's happening with the Bills and the new stadium - the access to the Thruway and to downtown," Hamburg Town Councilman Shawn Connolly says.
It also hurts them to see the acquisition and now forward movement for a town center development of the Great Northern Mall Property near Syracuse. That was another former property of the Kohan Real estate firm which decided to also sell off McKinley shortly after acquiring it.
So like the proposed mixed-use Eastern Hills and Boulevard projects, some feel a re-imagined McKinley Mall should follow that blend of housing, small office, retail, restaurant, and even hotels to help accommodate the new stadium down the road.
As Hoak notes they are trying to pave the way for change of the mall property.
"We've been approached with plenty of ideas. We haven't heard a lot of those ideas from the development community. The town of Hamburg, this is before my administration, they took the proactive step of creating an incentive zoning district, so there is some flexibility. And I think it's our job at the town to let the business community know that we're flexible. We're willing to work with you."
But as a priority, they want to definitely determine who the new owner is.
Hoak says "They still have to pay taxes. So somebody is going to be paying those taxes. At some point soon we'll know who's doing that."