ALDEN, N.Y. — If you drive past the old Erie County Home on Walden Avenue, you might notice a new 'for sale' sign up on the property.
"I said why couldn't we put a for sale by owner sign and let's see if we can get some inquiries. [It] couldn't hurt. The folks at the administration said, 'Okay. We can do that,'" said Erie County Legislator John Bruso.
Erie County closed the facility in 2005. An abandonment study was completed in 2013 and recommended the county sell the property as is or demolish the buildings and sell the land instead of trying to reuse the facility.
The main building is 650,000 square feet. There are also four other buildings on the 152-acre site, two of which are currently being used by the grounds maintenance and sheriff's office.
No remediation work has been done on the property. Half of the property is controlled wetlands which would limit development.
Still, there seems to be some interest in the property. A week after the sign went up, the county got three inquiries from developers in Western New York, Philadelphia, and New York City, according to Bruso.
Right now the county has not decided on an asking price.
Bruso said the next steps are for the county to find a broker and tour the property with the interested parties.
Anyone who is interested in the property should call (716) 858-8300. The county's public works department is keeping a list of interested parties and their information.