Resident asks attorney to review sale

HAMMONDSPORT—Simon Sananas, a Hammondsport resident and an artist, is having the Peter H. Baker law office review the deed of the former Glenn H. Curtiss memorial school before the pending sale of the property is finalized.
On Nov. 15, the Hammondsport school board accepted an offer from developer Jim Keena to purchase the former Curtiss school for $50,000. The price was significantly down from the three previous accepted offers—$300,000 from Urbana, $301,000 from Sananas, and $302,000 from developer Bill Lack—because of needed roof, septic and asbestos repairs. Keena previously explained his plans for the property included turning the building into apartments. Keena is the fourth approved buyer of the property. All other offers fell through before the sale could be completed. Hammondsport Superintendent Kyle Bower added Sananas submitted an offer on the property after Keena had been selected this year. Bower said the board expects the sale to be finalized by the first week in January.
Sananas said he wants the former Curtiss school to become the Curtiss Community Art Museum and Cultural Center. Monday, Dec. 16, he said he is having a lawyer review the deed after speaking with the Curtiss family. Sananas said he is waiting to hear back from the law firm, located in Hammondsport, before deciding what to do next. He explained he may take legal action. Bower confirmed the district was contacted last week by the law firm seeking paperwork.
Cheryl Hudson-Curtiss, relative by marriage to Glenn Curtiss, said in an email, “the Hammondsport Central School District once again . . . ignore[s] the fact that relatives of Glenn Curtiss do exist and are interested in honoring the Lena P. Curtiss Wheeler deed.” According to the deed, the property will be used by the purchaser and “their successors and assigns forever, for educational purposes.” She said turning the building into apartments does not honor that deed.
Bower said the district sought legal advice about “what, if any, restrictions existed” on the sale since it was first put on the market. He explained the district was “advised there were no restrictions.” Bower added the “property buyers were aware of the language” in the deed.
Hudson-Curtiss also said the Hammondsport district did not contact the Curtiss family in regards to the former school being offered for sale. She said she didn’t know it was up for sale again until Sananas contacted her. However, Bower said “we’re not under any obligation to notify anyone.”
Hudson-Curtiss previously spoke to the board Jan. 18, 2012, saying the district should honor the deed to keep the property for educational purposes. Hudson-Curtiss said, “I felt disrespected at that meeting.” At the time, the district also heard two proposals to purchase the property. One was from Keena, which was originally not accepted. The second was from Sananas who wanted to turn the property into a museum and art center.
Sananas’ offer was approved by the district in 2012 for $301,000. Bower said Sananas “withdrew (the offer) within the due diligence period.” Sananas said he asked for a two-month extension. However, he explained the district wanted an additional $10,000 in addition to the two extra months. He said he felt “pushed to stop the sale.” After that, the district sought a third buyer for the school.
Bower added no one had contacted Hammondsport in opposition of the sale to Keena until last Friday, Dec. 13, when Hudson-Curtiss emailed the district