Shepard Niles buildings come down

MONTOUR FALLS--Demolition work began last week at the former Shepard Niles facility in Montour Falls. Owners Welliver McGuire Inc. had the demolition approved by the Montour Falls planning board, but have not yet submitted a site plan for what they intend to do with the lot once demolition is complete. The buildings were once part of a factory that produced ship hoists.
Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development (SCOPED) Executive Director Judy McKinney Cherry said one of the ideas for the use of the new space is for a new business park, an idea that was previously mentioned by Montour Falls Mayor John King, along with being a potential Start Up N.Y. program location. Cherry said the site would be a prime location for such a business park development should Welliver choose to go that route following demolition.
"It's a beautiful campus," Cherry said. "It really has the potential to be a very robust business park. That would have a positive impact not only on the county but on the village of Montour Falls, no question. Because of where it is situated it is actually ideal for a professional business park."
Cherry said she does not have any concrete information regarding Welliver's plans for the site, but emphasized the site would be an ideal location for a business park. While the Shepard Niles company has been a historical fixture in Montour Falls since 1878, it has been closed since 2002. Cherry said it "would be very valuable" to make the location a "job center" in the community like Shepard Niles used to be.
"Any time you can bring in new well-paying jobs for the local residents to participate in or to bring in new residents, that is always very good," Cherry said.
Welliver could not be reached for comment.