Former Freedom Village gets new owners

LAKEMONT--Two area businessmen, Paul Jayne and Alvin Zimmerman, have purchased the former Freedom Village property.
The town of Starkey property at 5275 Route 14 was listed for sale with 151.5 acres of residential and vacant land. The property also includes 1,000 feet of Seneca Lake frontage, an indoor riding arena, a horse barn, two dorm buildings, two administration buildings along with five single family residences. The asking price was $2,650,000.
Local businessmen Paul Jayne and Alvin Zimmerman saw an opportunity. Jayne said, "It's a great property with some very nice Seneca Lake frontage. We can think of a number of uses that may make sense for that location. So we bought it for $1.25 million on Dec. 6."
Jayne said it could be a children's camp, a new regional resort, maybe a hostel.
Jayne said he and his partner Zimmerman have also talked with Steve Griffin of the Finger Lakes Economic Development Council for some development ideas. Jayne continued, "You know we may divide it up into different parcels and then again we may sell a larger piece of the property to a buyer that has a good plan. We'll see".
In March, 2018 Freedom Village USA, the former Lakemont facility for troubled youths operating under the name of Gates Community Chapel of Rochester, Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the western district court of New York. Fletcher A. Brothers was listed as president of the organization and the authorized representative of the debtor. The bankruptcy court documents also show Gates Community Chapel of Rochester, d/b/a Freedom Village, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 1990.