Leishman Point considered as site of luxury adult home
by James Schlett, Times Staff Writer
First published: Tuesday, April 15, 2003
WADDINGTON - The Town Council agreed Monday night to delay approving any construction at Leishman Point so the feasibility of a luxury adult home there can be studied. The decision came shortly after the council accepted the resignation of town Supervisor W. Reginald Greene. He had been supervisor since 1990. He said he left because of heart problems and a desire to spend more time with his family.
Subsequently, William Dalton resigned from the council so he could be appointed supervisor. He will serve until November's elections. His council position was not filled Monday.
The Hamister Group and Companies, a conglomeration of health-care groups and professional sports teams, received a green light from officials to continue its evaluation of the area to see if it can sustain an estimated 120-bed facility for seniors who are financially and physically well off.
Monday's decision futher complicates the fate of a proposed 16-luxury-home project at Leishman Point, which is a 45-acre plot two miles west of downtown Waddington. The Waddington Redevelopment Association, a local grass-roots group, in November asked the Town Council to give it the winter to explore other development possibilities for the property.
In January 2002, the New York Power Authority gave 21 acres of land at Leishman Point to the town. The point has been described as having one of the most beautiful vistas of the St. Lawrence River in 50 miles.
Town officials have been struggling with what to do with the property now that it is back on the tax roll. The grass-roots group says the adult home could add about $10 million to the town's tax base.
"This is more like a hotel with nurses," said Matthew D. O'Bryan, a Waddington resident and administrator for Potsdam's MedLink home care service.
"It's for people who are physically well off, and it's where the
elderly can live out their day," he said.
Mr. O'Bryan, on behalf of Hamister Group President Mark Hamister, presented the Town
Council with the request to delay any decision about development of the property until
June 30.
The company and it affiliates, which include the MedLink Group, employ 4,000 people in three states. The group also owns the Buffalo Destroyers and other Arena Football League teams, and operates several adult homes in Western New York.
The cost of living at the adult home would be roughly $100 per day or $3,000 a month. Rent would cover care and meal expenses. It could employ about 85 people, Mr. O'Bryan said. The facility would be considered privately owned and taxable.
E-mail: jschlett@wdt.net
Used with permission