The Hotel Lenhart remains up for sale in Bemus Point despite a $10 million renovation plan in the works for more than a year. The hotel was not open this past summer. P-J file photos

BEMUS POINT — A year ago this month, Bill and Jill Curry went before the Bemus Point Village Board to detail their grand plans for the iconic Hotel Lenhart.

Both expressed excitement in preserving the property’s rich history while adding modern features that would make it a year-round destination in the village.

Though viewed at the time as owners-in-waiting, the Currys have yet to close on the deal while one of the hotel’s current owners said others have expressed interest in purchasing the property.

“Chautauqua Lake Hospitality LLC and our resolute team have quietly continued in our goal of purchasing The Hotel Lenhart while still under a binding purchase agreement,” the Currys said in comments posted in a recent Magnolia Magazine and shared with The Post-Journal.

The Currys said purchasing the Lakeside Drive hotel has been “more time-consuming” than originally planned. They also have “remained bound to the original plans” to purchase the hotel to make it a year-round operation through $10 million in upgrades.

“The renovation plans shared were carefully derived from a six-month review of all the structures and the components that make up our campus concept,” the Currys told Magnolia Magazine. “There will not be a dilution of the renovation plans.”

They added, “The original promise — to operate a year-round campus with a commitment to unmatched hospitality while also introducing and supporting many amenities unique to the area — remains. We will strive to regain The Hotel Lenhart’s community grandeur.”

In July, William and Jill Curry told The Post-Journal they were still committed to taking ownership of the hotel despite “for sale” signs going up months after their interest was first reported. At the time, they noted a delay in securing the necessary financing to purchase the hotel and begin its modernization.

“It’s been a journey,” Jill Curry said in July. “We’ve not been able to work an arrangement with anyone locally, which has had us look outside of the community. We had hoped to work with a local lender, but there seems to be interest from folks who finance hospitality. We feel like we’re pretty close here on being able to secure a closing date.”

Bebe Johnston, who co-owns the Hotel Lenhart with her brother, told the newspaper last week she has not heard from the Currys in a couple of months regarding a possible sale. She’s still hopeful a deal can come together, but did note that others have come forward expressing interest in obtaining the hotel and three nearby homes — located at 2 Lenhart Ave., 8 Lenhart Ave., and 32 Alburtus Ave. — the Johnstons also are looking to sell.

The 50-plus-room hotel and the three homes are currently listed for sale at $4 million.

With no new owners lined up last year, the hotel sat closed over the summer. Johnston said she has no plans to reopen the facility herself; any future plans will need to come from new ownership, she said.

In their comments to the magazine, the Currys said their purchase efforts have allowed them to meet “many amazing people.”

“We have established relationships with ambitious area residents and businesses, along with local and State government agencies. There have been many conversations shared, where we’ve discovered like-minded interests, disciplines and visions. Support and hope have been expressed all while addressing the hurdles along the way.”