Kristine Morabitio with the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency and Thomas Whitney with STEL discuss the Silver Creek senior apartments project which will be built where the old Silver Creek School building sits on Main Street in the village. P-J photo by Gregory Bacon

An eyesore in Silver Creek could be gone within a few months.

Thomas Whitney with STEL, Inc. gave an update on the Silver Creek senior apartments project, which will be constructed where the dilapidated former Silver Creek High School building sits, Tuesday.

Whitney was in attendance at the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency meeting to request a change in the mortgage tax abatement, increasing it by $23,426, which was unanimously approved by the board.

While in attendance, Whitney went over the timeline of the senior apartment project. He said they hope to close on the building, located at 60 Main St., in the “first quarter of 2025.”

Whitney said once they officially own the property, demolition will begin probably within a month.

He said they already have a construction permit and are working on a demolition permit. Because the building has asbestos in it, there are many requirements by the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

One example he gave is that there’s water in the basement of the building. That water is currently being tested and depending on the testing, the DEC will give guidance on how it must be removed. “We’ve been working diligently on this. We’re kind of at the mercy of the state,” Whitney said.

Once demolition begins, Whitney said he expects it will take six weeks to two months to complete.

Whitney said they would like to start constructing the 54 senior apartment building right after the old school is torn down. He thinks it will take 12 to 14 months to complete.

According to Whitney, when they’re around 3 months from completion, they will begin taking applications. “We will probably have more people (than spots) so we’ll have to do a lottery,” he said.

The project is considered “affordable” housing, so there are maximum income requirements. Individuals must be 62 years or older.

There will also be 15 units set aside for supportive housing for seniors with disabilities.

Officials said previously that 51 of the apartments would have a single bedroom, and three would be two-bedroom apartments. Within the building there would also be a community room, fitness room, laundry facilities and an onsite property management office. The facility would also include a large parking lot for up to 70 vehicles, along with a patio and shed.

The former Silver Creek High School has been closed since 1978. Previous attempts to find a developer to renovate the building were unsuccessful.

Whitney said the roof has collapsed and the ceiling inside has fallen down. About a dozen years ago STEL wanted to remodel the building into apartments but couldn’t secure the funding. This time around they were able to land a $6.9 million state grant.

STEL, which stands for Southern Tier Environments for Living, Inc. is partnering with Park Grove Development on the housing project.