ONEONTA _ Developers hoping to win a contract to breathe new life into the former Bresee's complex pitched their qualifications, experience and ideas to the Common Council on Wednesday night.
The developers, including James Baldo of Oneonta, spoke before about 40 people, including aldermen, city officials and members of the public, at the Greater Oneonta Historical Society.
Baldo, a co-owner of Clinton Plaza and the developer of Winney Hill Commons in the West End, is the local developer for a consortium that includes Homes-4-U Development of Miami and Perry Ferrara, owner of CAT Construction.
Homes-4-U, Michael A. Treanor & Associates, and Ohio-based Bloomfield Schon responded to a request for proposals from the complex's owner, Otsego County Development Corporation, and the city of Oneonta, which leases the building from OCDC.
At the start of the meeting, Fifth Ward Alderman Rodger Moran said he would abstain from any discussions or votes regarding the downtown Main Street project.
Moran, a real-estate agent, later said this was due to his employer, the Benson Agency, being involved with some of the developers or their associates in the past.
"I am personally not involved with any of the developers in any way with this project," Moran said.
Moran worked with Baldo in marketing properties at Winney Hill Commons.
Baldo said he was looking at having about a dozen retail shops and 28 two-bedroom apartments. A restaurant and office space are also part of the plan, he said.
The former Bresee's would keep its original facade minus the metal front, but would be split by an atrium that would open up to small shops, Baldo said.
Other parts of the complex would likely be demolished, he said.
Michael Treanor said he envisions 12 to 14 retail shops and about 40 housing units consisting of one and two-bedroom apartments.
"We think we can save everything in the building," said Treanor, whose New York-based firm has done restoration work in the Watertown area similar to what is eyed for the former Bresee's complex.
Treanor said his firm focuses on preserving the historical quality of buildings.
Ken Schon, whose company is active in the Ithaca area, said much needs to be done before a specific design can be presented.
"We don't necessarily have a proposal for the building. What we have is a process where you have control of the building," Schon told the group. "We will be open with you and we will not make decision by ourselves."
Schon said all of his firm's buildings are LEED-certified, which means they meet nationally recognized standards for energy conservation and sustainability.
Members of the audience grilled the developers on parking, potential collateral damage to nearby buildings during construction, and issues regarding union and local construction employment.
Common Council members were each given evaluation forms to complete, and the public was invited by the mayor to submit comments to the city clerk.
"All of that information will be provided to Otsego County Development Corporation," Nader said.
OCDC is expected to make a final decision on a developer later this month.
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