Mill Restoration for Rent plan unveiled
by ANDREA KIMBRIEL Reporter

Businesses and nonprofit organizations are being sought to partner in the Williamsville Water Mill restoration process.

A Restoration for Rent plan would allow entities to use the mill premises rent free for a lengthy period of time if they covered the expenses of the restoration required by the New York State Historic Preservation Office, said Trustee Jeff Kingsley, board liaison to the Mill Committee.

He announced the plan during the Williamsville Village Board meeting on Monday.

"If they're interested in assisting the village in restoration, we welcome any and all inquiries," Kingsley said.

He said multiple entities - businesses, nonprofit organizations, perhaps museums - could share the expense of the restoration and use the three buildings located on the historical property: the mill, the mill barn and the Ely-Zent House. All three structures must be restored according to SHPO guidelines, and their use must be approved by SHPO.

The board is examining options for funding what will likely constitute a multimillion-dollar project.

"It may be a viable solution for the mill if we found a stable, financially able company who had the interest in restoration," said Mayor Mary Lowther.

She said the board would need more information before the plan could be put into effect, but every possibility should be considered.

"This is a huge effort, and the (mill) committee is doing a wonderful job 'wrapping their arms around' the myriad of issues involved," she said.

A request for proposal will be drafted on Thursday, but earlier inquiries are welcome, Kingsley said. He said those interested in participating should contact village administrator Lynda Juul at 632-4120, ext. 3007.

"We're really opening it up. It will give them an opportunity to bring forth creativity. We'll let the market dictate what future uses are," he said.

The Village Board plans to determine a "period of significance" for the mill property by the next board meeting on March 10. The period of significance is the span of time deemed most important to the site's history. Renovations would have to be appropriate to the particular period chosen.

Two time periods have been suggested by the Restoration and Preservation Sub-Committee of the Mill Restoration Committee: 1827 until 1902 and 1811 to 1827 until 1946.

Those dates are significant in the mill's history because the structure was constructed sometime between 1811 and 1827, saw mill activities ended around 1902 and changes to the site after 1946 were made for preservation purposes rather than industrial purposes, according to a presentation made to the board by the Restoration and Preservation Sub-Committee.

"When we adopt one of the dates of historical significance it will dictate future use. It binds the village toward that period," Kingsley said.

According to Kingsley, the decision will move the project closer to receiving $200,000 in state grants.

"Once this board achieves this hurdle, there are very few hurdles left," he said.