A land swap of two Amherst golf courses that would pave the way for major development near the University at Buffalo may not happen after all.
The proposed swap of the town’s Audubon Golf Course and the privately owned Westwood Country Club appears to be in jeopardy after town leaders rejected the country club’s “final offer” on the deal.
“It appears that this matter has hit a dead end unless significant increases are made in your offer,” Deputy Town Attorney Patrick M. Kelly wrote in a letter sent Tuesday to Westwood leaders.
Because the Westwood developers characterized the proposal as a “best” offer, “the town is not actively looking to negotiate any further,” Kelly added.
Earlier this week, Mensch Capital Partners proposed that the town swap 160 acres of its Audubon course for the 170-acre Westwood course and $2 million in cash. They also proposed a second scenario in which the town would receive less cash in exchange for keeping more of the Audubon course.
Andrew J. Shaevel, managing partner of Mensch, called the deal a “win-win” for the town, but it’s clear Amherst leaders don’t see it that way.
Kelly said the town was “extremely disappointed” in Westwood’s refusal to allow Amherst officials to conduct due diligence at the site or inspect old records at the facility.
Westwood’s own report on needed repairs to the site “lacks depth,” he wrote, and does not address concerns about asbestos, old plumbing or handicap accessibility issues that could cost the town “millions of dollars” in repairs.
Town officials also took issue with the developers’ proposed ability to walk away from the deal at any time and to have their expenses covered fully by the town if the deal fell through.
Mensch last year proposed a mixed-use complex that they said would include shops, restaurants and hotels and better integrate UB’s North Campus with the surrounding community.
Shaevel earlier this week said Mensch would look to develop the Westwood site if it could not get control of the Audubon site.
email: cspecht@buffnews.com
The proposed swap of the town’s Audubon Golf Course and the privately owned Westwood Country Club appears to be in jeopardy after town leaders rejected the country club’s “final offer” on the deal.
“It appears that this matter has hit a dead end unless significant increases are made in your offer,” Deputy Town Attorney Patrick M. Kelly wrote in a letter sent Tuesday to Westwood leaders.
Because the Westwood developers characterized the proposal as a “best” offer, “the town is not actively looking to negotiate any further,” Kelly added.
Earlier this week, Mensch Capital Partners proposed that the town swap 160 acres of its Audubon course for the 170-acre Westwood course and $2 million in cash. They also proposed a second scenario in which the town would receive less cash in exchange for keeping more of the Audubon course.
Andrew J. Shaevel, managing partner of Mensch, called the deal a “win-win” for the town, but it’s clear Amherst leaders don’t see it that way.
Kelly said the town was “extremely disappointed” in Westwood’s refusal to allow Amherst officials to conduct due diligence at the site or inspect old records at the facility.
Westwood’s own report on needed repairs to the site “lacks depth,” he wrote, and does not address concerns about asbestos, old plumbing or handicap accessibility issues that could cost the town “millions of dollars” in repairs.
Town officials also took issue with the developers’ proposed ability to walk away from the deal at any time and to have their expenses covered fully by the town if the deal fell through.
Mensch last year proposed a mixed-use complex that they said would include shops, restaurants and hotels and better integrate UB’s North Campus with the surrounding community.
Shaevel earlier this week said Mensch would look to develop the Westwood site if it could not get control of the Audubon site.
email: cspecht@buffnews.com