Downtown building-for-sale sign disappears

The for sale sign has been removed from the former Hometown Store in downtown Seneca, and a realtor has confirmed a contract to sell the property is scheduled to close within a few weeks.  What the future might hold for the building and property that served as Seneca’s last downtown grocery store has been speculated.  Realtor John Adams says, for now, he is not able to identify the prospective buyer, but is aware of rumors—one of which centers on potential interest by city government.  “I think it would be fair to say that we’re looking at all property in downtown, in some of the areas, and how we can be a part in developing it,” Mayor Dan Alexander told 101.7/WGOG NEWS.  But Alexander said no council votes have been taken.  The mayor expressed the belief that, by investing in the downtown, city government can help bring back to life some areas.  And he recalled how John Fields, a 1990s mayor, helped lead the revitalization of Ramcat Alley.  Ramcat, a one-block section of the downtown, once was a part of town for children and ladies to avoid.  Today it is a collection of an eclectic set of shops and restaurants.  Word yesterday that two empty buildings, including the 99-year old building that housed Bergen’s Department Store, are being remodeled for restaurant purposes.