Steve St. George, Alan Steinberg, and John Atzrott are aiming to close a deal on the Dunkirk Marina by next month.
Three people with local ties are stepping in to take over the Dunkirk Marina.
Mark Geise, director and chief executive officer of the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency meeting, announced during Tuesday’s IDA board meeting that Steve St. George, Alan Steinberg, and John Atzrott, are in the process of purchasing the marina. “They’re looking to potentially close in the next several weeks,” Geise said.
A little over a year ago, it was announced that Peter Smith was purchasing the assets, membership interests and assumptions of the lease of the Dunkirk marina, with the consent of the county IDA.
But then weeks later Smith ended up in legal trouble. He faced criminal charges for allegedly firing a gun at, and painting the threat “Confes (sic) or die” on, the house of someone he believes stole something from him.
In a separate matter, on July 30, Smith was accused of stuffing fish to win a Bart’s Cove tournament. He was disqualified the next day.
In September Dunkirk officials had gone on record wanting to evict Smith’s company from operating the marina.
In October, it was announced that the county IDA was overseeing plans for the marina as a new owner was sought.
During Tuesday’s IDA meeting, board members approved a resolution “consenting to the assignment and assumption of the Al Tech Loans to Chadwick Bay Marina, LLC and Pier, LLC.” Geise said this resolution was necessary in the transition of the marina from Smith to St. George, Steinberg and Atzrott because of a loan that was originally obtained by Smith.
St. George, a well known developer in Fredonia, is one of the new owners of the White Inn, which is being renovated after being closed for several years. St. George is also the developer of Bella Estates in the village.
Steinberg is a familiar name in Chautauqua County. He has purchased and sold a number of buildings and factories throughout the area. Some of his past ownership projects include the former Moose Club, the former Carriage House in Fredonia, the Colburn Block in Dunkirk, and 423-427 Central Ave. in Dunkirk. He also currently owns the former Premier Lakewood, Inc. factory which closed in 2014.
Atzrott’s Linked-In page lists him as a Fredonia resident and the president of Northland Contracting, Inc. in Dunkirk.
Dunkirk Development Director Vince DeJoy, who was at Tuesday’s meeting, expressed support for the new buyers. “We have a great deal of confidence in Mr. St. George and his team of investors and operators. We have some DRI (Downtown Revitalization Initiative) funding that’s going to improve it,” he said.
The resolution regarding the transfer of the loan was approved by all board members except Brad Walters who abstained during the vote.