WASHINGTONVILLE Council mulls selling cabin

WASHINGTONVILLE -- Village officials are considering selling the log cabin community center on School Street.
Mayor Michael Donnalley said he had some inquiries about the structure, vacated by the village last year.
Donnalley told council Tuesday that if there is interest in the building, the village should take bids for it.
Council directed Village Solicitor Richard Shelar to prepare a bid ordinance.
Building's history: Donnalley said the log cabin was built in the 1970s, and the village began using it as a village hall, police headquarters and community center around 1978.
It was the base for village operations until last year, when officials left it in favor of the former fire station a few doors up the street.
Donnalley said there is not enough revenue for the village to maintain both buildings.
Although the log cabin was built 30 years ago, the logs are much older, Donnalley said. Some were taken from a home that once stood a few yards in front of the cabin, while others were brought in from elsewhere, he said.
Donnalley said there might be some historical value to the building, or some builders might be interested in the logs.
Whether someone buys and moves the whole thing or dismantles it, either would be better than simply demolishing it or burning it down, he said.
Donnalley said that, before completion of the cabin, village offices and the police department were in the old village hall at the corner of Union and School Streets. That building was later torn down, and a private residence was built on the site.