CORTLAND Developers prepare land at Routes 46 and 305

The water and sewer lines at the site should be complete by next week.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
CORTLAND -- Two land developers say they are making their properties ripe for business opportunities at busy state Routes 46 and 305.
The property is prime for development, said Rich Musick of Cortland. Real estate developer Dennis Lewis Sr. agrees.
Musick owns 23 acres on the southeast corner, and Lewis, of Howland, owns about 15 acres on the northeast corner.
Musick said he and Lewis formed a partnership to lay 1,200 feet of waterline along the Route 46 frontage, and 949 feet of sanitary sewer.
City Service Director Don Wittman said the waterline is longer than the sewer, because the waterline was connected to the one at Windsor Drive.
When complete, the lines will be turned over to the city to maintain.
Construction should be completed by next week, Musick said. Lewis said the project is taking a little longer than expected because workers ran into solid rock.
Plans unclear
Lewis said Wednesday that he has no solid plans of what will be constructed on his property. He is in the process of clearing the land.
He said he had once planned to put a small grocery store and pharmacy on the property, but studies showed the population couldn't support it. Those plans were dropped.
The land is just south of the Seven Seventeen Credit Union now under construction along Route 46.
Musick said he has received a lot of interest in his acreage, noting it has direct access to state Route 11 by Route 305.
Although he has no specific plans for the property, Musick said what makes it valuable is that it is zoned commercial and has a liquor permit assigned to it, as does the Lewis property.
Musick said he wants to see a "neat restaurant," wine bar or grocery store built, noting he lives across the street from the land and has to look at whatever is built.
Musick said he is willing to sell parcels of the property or build for a renter.
yovich@vindy.com