Council keeps potential sale of 3140 South Park on hold as buyer progress continues elsewhere

The Lackawanna City Council discussed but did not finalize action April 7 on the potential sale of a city-owned vacant lot at 3140 South Park to Amana Enterprises.

Administration staff and council members reported there has been renewed, though uneven, communication with Amana’s principal and that the transaction remains contingent on the closing of an adjoining parcel (the former Pat McCusker tax building at 3144 South Park). City staff said there is no signed purchase contract for the 3144 parcel or for 3140; under New York law a signed contract is required to create an enforceable sale of real property. Because the sale of 3140 is conditional on the adjoining closing, staff told the council the city’s financial risk is minimal while the other closing is pending.

Council members debated procedural details about the item’s tabling. One councilmember asked whether to re-table the item to restart the 90‑day tabling period; others noted that if the current 90‑day holder expires the administration can present a new agenda item later. After discussion the council agreed not to rescind the prior tabled status and to treat the matter as continued; no formal rescission of the previous motion was recorded and no final sale motion was taken.

Councilmembers asked administration to provide updates as they become available and noted that if Amana does not close on the adjoining parcel the city retains full ownership of 3140 South Park. The council did not set a new deadline or take a vote to remove the item from the table at the April 7 meeting.