The historic Trinity Episcopal Church was set to be transformed into a boutique hotel, events center, and restaurant by early 2023, but construction has yet to commence despite a $3.6 million tax incentive package from the city’s Industrial Development Agency. Developer Mark McGroarty of McGroarty Investments, who bought the South Main Street site for $340,000, tells the Finger Lakes Times that he remains committed to the Trinity Church Inn project but cited multiple reasons for the construction delay.
High inflation has increased construction cost estimates, prompting the developer to work with contractors on cost reduction without compromising the project’s quality. Additionally, McGroarty is pursuing historic tax credits that require approval from the state Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and the U.S. Department of Interior. Although SHPO granted approval in late March, the Department of Interior’s endorsement is still pending. Investors interested in historic tax credits typically await final approval before considering a project.
McGroarty also emphasized that the ideal opening date for the establishment is March or mid-April 2024 to capitalize on the tourist season. As a result, the opening date directly affects the construction timeline. Furthermore, McGroarty mentioned the possibility of partnering with investors, operators, or other developers, as he never intended to operate the project independently.
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