Ian Rolland is optimistic, but realistic, about a second chance to sell the Oakwood property in Syracuse.
After a lengthy battle over the property, Buckingham Companies LLC pulled out of the sale of the property in April.
At a status hearing Friday, Kosciusko County Superior Court I Judge Duane Huffer gave the receiver, Rolland, the power to search for another purchaser for the Oakwood property.
Rolland informed Huffer that he has had several parties who are interested in the purchase of the property.
“At this point we have to market the property,” Rolland said this morning during an interview with the Times-Union. “There are interested parties. We have to work with them to get a positive outcome.”
Looking ahead to a possible second chance to sell the property, Rolland said he thinks it is possible to sell it again.
“I am realistic to know that it didn’t work out once,” Rolland said, “but that doesn’t affect the future. I am optimistic about the process.”
When asked whether or not the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation will be a factor in the sale of the 25-acre property on Lake Wawasee, Rolland said, “I don’t think so, but it has before.”
In addition to allowing Rolland to look for a new buyer for the property, Huffer gave Rolland the power to broaden the scope of the sale. Rolland can now look for almost anyone to purchase the property, even developers.
Rolland informed Huffer in his ninth report to the court that he was running low on funds to procure the sale of the property. At the hearing Huffer gave Rolland the ability to search out a loan up to $250,000 to help sell the property.
“The judge gave me the ability to get more funds, he did not give me the funds,” Rolland said. “My hope is that amount will be enough to finish the job.”
Rolland said that the property was special and that he spent time there as a child. The uniqueness and connection to the community could help Rolland sell the property.
“This property has been special a long time,” Rolland said. “It is a unique property and a lot of people care about it. People are interested in the property and a lot of people around Syracuse have spent time there when they were a child as well.”
