ROUTE 5 Plans underway for new Byrne Dairy

There is an agreement in place to bring a Byrne Dairy shop and gas station to the Route 5 corridor in Oneida.

Vincent Bailey, of Bailey Property Services, tells the Dispatch he has a signed contract that will see a new Byrne Dairy gas station installed on 2.6 acres at 412 Genesee St., the former location of the Patio Motel where Oneida youths would host pick-up football games.

The contract, signed in early June, facilitates commercial development at the dormant property which Bailey acquired in April of 2015.

Since his acquisition of the property, Bailey says there has been significant interest from other area gas station chains. Despite this, Bailey ultimately felt Byrne Dairy was the best suitor, citing a lack of an ice cream joint along the Route 5 corridor and the prime location for midday meals with several large employers in the area.

“They are a good reputable, family- owned company,” Bai-

ley, a Vernon-Verona-Sherrill alum and aspiring real estate developer said. He added that through due diligence he discovered Byrne Dairy has a reputation for being a good community partner and treats their employees well.

“Byrne Dairy would bring jobs, something this area needs,” Bailey said.

The location has been commercially zoned for years, something that drew Bailey to the property as the category of zoning allows for gas and fueling stations. And while the location has been relatively quiet in terms of development as of late, Bailey says the spot is a prime location for a Byrne Dairy gas station as employees from Oneida Healthcare and Madison County Government are nearby if they want a sandwich or snack for lunch.

The real estate developer says there is a lot of potential in the Oneida area for development, but sometimes, the city can be difficult to work with.

Ultimately, Bailey says having more commercial properties will help recover some of the lost tax base that will result from the FEMABuyout and help generate more sales tax for the city.

Bailey, also a mem- ber of the Greater Oneida Chamber of Commerce, says he was taken by the Weedsport company has been building new plants and expanding operations as of late, with a total of 51 store locations currently established in New York.

He said Byrne Dairy would keep its Lenox Avenue location open despite opening the Route 5 store.

Messages left with Byrne Dairy were not returned at the time of this publication.