By Russ Tarby
Contributing Writer
Hollywood director Jeremy Garelick wants the Liverpool Village Planning Board to know that he’s serious about improving the property at 800 Fourth St. He purchased the historic 100,000-square-foot structure two years ago to create a movie studio doubling as a trade school for aspiring filmmakers.
A native of Long Island who now lives in Los Angeles, Garelick could have sent his building manager and other underlings to appear before the board to answer questions about trucks parked there, diesel generators generating noise and fumes and dumpsters placed outside of screened locations. Instead, he was there himself, as he and three assistants talked with the planners for a solid 75 minutes.
“Thanks for having patience with us,” he told the board. “lots of things have come up, but when we get any complaints, we try really hard to make quick adjustments.”
Joining Garelick at the meeting were American High President Molle DeBartolo; the trade school’s top administrator, Sam Avery; and building manager Paul Stacey.
Considered one of Hollywood’s hottest producers of contemporary comedies, Garelick bought the former Liverpool High School Building, also known as the Zogg Building, in 2017 for an estimated $1 million. The 44-year-old filmmaker wrote and directed 2015’s “The Wedding Ringer,” a hit comedy starring Kevin Hart which grossed $79.8 million, more than tripling its production budget of $23 million.
Over the past two years, American High has produced eight movies here, Garelick told the planners at their Jan. 27 meeting.
“And we’ve screened two of them at Sundance,” he added.
A list of complaints compiled by village Codes Officer Bill Reagan stated, “The overall unsightliness of the property due to the regular placement of unlicensed cars, construction debris, props, building materials and other stuff outdoors.” Reagan suggested “creating a screened storage area” to contain the debris. A tree that had fallen on the property was neglected for several months, Reagan added.
The codes officer also said that the property’s outdoor tennis and basketball courts have not been approved for parking, but that’s how they’re now being used. “The deed covenants require the courts to be available for public use,” Reagan’s document declared.
Although those outdoor facilities are in question, Garelick said he was proud that several community groups are using the 91-year-old building’s indoor facilities.
“We have high-school wrestlers using the gym,” he said, as well as community basketball leagues.
“We’ve been making some really good strides on the safety aspects inside the building,” Garelick said. “Everything’s up to code.”
Reagan pointed out, however, that the building’s sprinkler system remains in need of repair.
Last year, American High was forced to demolish the dilapidated children’s playground that was located just west of the building, along Hickory Street. “We were going to put a new jungle gym in there,” Garelick said, “but then we ran into insurance issues. I spoke with the mayor about it.”
Mayor Gary White attended the Jan. 27 planning board meeting along with Deputy Mayor Christina Fadden and trustees Michael LaMontagne and Jason Recor.
Garelick has high hopes for the property’s future. He envisions adding dormitory rooms for students, and “a complete renovation” of the tennis courts, basketball courts and track. “I’m going to do everything I can to do what we said.”
The planning board wants to see his proposals set down on paper.
“When we don’t have a plan, everyone’s unhappy,” said board member John Eallonardo. “You need a good, solid site plan in place in order to complete the work you want to do with the property.”
American High representatives are scheduled to attend the planning board’s next meeting at the village hall on Feb. 24.
