Barrett Price has long had a vision for the shuttered and decaying Sherman's Amusement Park.

“I’d been trying to engage with this property since 2015," said Price, who lives mainly in Chicago. "I saw it would potentially be a great performance venue, it is unique to have something that is on the lake."

After failing to revitalize the lakefront venue himself, Gloversville attorney George Abdella donated Sherman's to the Town of Caroga about four years ago. Leaders then allowed Price and the newly formed Caroga Arts Collective, or CAC, to host a summer concert series there.

"That was kind of the first step in what I thought could be here forever,” Price said earlier this week.

Hoping to build a permanent performance venue, last year the CAC proposed to buy Sherman's from the town for an undisclosed sum. While negotiations continue, town board members are split over whether the property's central location makes it too valuable to sell to the nonprofit or anyone else.

"It brings people together, it may not raise a lot of money but it creates a positive movement," said Town Supervisor Jim Selmser, who supports CAC’s plan.

"The CAC is a wonderful group of musicians and they are a great asset to our community but they are not the only asset to our community,” town board member Dr. John Glenn said.

Along with other past and present leaders, board member Dr. John Glenn would rather the town retain ownership and oversee a year-round mixed-use project that includes a performance space for CAC.

“Maybe a hotel, maybe a restaurant, it would be great to have a town pier where people can come and tie up their boats,” Glenn said.

The group believes CAC's plan isn't in line with the town's comprehensive plan and would fail to spur economic growth.

"The long-term future for the town is not being addressed just getting rid of this piece of property,” said Scott Horton, the town planning board’s former chairman.

"I think it should be developed for the benefit of all of the taxpayers, not just a select group,” said Tony Russitano, a former town board member.

Price remains convinced CAC's plan is the only realistic option to restore a bright future to a property with a proud history.

"I think that can be a huge economic advantage for people in the town. We are really confident about what we can do,” Price said.

Because several town board members, including Selmser, were previously involved with the CAC, leaders on both side of the debate agree the decision should ultimately be made by voters in a public referendum.

Part one of Spectrum News’s series on Sherman’s can be viewed here.