The historic Welch building in downtown Westfield. P-J file photo

WESTFIELD — The Welch building in downtown Westfield has reportedly been sold to a development team with Western New York ties with plans to turn the historic property into apartments and commercial space.

The Westfield Town Board on Wednesday approved the sale to developers, comprised of RANT LLL based in St. Louis and the Buffalo-based Savarino Companies. A news release from a consulting group did not mention the sale price, and Martha Bills, Westfield town supervisor, was not immediately available for comment.

The sale would help re-imagine the Welch building, now largely vacant.

In December 2019, the Westfield Town Board approved selling the four-story building to Landmark Development Consortium LLC of Buffalo for $350,000. Initial plans included $5 million in renovations that would have converted the property into commercial and retail space with apartments in the upper floors.

Those plans, though, fell through during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The town purchased the property in 2014 in a preservation effort.

“When we found the Welch’s building, we knew it was right for us,” said Ray Rybak, who is leading the development team. “Our vision to create new residential units and needed commercial space, while repurposing an historic structure, aligned with the town’s goal of bringing this gem back to life in a meaningful way. It was a perfect fit.”