Sanford building being converted to condo units
BY MARY LANCASTER INDEPENDENT WRITER
The Sanford building between Sparks Avenue and Pleasant Street has been on the market for approximately 18 months with no buyers stepping forward. Edward Sanford believes that may be because the building is too large for one buyer, so as of this week he is beginning renovations to turn the structure into condominiums.

ROB BENCHLEY/The Independent Once used as a site to build boats, from 1978 to 1982, the Sanford building is again undergoing a bit of a transformation.

The building was constructed in 1978 and until 1982 was the site where Edward and his brother Alfred Sanford crafted Alerion sailboats. They began leasing out portions of the building after that, with the latest occupants being Chip Hart and Associates surveyors, Main Street Construction company, Mid-Island Photo, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and One Love Caribbean grocery.

In preparation for the renovation, Edward Sanford asked the tenants to move. Hart's firm recently relocated to 8 Williams Lane, Main Street Construction is renting the back portion of the Geronimo's building on Pleasant Street, Big Brothers/Big Sisters relocated to 130 Old South Road, Mid-Island Photo is staying put because it is purchasing its space, and One Love owner Rohan Fowler is searching for a new spot.

Fowler, who opened One Love a year ago, said business went well this year with lots of new clientele, attracting many who chose to use his wire service money transaction over the more costly Western Union service. This past weekend he had a sale on groceries and other items, with plans to store what did not sell while he continues to look for another unit to lease.

"It's a tragedy, but it was good while it lasted," Fowler said of

having to move. I