Businessman seeks to renovate, donate Dunham Castle to village of Wayne

WAYNE – The current owner of the 131-year-old Dunham Castle has big plans for the site, but he needs the village of Wayne’s approval to make them a reality.

Jeffrey Bussean, president and founder of Bussean Real Estate, LLC, purchased the castle for $1 million in October 2013. The castle, at 5N648 Dunham Road in Wayne, is in need of severe repairs and renovations to the estimated tune of $6 million, Bussean wrote in a news release. Bussean plans to bear the entire expense of the project and eventually donate the castle to the village, but there are conditions attached. Bussean has to seek zoning entitlements, business and liquor licenses and also relief from a real estate covenant that currently restricts Dunham Castle to residential and agricultural use, according to the release.

Bussean also wants permission to use the castle as a special events facility for a period of 30 years so his company's investment can be recouped, according to www.waynedunhamcastle.com, a website he created to explain his plans.

“This is a great opportunity for the village and residents of Wayne,” Bussean wrote in the release.

Bussean, in a brief phone interview Wednesday, said his attorney is in contact with the village’s attorney regarding his plans. He also sent a letter of intent dated Sept. 25 to Village President Eileen Phipps.

“We received some material from him and will review it,” Phipps said Wednesday.

The castle is on the Wayne Village Board's Tuesday meeting agenda under reports of trustees. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. at 5N430 Railroad St. in Wayne.