It's been in the works for quite some time, and Dr. Edward Epstein,
president of the Temple Beth El announced this weekend that their Jackson
Avenue building has been sold to the Salvation Army.

Epstein says the deal was finalized Friday.

The Jewish congregation is only at about 30 people now, and officials have
said in the past that the Jackson Avenue building was too large for their
smaller congregation. They'll be moving to the former Apostolic church on
Clarence Street.

The sale has irked several Jackson Avenue residents, who claim that the
Salvation Army will lower property values.

Capt. Deborah Weigner says that the operations at the Temple Beth El will
not reduce property values, but rather revitalize a historic property.