Putnam: Projects galore
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — What might be nice is a construction scorecard if you’re talking about Putnam.
Sidewalks, more sidewalks, a pedestrian bridge, more sidewalks, and — possibly a cherry on top — a public market/bar/hotel project at 88 Main, downtown. Plus Walmart began its complete renovation of its store July 21.
Downtown
The proposed downtown project presented to the Putnam Planning and Zoning Commission last week would involve, at 76-80 Main St. (Seder Building)., a Putnam Public Market and the creation of The Cargill, a boutique hotel and wine bar.
The Putnam Public Market would have 30 stalls for food vendors, artisans and small eateries.
At 88 Main, plans by 1 Design envision a wine cellar and tasting room in the basement; a hotel lobby and reception and a full-service restaurant on the first floor.
On the second floor: guest rooms, a wine bar and connection to the Seder Building containing guest room.
On the third floor: More guest accommodations, and a function room, The Exchange.
Rooftop Deck: “Sunset & Vine,” a rooftop café and bar area.
The plans would involve a zoning regulations amendment.
The “Putnam Downtown District (PD), would preserve the traditional focal point in the community for cultural, civic and commercial activities; to promote pedestrian friendly development; and to aid in the preservation and restoration of its architectural assets while providing for an environmental that fosters economic growth and diversity.”
Such a district would allow hotels, conference centers, restaurants, taverns, cafes, catering and more.
The proposed zoning amendment would not allow any building change unless off-street parking and loading spaces have been provided.
Public parking lots shall be available for parking for commercial uses within existing buildings if parking is not already provided on-site.
The property owner and developer is ICB Enterprises Initiative Inc. LLC.
Sidewalks – School Street
The town is currently drawing near to the finish of the sidewalk installation on School Street. A $2 million grant is being used for that. It will run down School Street to point near Mainely Seafood (but on the south side of School.).
More Sidewalks
The town is currently putting plans together to continue where the above project ends all the way down to the sidewalks already in place along School Street at Walmart.
Town Administrator Elaine Sistare said surveyors are gathering information which will be passed on to the NECCOG engineers who will put together a plan and help write a grant proposal for funding it.
She said there are Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program (LOTCIP) grants that are continuously funded and there are also Community Connectivity grants on the state and federal levels.
The plan would have to include, probably, a cantilevered pedestrian “sidewalk” along the Little Dam Tavern Bridge on School Street (near Jim’s House of the Iron Horse) because there is not enough space for a sidewalk in that spot.
She said this sidewalk might be “two years” down the road.
Yes, More Sidewalks
Sistare said the town is also working on redoing all the sidewalks between Grove Street and School Street. This would include residential streets like King, Freemont, Center, Bradley, etc. The town uses NECCOG’s engineer and it is being worked on. Surveying work is currently being done. These are town streets, not state roads as the other two projects are.
She said this project could be eligible for LOTCIP or perhaps Community Connectivity money.
Putnam is hoping to build more sidewalks on School Street, to join up with the sidewalk in front of Walmart. The Little Dam Tavern bridge would require a cantilevered pedestrian bridge, though, as there's not enough room for a "regular" sidewalk. Linda Lemmon photo.
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Conceptual drawing of the proposed Cargill Hotel and Putnam Public Market. This is pictured on Main Street if you were looking from 85 Main.
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Sidewalks Proposed
Putnam is hoping to build more sidewalks on School Street, to join up with the sidewalk in front of Walmart. The Little Dam Tavern bridge would require a cantilevered pedestrian bridge, though, as there's not enough room for a "regular" sidewalk. Linda Lemmon photo.
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