CARMEL – The future of 34 Gleneida Avenue in the heart of the Putnam County seat in Carmel remains up in the air now that the Putnam Legislature rejected selling the prime piece of real estate to an individual for $600,000.
On Thursday evening, members of the legislature’s Physical Services Committee chaired by Legislator William Gouldman began discussing the future of the former home of Putnam Motors, Putnam Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) and the Putnam Economic Development Corp., the main floor of which is currently rented by United for the Troops.
Discussion centered around demolishing the building which is located directly in front of the current Putnam County Courthouse and converting the property into a park and recreational area or converting the building into a youth or community center.
James Rathschmidt, who co-founded United for the Troops decades ago, thanked the county for allowing his non-for-profit to use the building as its headquarters for the past 10 years manned by volunteers, which recently sent its 40,000th package to a serviceman or servicewoman overseas.
“I am not here to say, ‘Please don’t take away 34 Gleneida!’ I understand your situation and appreciate the county for allowing us to stay. Thank you,” Rathschmidt said.
Former Legislator Richard Othmer, who now serves as Kent Highway Superintendent, outlined a plan to raze 34 Gleneida Avenue and turn the property into a passive park.
Legislator Tommy Regan, who sits on the committee along with Gouldman and Legislator Amy Sayegh, called the parcel of land “extremely important and valuable which is why I was against selling it from the beginning.”
Developer Paul Camarda told the lawmakers and some two dozen people in attendance, “Putnam County is an oasis in a very dense dark surrounding.”
Camarda said 34 Gleneida Avenue should not be developed. Instead, he said, park benches are needed to draw people to the Lake Gleneida area and encourage more foot traffic along sidewalks in the county seat. “We don’t want affordable housing,” he said.
Following a 45-minute discussion, Gouldman called on residents to contact the legislative office with ideas for the property promising discussion will continue at next month’s committee meeting.
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