CARMEL – The fate of 34 Gleneida Avenue, in the heart of the Putnam County Seat, has been decided.
The two-story building that once was home to an auto dealership, a temporary headquarters for the Putnam County Clerk, an office that housed the Putnam IDA and EDC and most recently the non-for-profit United for the Troops will be demolished before the end of the year.
The Putnam Legislature’s Physical Services Committee approved the demolition at its meeting Wednesday and forwarded its recommendation to the full legislature for its vote next month.
At the meeting, held before a large crowd at the historic Putnam Courthouse, officials discussed converting the building directly in front of the current courthouse into a park and recreation area.
Former Legislator Richard Othmer, now Kent’s highway superintendent, told lawmakers the issue had been debated for 22 years and urged them to demolish the building, saying the decision would be popular.
“We have been overthinking this issue way too much. This is an easy project with maximum beneficial results,” he said.
Putnam DPW Commissioner Thomas Feighery explained the building was in dire straits containing broken windows, a failed heating system and tenants consisting of rats and racoons. “It’s time. The age, limitations, costs associated with its continued operation, maintenance, and rehabilitation as well as the practical limitations affecting its reuse make demolition the best solution,” he said.
In June, the legislature rejected a bid from a private individual to purchase the building.
Developer Paul Camarda addressed the committee calling for a passive park with benches to draw people to the Lake Gleneida area and encourage more foot traffic along sidewalks in the county seat.Bottom of Form
The legislators also received a lengthy report from William Bujarski, an architect with the Putnam Department of Highways and Facilities who inspected the entire structure.
Bujarski noted that 34 Gleneida is not accessible to people with disabilities and that the building does not meet current construction or energy conservation standards.
The architect estimated a price tag of $200,000 to demolish the building with grading and landscaping as a green space.
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