Smyrna gives land for downtown redevelopment plan

Smyrna Council agreed Monday night to transfer a parcel of land on Commerce Street to The Putnam Group LLC for a downtown redevelopment project.

In a 5-1 vote, with Valerie White dissenting and Memphis Evans absent, council approved a resolution for the drafting of a deed to transfer 13 W. Commerce Street to Putnam.

In 2005, the town acquired the then-condemned property, which faces both Market Street Plaza and West Commerce Street, with the intention of selling, bargaining or swapping it for downtown projects including improved parking, creation of a park, and commercial or residential development, said Town Manager Dave Hugg.

In lieu of cash, Putnam will agree to certain conditions in accordance with the town’s redevelopment plans.

Council agreed to deed the land to Putnam in exchange for the demolition of a building at the back of the property, currently leased by St. John’s Lodge, as well as construction of sidewalks and a park.

“If Putnam doesn’t proceed with good faith, the town has the right to take the property back, Hugg said.

Putnam also plans to acquire the former Sun-Times building at 25 W. Commerce Street. Conceptual plans for the site include residential and commercial development. By accepting the land from the town, Putnam agrees that at least the first floor of any structure facing West Commerce Street, including the Sun-Times building, shall be solely for commercial use.

Putnam, which has met with the Town of Smyrna Historic Preservation Review Board regarding the historic Sun-Times building, has also agreed to restore its brick front façade, the resolution states.

Putnam developed the Smyrna Heath and Wellness Center complex at the corner of Main and South Streets.

“I think the project is going to be very good for downtown,” said Councilman Bill Pressley.

Mayor Pat Stombaugh asked if the land transfer would cost the town any money. The only expense would be paying Town Attorney Terry Jaywork for the time he spends drafting the deed, Hugg said. This is a one- or two-hour project, Jaywork said.

“We will be more than willing to pay for the first two hours of Mr. Jaywork’s time,” Putnam’s Dominic Balascio told the council.

Chervenak appointed to library committee

After weeks of discussion, Mayor Stombaugh settled discussion of committee appointments by recommending former councilman Dr. Doug Chervenak to the Long Range Library Planning Committee at Monday’s meeting.

“The council would like to see Mr. Chervenak serve on the library committee, and I will make that recommendation,” Stombaugh said.

The recommendation was approved in a 6-0 vote. Evans was not present.

The mayor did not recommend on Monday that Chervenak be added to the Charter Review Committee.

The list of town committee appointments was originally approved by council at the May 5 meeting, when Councilman Gene Mullen put forth a motion to add Chervenak’s name to the Charter Review and the Library Planning committees. Council approved this motion, but at the next meeting on May 19, Stombaugh said the vote had violated the town charter, which states that only the mayor can appoint committees, to be confirmed by council.

Stombaugh then called for a second vote on the appointments, but did not recommend Chervenak for the two committees. Council approved the appointments without his name on the list.

After the July 7 meeting, councilman Larry Thornton suggested the mayor compromise by adding Chervenak to the Library Planning Committee, but not the Charter Review Committee, a recommendation made by Stombaugh and approved by council on Monday.

Council also approved a recommendation by Mayor Stombaugh to add a member of the American Legion Ambulance to the Public Safety Committee. 

Police Chief Richard Baldwin asked the ambulance company to participate on the committee. The Citizens’ Hose Company of Smyrna also sends a representative.

“I approached them because we felt it was important that they be on there,” Baldwin said.