The on-again, off-again Stewart's project in Middleburgh is once again alive.
Stewart's officials announced Monday morning that they will be attending the Middleburgh planning board meeting in May to resubmit their application to take down the former dentist building, the former chiropractic office, and the current NBT Bank and Stewart's to construct a new Stewart's/bank on Main Street.
Plans for the new store hit a huge snag and were halted in March when an attempt was made to save the former dentist office.
That attempt is no longer being pursued, according to Stewart's real estate representative Chuck Marshall.
"The alternative use for the dentist building is no longer achievable," he added Monday morning.
The plans for Stewart's will be the same as those presented in March before the project was halted, Mr. Marshall said.
The delay is "challenging but not insurmountable," he added.
Despite the stoppage, the new Stewart's and bank should be open by late fall, possibly as early as October, according to Mr. Marshall.
The schedule will be to build the new Stewart's/bank building, open the bank, remove the current bank building, and then construct the gas islands, Mr. Marshall said.
Stewart's officials are pleased that the project is back on, Mr. Marshall noted.
"We've always been exited about the opportunity."
The current location in Middleburgh is substandard and needs to be upgraded, he stressed.
"This was a bump in the road and hopefully will not prevent 2016 construction."
Stewart's, he noted did pursue alternative locations but could not find a willing buyer.
Mr. Marshall did not appear to harbor any hard feelings about the delay.
"The alternative users had had the intent that all alternatives were investigated. That person came from a sincere place for Middleburgh and that is what the process is geared for."
At the town and village planning board meeting on March 8, developer Carver Laraway offered a different proposal in an effort to save the dentist building.
He was proposing that the new Stewart's be built on the lot that currently houses the former chiropractor's office and NBT Bank. A new bank would have been built on the current vacant lot at the corner of Main Street and Banker Avenue.
Mr. Laraway also threatened legal action in order to save the former dentist building.
Stewart's then pulled out, explaining that all three properties were needed in order for the project to go forward.
Without naming Mr. Laraway, Mr. Marshall explained that the person is no longer interested in the new plans.
"The end use for the building is not identified and cost exceeded expectations."
Stewart's needs to apply for a demolition permit for the three buildings.
Middleburgh zoning board members have explained that if a building is in the historic district and was built before 1910 (the former dentist building fits on both counts), a public hearing has to be held and there could be other options that need to be considered.
Stewart's has contracts on the three properties, Mr. Marshall said in March.