Construction On Sharon Springs Inc Could Start In Spring

SHARON SPRINGS — Building could commence on the Sharon Springs Inc. project in the spring, a representative for the developer said at the Wednesday, Nov. 19 meeting of the Sharon Springs Joint Planning Board.

The project is a redevelopment and Revitalization of the Imperial Baths site on Main Street in the Village of Sharon Springs. The joint planning board would have to grant site plan approval before anything can proceed.

The representative originally said he hoped construction could start in late February or March but quickly added "as soon as the weather breaks" when reminded how long winters can sometimes be in Schoharie County. Discussion at the Nov. 19 JPB meeting centered on rehabilitation of the Imperial Building, which is slated to include installation of a restaurant open to both guests and the general public, sauna, gift shop and other elements. Construction should take about 120 days once it starts, the representative said.

In other news from the Nov. 19 joint planning board meeting, there was brief further discussion on the Sharon Solar Vista project, a proposal to build a five megawatt solar energy facility on about 9.5 acres of the Helen Roberts Farm on Slate Hill Road.

Chad Dickason, owner of Free State Solar LLC and Sharon Solar Vista that is building the facility, said there is going to be a switch on the solar panels from a fixed tilt to a tracker system that can follow the sun and produce more power and add value to the project.

Dickason said he and others are working hard to minimize the visual and other impacts of the project, and are also working on a new decommissioning plan.

"It's important to me that we do everything we can to mitigate the impact on neighbors," he said. "We will be back when we have more to talk about."