Photos: Citizens Install Sign to Illustrate Scale of Stewart's Expansion
The Enterprise — Melissa Hale-Spencer
On Saturday afternoon in Altamont, Robert Motschmann looks skyward as he and Harvey Vlahos, in foreground, post a giant sign that says “READ” in front of the duplex at 107-109 Helderberg Ave., which is slated to be torn down for the expansion of the Stewart’s shop next store. Vlahos, a member of the Concerned Severson Neighbors that sued to stop the rezone of the property from residential to commercial, said the sign is to help people realize how tall the new Stewart’s shop will be and to also help them visualize the “sea of asphalt” that will cover the ground. He likened it to visiting the Grand Canyon, stating that no matter how much you read about the canyon beforehand or how many pictures you see, the reality is totally different.
The Enterprise — Melissa Hale-Spencer
Harvy Vlahos, left, and Robert Motschmann work to install a very tall sign to illustrate how high the new Stewart’s Shop will be. Under the arrow is a diagram and picture of the project proposal. As the sign was being installed Saturday morning, staff inside the current shop were watching and speculating about what the sign might say. The Altamont Village Board’s decision to change the zoning to accommodate Stewart’s expansion has divided the village. The men said their pole is not even as tall as the 34 feet, 5 inches that will be the top of the Stewart’s cupola. A Stewart’s diagram shows the peak of the roof for the proposed building at 27 feet, 2 inches.