’A remarkable part of the legacy’
Putnam Block redevelopment project invests in tradesmen
Skilled workforce shortages plague the construction industry, and while construction has gained nationally, Middlebury-based Bread Loaf Corp, construction manager of Bennington’s ambitious Putnam Block Redevelopment Project—which is intended to catalyze economic and community development in southern Vermont—isn’t satisfied with the pace.
Where the firm joins its peers in remaining eager to continue recruiting and retaining skilled workers from the general labor pool, it stands out, in a remarkable win-win, by investing in the folks already on the payroll. Since mid-September 2019, Bread Loaf has been offering free weekly training sessions for its unskilled workers, who already contribute in other ways.
The payoff for the workers is a marketable skill-set and path to promotion; the company, and the industry, gains talent they can build on.
Ryan Ahern, Bread Loaf’s director of Safety and Training, spearheads the initiative. Backed by the site’s construction foreman, lift operator, and other skilled construction workers, Ahern says the innovation turns part of his workforce into volunteer teachers for an eager pool of vetted, ready labor—who now will have to pay nothing for a vital leg up in the field.
Justin Wright, Bread Loaf’s site supervisor, says the training program is an unexpected but remarkable part of the legacy of the $31 million Putnam Block Redevelopment Project, which is expected to serve as a model for rural downtowns throughout the Green Mountain State.
Taught are fundamental skills such as tool use and general framing techniques, moving up to foundational carpentry, with such skills as building a stud wall and framing sequencing, familiarity with technical terminology, and lift safety.
On average, Ahearn says, approximately 15 employees take classes every week. There’s even a translator for a hearing-impaired worker.
Justin Wright, Bread Loaf’s site supervisor, says the program is an unexpected but remarkable part of the legacy of the $31 million Putnam Block Redevelopment Project, which is expected to serve as a model for rural downtowns throughout the Green Mountain State.
In addition to renovating three buildings gracing the National Register listed Historic District, Phase I demolishes structures, executes environmental remediation, and creates parking and mixed-use office, residential, restaurant, and retail space. The block will boast 78,000 square feet of renovated space and 30 new market-rate and income-qualified apartments. Planners expect the work to draw more than 50 new residents downtown and to create hundreds of permanent jobs.
According to Bob Stevens of Stevens & Associates lead design professionals, the BRG plans to wrap up Phase I ready for occupancy by this fall. Approxumately 70 percent of the space in Phase I is leased, and 30 percent of the 30 apartments are spoken for. Preliminary work is already underway on Phase 2 with a new Health Center focused building. The final design is scheduled for fall, with construction starting in spring 2021.
Phase II will consist of a newly constructed building intended to house additional retail spaces, offices, housing, and much needed medical and training facilities. Phase II would entail about 55,000 square feet of new construction and the remaining 60% of the site work, including most of the parking, all of the municipal infrastructure, and the remainder of the environmental cleanup. A future third phase, for which land has been banked with Housing Vermont, a non-profit housing developer, will develop an additional 30 housing units.
The Putnam Block Redevelopment project, which also boasts M&S Development as development consultant, is backed by more than 17 public and private sources and more than 20 local investors. The groundbreaking was Aug. 7, 2019.
