BY PAUL MITCHELLNorth Country This Week

CANTON – The Bent Beam Brewery in Canton will now have a fresh look.

Original plans to open the establishment in the former McCarthy’s Furniture Barn, 41 West Main St., were squashed when contractor Northern Tier Contracting (NTC), Gouverneur, issued a report to the Canton Village Board that the building was unsafe.

Gary Hammond, a partner and chief financial officer of St. Lawrence Suds, said there are plans to construct a new building with further details to be announced at a later date.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held May 9 but since then major problems with the historic structure have been discovered.

The change in plans warranted the passage of a Type II SEQRA action by the village board at its July 17 monthly meeting.

“The St. Lawrence Suds project proposed for the property at 41 West Main Street in the Village of Canton does not meet or exceed any applicable Type I thresholds nor is it deemed likely to have a significant adverse impact on the environment. The replacement project involves work on the same site and footprint and is deemed as not subject to SEQRA review,” the resolution reads.

A report from the engineering firm Tisdel Associates cited problems with the foundation and existing walls.

The report, dated May 24, indicated the existing building foundation was in very poor condition and only extended 12" ± below existing grade, which does not provide adequate frost protection; the interior structure had previously been damaged by a fire. The extent of fire damage was much more extensive than we had anticipated; the main structure had been extensively damage by water intrusion causing the structure to be compromised; it appears that the building walls have begun to fail and that the structure is not safe; and it does not appear that the jacking and raising the existing structure to install a new foundation is practical.

“Based on the above observations, it is my opinion that the structure is not safe and should be demolished,” the report by Aaron B. Jarvis, P.E., stated.

The report also noted that NYC has installed temporary supports to prevent the building from collapsing.

The Type II SEQRA resolution also noted that “St. Lawrence Suds will construct a replacement structure in the same location along with new electric service and hookups in the village’s sewer and water infrastructure. Renovations are to be completed per plans and specs are subject to review of the Village Planning Board. When finished there will be approximately 3,660 square feet of space for the brewery, restaurant and serving areas on one floor.”

The Bent Beam Brewing project received $610,000 in Restore NY funding in December 2022.