Stewart’s, developer offer to fund improvements for proposed Town of Watertown store

Stewart’s Shops and developer P.J. Simao have offered to help pay for infrastructure tied to a proposed store across from Target on State Route 3 in the Town of Watertown, an offer that could revive the project after several months of delays.

The proposal includes funding for improvements to the traffic signal at Route 3 and the Target shopping plaza. The work has been estimated at $150,000. Stewart’s and Simao also would pay for the first 250 feet of an access road to the property.

A letter sent to the town on Sept. 2 said that removing about 700 feet of existing sewer pipe could cost as much as $70,000. The letter suggested using that money instead to help fund the signal improvements.

The proposed project calls for a 4,500-square-foot Stewart’s store with six fuel dispensers and eight full-time-equivalent jobs. The project has been stalled for several months amid disagreements over road construction, traffic signal costs and related highway work.

Simao provided the town land for sewer lines through agreements in 2021 and 2025. The town had said it would build a road connecting Route 3 with County Route 202, but that work has not been completed. Simao is considering having the sewer pipe removed to regain the land.

Earlier plans had expected the town to pay for signal work, curb-cut work and highway changes. Town officials have more recently said the developers and Stewart’s should cover those costs.

Stewart’s asked to address the Town Board at its Sept. 10 meeting at the town offices. The town’s meeting information is available through its official meeting-minutes page. Earlier board discussions are also posted for May 15 and May 28.