By LOHR McKINSTRY
TICONDEROGA — Ticonderoga's new Quality Destination Plan has identified 11 steps the community needs to take to boost tourism.
"They're all very important," Town Supervisor Robert C. Dedrick said. "None is rated by priority."
The actions include construction of a French sawmill where one stood next to the Lower LaChute Falls in 1758; restoring the historic downtown; attracting new tourism-based businesses, including lodging, dining and outdoor recreation; and protecting and maintaining public access to the LaChute River, Lake George and Lake Champlain.
A public hearing on the plan is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, in the Ticonderoga Community Building.
SAWMILL FUNDS
The first recommendation that may get accomplished is rebuilding the French sawmill, Dedrick said, because funding could be available.
"It's an operating sawmill. We need details on how the sawmill will work. It will be constructed historically accurate. We want to provide a product."
Town leaders toured a sawmill in New Hampshire that not only draws visitors to the community but produces wooden beams and fireplace mantles for sale.
"The product from a sawmill of this nature is a highly sought-after product," Dedrick said.
"The sawmill makes virtually no noise at all, and there's very little sawdust. We feel this would be a destination point that would complement Fort Ticonderoga."
DOWNTOWN DRAW
Dedrick said they've tried to work out ways to get people downtown after they visit Fort Ticonderoga, and this could be one of them.
"We feel this sawmill would get people in town for more than one day. It would also complement the Ticonderoga Heritage Museum. It ties in so nicely with what we have."
The town owns the Heritage Museum, which is located at the entrance to Percy Thompson Bicentennial Park and the falls.
The French sawmill would draw on the history of Ticonderoga, Dedrick said.
WORKING ON DETAILS
Robert Harvey of Missouri-based Egret Communications, who has worked with the town committee on the Quality Destination Plan, has agreed to continue with the sawmill project and will help obtain the necessary permits.
The Timber Framers Guild is helping the town with details of the sawmill's operation.
The town owns the land where the sawmill would be located, having acquired it from American Graphite when that company closed its local facilities.
No town money would be used for the sawmill, Dedrick said, and the grant would also cover hiring a professional craftsperson to run the mill.
Harvey had been working under contract to the Lake Placid-Essex County Visitors Bureau on several destination plans in the county, but that State Smart Growth grant is ending.
'KEEPER OF PLAN'
Dedrick said he's excited they now have a workable Destination Plan for Ticonderoga.
The Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce will continue the Quality Destination Committee, he said.
Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Barbara Brassard said the Chamber Board of Directors approved the action.
"We are the keeper of the plan. We're definitely looking forward to accomplishing it."
Pride of Ticonderoga Executive Director Sharon Reynolds will apply for the grant funding for the sawmill.
"It's one of the things I think will turn Montcalm Street around," Dedrick said. "If we can get success on even three or four of these, you'll see a great improvement, not just on Montcalm Street but throughout the town."
E-mail Lohr McKinstry at: lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com
