HEUVELTON – Contracts are scheduled to be awarded for the renovation of Pickens Hall on Nov. 15.

Continental Construction, Gouverneur, is on retainer as the general contractor, and they are waiting for subcontractors to come on board.

Construction on the building is still scheduled to begin sometime before winter, despite delays in establishing a line of credit for the project.

“We hope to build this fall,” said David H. Kingsley, president of the Heuvelton Historical Association.

The next phase of project will see an addition to the back of the building allowing for an elevator to provide access to the second and third floors.

The third floor itself will also be renovated and returned to its former state as a community opera house. Currently the third floor is closed to the general public, and has suffered from years of neglect.

Pickens General Store, located on the first floor, was re-opened in August following a renovation project.

“We still have to come up with about $110,000,” said Mr. Kingsley, for the third floor and the elevator.

All told, the project will cost a total of $2.2 million.

Additionally, a line of credit for the project is yet to be firmly established.

“We have a verbal commitment on a line of credit,” said Mr. Kingsley. “We’re optimistic that it will be in place soon.

In the meantime, Pickens General Store is open and stocked for the holidays.

A line up of seasonal events at the store are available on its website: pickensgeneral.org.

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