B

The Morristown City Council will be considering a request at next Tuesday’s 5 p.m. meeting from developer Kenny Noah to remove the section of overhead sidewalk in front of the new Cattleman’s Corner development.

While considered by many, if not most, to be the defining feature in downtown Morristown, the second story sidewalk in front of the former Parks-Belk site isn’t connected to the skywalk further west and has a number of other issues of concern.

The request allows for the “corner” section to remain so that pedestrians entering the skywalk from the northeast corner of Cumberland Avenue and Main Street will still have access to the elevated sidewalk system.

Several downtown owners have spoken out in approval/support of the proposal with the belief that the request will “further facilitate development for this corner and will positively affect the other properties in a host of different ways.”

Some have submitted letters of support ahead of the council meeting.

Downtown building owner and entrepreneur Kendrick Smith said that while he recognizes the historical and cultural importance of the overhead sidewalk, the benefits of tearing down the section at stake outweigh the downsides.

“We recognize that redevelopment projects can present unique challenges where historic conditions, site constraints and modern use expectations come into tension,” his letter states. “Based on our understanding of this project, the section in question does not provide a practical connection and creates a legitimate obstacle to a significant hotel and restaurant development that is otherwise being designed with careful attention to the history and uniqueness of downtown Morristown.

“We also do not intend for our support in this instance to set a broader precedent for unnecessary removal of similar features elsewhere downtown.”

But the support for the demolition effort is, at this time, not unanimous. Brandon Tomassoni, one of the co-owners of 1907 Brewing Company across the street said he was worried about a “slippery slope,” even if there is intent to limit the loss of other sections/features in the future.

“The Skymart is part of the downtown’s listing on the National Registry of Historic Places and only one of its kind in the country,” he said. “I worry about the precedent this sets if we start voluntarily chipping away at Morristown’s most unique structure. How can you say no to the next person who wants to take out a section? Will there be anything left in 20 years?”

While the City Council will meet at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, there will be a workshop at 4 p.m. where discussion and community input is sure to be centered around the issue.