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Developer defends continued Summer Street closure for Iron Heights construction
Summary
LaJoy Brothers’ safety director told the Gardiner City Council the Iron Heights construction site remains too cramped and hazardous to reopen Summer Street, citing OSHA concerns, heavy equipment movement and deliveries; the update described the project as a 32-unit building that will bring housing to the city.
LaJoy Brothers’ safety director updated the Gardiner City Council on the Iron Heights construction project and urged continued closure of Summer Street, saying the site’s size and activity pose safety risks that require keeping the road out of regular traffic.
“The telehandler…has to spin the thing around to put it in the dumpster. There’s no way that that machine can turn around, if it’s perpendicular on Summer Street,” the safety director said, explaining that large equipment and delivery zones need space to operate safely. He showed aerial photos and site images to illustrate equipment staging, material laydown areas and a full overflow lot.
Mayor Patricia Hart said the council has been supportive of the project and praised the contractor’s prior work in the city. The presenter said that the company had obtained approval to close Summer Street and that the closure reduced the need for repeated short-term interruptions by allowing deliveries and material handling to occur inside the site perimeter.
Councilors who visited the site echoed the safety concerns. Councilor Rusty Greenleaf said a site visit convinced him that reopening Summer Street would be unsafe for residents, workers and delivery drivers. “There’s no possible way we could open Summer Street and have it safe for anybody,” Greenleaf said.
The presenter noted that he hand-delivered letters to nearby residents and businesses and said the company had received only two complaints to date (workers parking in a dialysis center lot), which were promptly addressed. He stressed compliance with OSHA housekeeping and safety rules and said the project remains on track to deliver a 32-unit building intended to help revitalize Gardiner.
No formal council action was required at the meeting; the presentation served as an update and councilors asked no vote on changing the approved closure at this session. The council asked staff to accept any follow-up material (including the full video) through the city manager’s office for further review.
