Plymouth Board approves easement with Plymouth Foundry for Harrison Street Trail Project

The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety voted 5-0 Monday evening to approve an easement with Plymouth Foundry for the Harrison Street Trail Project.

City Attorney Jeff Houin told board members that as the city worked through the right-of-way easements for the trail project, it was discovered that the parking area in front of Plymouth Foundry is actually located within the city's right-of-way. Houin said the city's intention was not to disrupt the foundry's parking, but rather to use their existing sidewalk — which sits on Plymouth Foundry property — for the trail.

The city approached Plymouth Foundry, asking them to grant an easement for the sidewalk space so the new trail could be placed where the existing sidewalk is, allowing the foundry to keep its current parking area.

Plymouth Foundry asked for a reciprocal easement to ensure they would be able to retain the current parking where it is.

During the investigation, Houin said it was also learned that the Plymouth Foundry machine shop, located to the west closer to the railroad tracks, encroaches onto city property by a foot or two. The proposed easement grants Plymouth Foundry the perpetual right to keep that building where it is. However, the city requested language stating that if the property ever ceases to be used for commercial or industrial purposes, the easements will go away.

Board member Dave Morrow asked whether the trail would use the existing sidewalk. Houin said the new trail will be about three feet wider, so the plan is to remove the existing sidewalk and replace it with a new, wider one.

The board voted unanimously, 5-0, to approve the easement with Plymouth Foundry.