CARMEL, NY - Today Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne announced several improvements and upgrades at the county government outdoor office area located at 40 Gleneida Avenue in Carmel. The complex consists of the three-story David D. Bruen County Office Building, including but not limited to the offices of the County Executive, Legislature, Clerk, and District Attorney; the county’s 1814 Historic Courthouse; and the newer Supreme and County Courthouse, located at the back of the campus.

Earlier this year, Byrne directed the county’s Department of Public Works (DPW) to undertake improvements at the complex to increase the number of outdoor amenities available to the public and county employees. This was accomplished through the installation of new traffic-safety bollards along Gleneida Avenue, as well as the completion of new monochromatic pressed (stamped) concrete between the Historic Courthouse and the Bruen building, replacing the pavement’s former light blue coating. These most recent improvements were completed on July 1.

The new public walkway now features a picnic area with three tables that can serve as a new space for people to eat and/or take a break in addition to the existing pocket park, which already has its own picnic table, adjacent to the County Office Building public parking lot.

Two more picnic tables, affixed with umbrellas for shade, were also installed on parcels behind the county Probation office and next to the Supreme and County Courthouse employee parking lot. These amenities follow closely on the heels of the new ADA-compliant entrance and ramp to the County Office Building, as well as the newly installed ADA bathroom in the County Office Building, completed in April. The cost of these improvements was covered by existing DPW funds and did not require a new county budget appropriation.

“These upgrades will improve accessibility to these public spaces and enhance the overall environment for our public employees by providing more space for them to take advantage of the outdoors. As County Executive, I’ve made myself accessible to listen to people directly, to listen to their ideas and hear their concerns. Among other things, these improvements are a direct reflection of the feedback I’ve received since taking office,” said Byrne, “We’ve gotten a lot done, but I also know we have more work to do.”