Peoples Bank Improvements Snarl Traffic For An Afternoon

MARIETTA, OH — Drivers in downtown Marietta today may have noticed a massive crane blocking lanes of traffic on Putnam Street. Peoples Bank is doing some construction work to renovate the third and fourth stories of their 118 Putnam Street building.

Live in Marietta? Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. Follow Marietta Patch on Facebook and Twitter, and download our free Patch mobile app on Android or iPhone

Foreman Jay Harrison of Graecon Construction said today they were putting steel on the roof. "And installing air conditioning units for the expansion." They also ripped out the old elevator shaft and elevator motor. He pointed to the old-timey Otis Elevator Company spool drum. "That's going to the scrapyard."

He said construction would probably be going on inside for months. "There are crews inside, drywalling and remodeling the third and fourth floors." Peoples Bank Chief Marketing Officer Kevin Eagan says construction will be wrapping up in early June.

Eagan says this project is purely about expansion. "Since COVID there's the need to social distance more. So we're just creating more office space for our Marietta-based employees." Up until now, the third and fourth floors of that building had been unfinished. "We were only occupying the first and second floors." They haven't decided who will be using the new office space when it's done, but Eagan says they're always hiring, always expanding. "We constantly have the need for people."

There is still going to be another major construction project that will block traffic. Eagan says the next time will be on Second Street for the installation of a generator. The date for that hasn't been determined.

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Marietta Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of our latest sponsors? Email any and all inquiries to me at christopher.schmitt@patch.com