A group of local investors has dusted off a plan to build an office and retail complex on the former Hotel Woodruff site, a national sandwich chain has opened with the owner specifically saying he wanted to be downtown because of Stream, there is interest in opening an upscale restaurant in the site of the closed - yet extensively renovated - House of Gee restaurant, and the new owners of a city landmark - the Woolworth Building at the American Corner - say they will refurbish and nationally market the historic structure.

The impetus for much of this activity is Stream and the 24-hours-per-day influx of workers into downtown it is expected to generate. In addition to doing more than $8 million in renovations to the vacant Woolworth store, the company's call center will draw workers into downtown beyond the traditional "9 to 5" time period.

Downtown's redevelopment also hinges on the city, downtown and economic development leaders' desire to create more and better access to the Black River via downtown.

Those interested in downtown development have long sought ways to tie Public Square to the river. Proposals for development of the empty "Woodruff II" site include leaving an open space on Public Square, creating a vista that, according to the project's architect, is designed to draw pedestrians toward the river.

This project, coupled perhaps with a raised walkway over City Center Drive, could link downtown to the river and the Veterans Memorial Riverwalk.

Some of the work taking place downtown is driven by nothing more than a store or property owner's desire to improve his or her buildings.

Abbey Carpet, 150 Court St., and Avon Shoes, 67 Public Square, had their storefront facades completely restored this summer under Watertown Trust's easement program.

The program, managed by Neighbors of Watertown, gives property owners money to restore facades in exchange for an easement allowing NOW to make sure the repairs are done according to specific historic guidelines.

In return for the easement, a property owner can claim about 15 percent of the building's value as a tax-deductible donation and the assessment of the property would be reduced by that amount.

Gary C. Beasley, director of NOW, said several other stores are interested in the program and these jobs will be done as funding permits. There is about $70,000 remaining in funding, about enough to do two more buildings. By the end of the year, about $230,000 overall will have been spent in facade improvements under the program.

Among the businesses requesting or being considered for participation in the program are Wing Wagon, Black River Music, Rent-A-Zone, a vacant building adjacent to the Crystal Restaurant owned by the Crystal owners - all of which are on the north side of Public Square - Max's Outfitters and Severance Photo on Court Street, the Paddock Arcade, and the former Smith & Percy Building, now the Slye & Burrows law offices, on the west side of the square.

The owners of two businesses, Berow & Monroe Shoes, 138 Court St., and Dino's Shoe Service, 22 Public Square, made improvements to their properties' facades at their own expense.

The owners of the Paddock Arcade, City Councilwoman Roxanne M. Burns and her husband, John P., plan extensive renovations to the historic indoor plaza.

Mrs. Burns said work there will include completion of a new roof on the south half of the building, interior renovations to sections of the ceiling damaged by leaks from the roof, construction of a new fascia, repairs to the lower metal roof, which suffered ice damage during the winter, and painting and new windows for the back of the building.

Neighbors of Watertown is also gutting and renovating the condemned YWCA building, purchased recently by the Watertown Trust for $55,000. Mr. Beasley said some structural problems on the Franklin Street side of the building have pushed the repair costs up $120,000 more than budgeted, bringing total renovation work to about $600,000.

Once the building is renovated, the trust will lease space in the structure, which includes several street-level storefronts on Public Square.

(Times staff writer Tim Buckland contributed to this report.)