| Preservation Foundation News
Preservation Foundation Lauds Racecourse Agreement
February 22, 2008
The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation is very pleased that Governor Spitzer and the State Legislature reached an agreement on resolving the future of thoroughbred racing in the Spa City. Included within the bill that was enacted last week were provisions calling for an inventory of all structures and landscape attributes on the grounds of the historic track in Saratoga Springs, as well as review of NYRA’s capital plan for the Saratoga Racecourse by the State Historic Preservation Office. The Foundation had been working with State government to ensure that measures aimed at protecting the historic nature of the track and its environs were part of the overall legislation which granted NYRA a twenty-five year franchise to operate the track.
“We’re quite happy that the legislation indicates an awareness on the part of State government that the Racecourse and adjoining lands contain buildings and landscapes that are historic treasures and need to be protected”, said the Foundation’s Acting Executive Director, Marjorie King Martin.” We want to thank Senator Joseph Bruno, Assemblyman James Tedisco, Mayor Scott Johnson and Supervisor Joanne Yepsen for the efforts on behalf of Racecourse preservation. We look forward to working with the State Historic Preservation Office to ensure these important landmarks of Saratoga’s illustrious racing history are preserved for future generations.”
Under the terms of the bill, a local advisory board will be created, made up of representatives appointed by the Mayor, the County Board of Supervisors and NYRA. The board will work with the State Historic Preservation Office to conduct a comprehensive historic resources inventory of all track property structures and landscape feature, including their physical condition. Those aspects of the property which are of historic, architectural or cultural significance may be advanced by the board for consideration for inclusion in the National and State Registers of Historic Places and in local historic districts.
Add Another Building to Saratoga Lost
March, 2007.
Allowing a parking lot to replace an historic building falls far short of the legal requirement that if a building cannot be preserved, it must be replaced with a structure, one that meets the zoning requirements for a T-6 zone and complements the historic district.
 In March 2007, the City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission did just that in deciding to permit the demolition of a significant portion of an historic building in one of the six historic districts in the city. This decision was inevitable. The historic building, which had once been handsome, functioning and profitable, had become an eyesore, and few in the community could see its value. The decision was also completely avoidable. Had the building been maintained by the present and past owners, there would have been no reason to consider demolition. As a community we must work to ensure that we are never faced with the need to demolish another of our historic buildings because it has been allowed to deteriorate past the point where it can be restored.
The Preservation Foundation regrets that the situation with the Rip Van Dam has been allowed to proceed in a manner that undermines the law that has protected the historic architecture of our city for nearly 30 years. The entire building at 353 Broadway has been a part of the historic fabric of the city for nearly 150 years. The integrity of the historic district and, perhaps more importantly, the integrity of the legal process established to protect the historic fabric of the city, has been compromised. There are a number of similarly deteriorated buildings in historic neighborhoods throughout the city, and it would be a shame for other such buildings to be demolished without being replaced.
The rear wing of the Rip Van Dam is an example of what happens when extreme deterioration is allowed to persist. Though State and Federal financial incentives are available to assist property owners in funding the rehabilitation of historic properties, enforcement is critical to ensure that old buildings don’t become lost buildings. The Preservation Foundation’s Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance proposes an enforcement tool that targets extreme deterioration. The Foundation has twice presented the proposal to the City Council and public hearings should now be held to improve this ordinance prior to its adoption. Avoiding future demolition by neglect will prevent such situations in the future. The City Council must adopt and enforce this ordinance as soon as possible and make it a priority to stop extreme deterioration from destroying the fabric of our historic districts.
Preservation Foundation Receives New York State Main Street Grant
January 12, 2005:
Governor George E. Pataki today announced nearly $11 million worth of awards under the New York Main Street Program's first funding round. The innovative State program is designed to stimulate downtown revitalization in communities across New York State by providing funding for building renovations, streetscape enhancements and downtown business or cultural anchors. The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation received $190,000 for facade and building restoration in selected areas of the West Side of Saratoga Springs.
"New York's downtown business districts represent the lifeblood of its cities, towns and villages," Governor Pataki said. "These awards will provide additional resources to reinvigorate our Main Streets and generate pride, progress and prosperity in communities all across our great State. The response to this program has been overwhelming and I want to congratulate the recipients for their vision and determination to bring our Main Streets back."
Lieutenant Governor Mary Donohue said, "The Main Street program will provide the assistance necessary to continue revitalizing our downtown Main Streets all across the State. Building on the success of programs such as the Governor's Quality Communities Initiative, the New York Main Street Award will bolster efforts to improve downtown areas throughout New York State."
The Main Street program is a natural outgrowth of the State's Quality Communities Initiative, which has been led by Lieutenant Governor Donohue. Under the Initiative, the Lieutenant Governor traveled the State and met with local leaders to identify ways to strengthen local community development efforts throughout New York State and make better use of State and federal programs. One of the key initiatives identified the importance of rebuilding downtowns and Main Streets.
The New York Main Street Program, which is being administered by the Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) and the Housing Trust Fund Corporation, was launched by the Governor in June with an initial investment of $20 million.
DHCR Commissioner Judith A. Calogero said, "There is a new energy on our Main Streets that is real and palpable and is being fostered by local business and civic organizations around the State. The awards announced today are an effort to catalyze that energy and use it to propel communities forward. Because of the unprecedented partnership between DHCR and our sister agencies, we've fashioned a program that will have a positive impact on the future of our downtowns."
The New York Main Street Program provides matching grants for facade and interior building renovations, streetscape enhancement to improve lighting, landscaping and signage and to install street furniture, and for communities to establish a business or cultural anchor in their downtown.
Preservation 2004 Materials Posted
Click here to access a list of downloadable presentation materials from Preservation 2004, Creating Livable Communities and Fostering Historic Preservation.
"Working with Design Review" Workshop Materials Available On-Line
If you are thinking about a renovation project for your home, we have a new on-line resource for you. Working with Design Review includes six must-read presentations on topics such as researching your house history, an overview of architectural styles, an overview of the city design guidelines and design review process, appropriate designs for additions and porches, roofing materials, siding, windows and doors. Produced in conjunction with the City of Saratoga Springs, and supported by a grant from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, this material was compiled for a series of workshops held in June and July of this year. The Preservation Foundation extends its thanks to Geoff Bornemann, Julian Adams, Ned Pratt, Matha Stonequist, Rich Martin, Kirk Westbrook, and Michael Allen for their work as speakers. Talented professionals all, their generousity in sharing their expertise made this program a success.
Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation Provider of AIA Continuing Education Programs
The Preservation Foundation is now a certified provider of AIA/CES programs. The first offering in our Professional Education program was held on September 30, 2003 and is titled: "An Overview of the New York State Building Code for Existing and Historic Buildings." This three-hour lecture program highlights the conceptual framework behind the new building code, identifies the differences between the new and prior codes, and presents an overview of the code as it applies to existing and historic buildings. For registration information, please contact the Preservation Foundation offices: 518-587-5030.
Volunteers Survey for Endangered Buildings
On Saturday September 13, 2003, a group of Preservation Foundation volunteers fanned out across the city to survey and identify those buildings whose structures have been compromised. Once completed, the inventory will provide a scope of the problem of endangered buildings in Saratoga Springs. The inventory will then be prioritized, again with the help of the volunteers, and the most endangered buildings identified. We will then work with the property owners to develop solutions to stabilize the buildings. If you are interested in participating in this project, please send an email to info@saratogapreservation.org.
Gideon Putnam Cemetery Nominated to National Register
The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation submitted the Gideon Putnam Cemetery for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. The nomination will be reviewed by the State Review Board during their June 6, 2003 meeting.
The Gideon Putnam Cemetery, located on South Franklin Street, is the oldest burial ground in Saratoga Springs. Gideon Putnam, who was the first city planner and developer of the first resorts in Saratoga Springs, set aside several acres of his own land for use as a city cemetery. Buried in the cemetery are members of the Putnam family and other early Saratoga notables, tourists and resort workers.
The Preservation Foundation has undertaken the restoration of the Gideon Putnam Cemetery. This historic site had suffered many years of neglect and abuse. With generous funding from Senator Joseph Bruno and members of the community, work is underway to make the burial ground a landmark in the city once again.
Annual Preservation Awards Announced
In a ceremony on May 8 at City Hall, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation announced the 15 recipients of its 16th Annual Recognition Awards for outstanding historic preservation projects. The event was part of the Foundation's celebration of National Historic Preservation Week, May 5-12. Award categories include preservation and restoration of buildings, structures and landscapes; rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of a structure; and contextually appropriate design of structures and landscapes.
"Owning and maintaining an historic building is a significant stewardship responsibility," said Carrie Woerner, Executive Director. "The Preservation Awards give us an opportunity to recognize those property owners who have done an outstanding job of preserving their home or building."
Individuals, businesses and organizations that have completed a project on an exterior of a private home, or a public space within the City of Saratoga Springs were eligible for nomination. A committee of the Board of Directors of the Foundation made the final selections from nominations received from Foundation members and the public. This year's nominations were also open to projects that may have been overlooked in the past.
Mayor Kenneth Klotz presented the awards. A reception for recipients and attendees at the Urban Heritage Visitor Center followed the ceremony.
Westside Walkabout Highlights Neighborhood Projects
The Saratoga Springs Visitor Center and the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation jointly sponsored a "West Side Walkabout" on Saturday, May 3, 2003. Over 80 people turned out to see the renaissance of the Westside first hand. The Walkabout gave people an opportunity to see on-going and completed rehabilitation projects, meet some of the people involved in the renaissance of this area, and learn more of the area's history.
Tour goer’s enjoyed a self-guided walking tour of the West Side with stops at 117 Grand Avenue, the Gideon Putnam Cemetery and structures along Beekman Street, site of a developing artists' community. Volunteers at each location gave a brief presentation on the history of the site and were available for questions.
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