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Saratoga Race Course Preservation Coalition
SSPF is advocating for a balanced approach to preservation and modernization at the Saratoga Race Course. Our position has been endorsed by the Downtown Business Association, the Chamber of Commerce, the History Museum, Supervisor Joanne Yepsen, the Preservation League of New York State and others. Click here to read about the preservation challenges at the Race Course and to read our positon. We invite and encourage you to add your name to support the Race Course Preservation Coalition.
In February the Governor and the State Legislature reached an agreement on resolving the future of thoroughbred racing in the Spa City. Included within the bill 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 and the Racecourse Coalition 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.
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.
Executive Director Search Reopened
The Preservation Foundation has reopened the search for a new Executive Director. Click here to learn more.
Restoring the Exterior of Your Historic House or Building?
The City's Real Property Tax Abatement program is available to help fund exterior restoration projects. Adopted in 2000, this program abates the portion of an increase in your assessment that is due to rehabilitation of your historic house. Eligible properties must be in the City's local historic zoning district, and projects must have been reviewed and approved by the Design Review Commission. The abatement applies only to City property taxes, not school or county taxes. For more details and to get an application, contact the Preservation Foundation office. The deadline for 2008 taxes is March 1, 2008.
Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance
SSPF held a workshop on the Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance on April 2, 2007. In the workshop, we reviewed the symptoms of extreme deterioration and how to recognize it, we talked about the several programs that provide financial assistance for repair and maintenance, and we walked through the proposed Neighborhood Preservation ordinance. We invited those who attended the workshop to share with us their impressions, suggestions, concerns. If you were unable to attend the workshop, we would still like to hear from you. Please download the proposal and give us your feedback using the Neighborhood Preservation Blog.
Add Another Building to Saratoga Lost
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.
Become a Member Today!
Please support preservation of Saratoga Springs unique and treasured architectural heritage by becoming a member of the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation. Members receive discounts on Preservation Foundation programs, an annual subscription to the Spirit of Preservation newsletter, and invitations to special members only events. Corporate members can be listed in the Professional Circle. Click here for more information on membership.
Hoofing It! 8 Walking Tours of Historic Saratoga Springs
 We are pleased to announce the publication of Hoofing It! 8 Walking Tours of Historic Saratoga Springs. Beautifully illustrated with over 200 images from the Beckerman Archive, and complete with easy to follow maps and brief histories of the buildings and homes along the way, Hoofing It! is the perfect companion for a stroll around the neighborhoods of Saratoga Springs. Whether you live in Saratoga Springs, or enjoy visiting the Spa City, Hoofing It! will be the tour guide you^ve always wanted. You can purchase your copy of Hoofing It! at bookstores in Saratoga Springs or online at Amazon.com.
"Hoofing It" guidebooks are available for $17.95 at the following locations:
Barnes & Noble - Borders - Brookside Museum - Crafters Gallery - Departure at the Albany Airport - Impressions - Lyrical Ballad - NYRA Store at the Race Track - Saratoga County Arts Council - Saratoga Springs History Museum - Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation - Saratoga Springs Visitor Center - Seasons in Saratoga - Skidmore Bookstore - Soave Faire - Tang Museum, and other fine retail establishments throughout the Capital District.
Ten to Save
Out of our survey of the current condition of the historic neighborhoods in Saratoga Springs done in the Fall of 2003 and reviewed periodically by volunteers with the Foundation, we identified about 20% of the buildings in the survey area had some conditions that threatened the historic integrity of the building. We have selected the ten buildings that are the most significantly threatened because of neglect, vacancy or abandonment, or over-development. Click here to see the list of Ten Buildings Worth Saving.
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