Historic Preservation: Asking the Candidates
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> Our city is fortunate to have such a diverse, extensive collection of historic resources that make our community special, many of which have been highlighted over the years in these articles. Our historic downtown and neighborhoods are the destinations they are today because of the vision, commitment, effort, investment, and oversight of many over decades. However, this is not something we can take for granted as we look to the future. Preserving our city’s special character will continue to take vision, commitment, effort, investment, and oversight by city officials and residents.
With the election on Nov. 5, the Foundation thought it would be helpful to voters to know how the candidates view historic preservation. The consensus among all the candidates is that historic preservation plays an important role in maintaining the prosperity of our city. In total six questions were asked, but due to space limitations not every question can be featured in this article.
Please note that as a not-for-profit 501(c)3, the Foundation cannot endorse anyone for elected office. Every City Council candidate was contacted. County Supervisors were not asked to participate. Below are the verbatim answers that were received from candidates. ••• The city has buildings that detract from their neighborhoods because they are not being properly maintained by their owners. Over the last decade more than 10 historic buildings that were vacant and/or in poor condition have been lost to demolition. What measures do you think the city should take to address this situation?
Meg Kelly, Mayoral Candidate:
“Possession of an historic building carries both a distinctly valuable and a (sometimes costly) substantial stewardship. It is something that the property owner proactively chooses and benefits from upon purchase. I believe that this responsibility should be clearly transmitted to potential owners, and just as clearly enforced as well as supported.”
Tim Holmes, Mayoral Candidate
“Identifying true historic value is a realistic approach to success in this aspect of preservation. The presence of an owner or occupant willing to preserve the building is necessary. Cost can be a factor when the property is sustained for income production.
“Education for prospective owners and occupants can be encouraged by informing of existing tax incentives and restoration support from a variety of sources. Organizations such as the Preservation Foundation can provide an invaluable role in gauging the significance of properties to the city’s historic streetscape.”
Michele Madigan, Commissioner of Finance Candidate
“Unsightly and deteriorating property is not pleasant for any neighbor or neighborhood regardless of location. I would ask our building, planning, zoning and code department to come up with tangible solutions that can be enforced to ensure properties are not left vacant and are well maintained. We have a database now of vacant properties. Reports should be shared with the City Council that includes a status on these vacant properties.
“I believe there are opportunities for the city to partner with the SSPF to assist through financial incentives to rehabilitate deteriorating historic structures. Similar to how the city has supported Universal Preservation Hall and Affordable Housing initiatives.”
Patty Morrison, Commissioner of Finance Candidate
“As the next Commissioner of Finance, my first focus will be to have these problem properties identified and reevaluated as to neighborhood safety concerns, as well as the detrimental and negative economic impacts to the neighborhood. Owners of these problem properties should be encour
aged to work with the City in bringing these properties up to a minimum standard of exterior maintenance and care or face fines for their negligence.
“All such problem properties should be paying their full and fair share of property taxes in-spite of their refusal to maintain an otherwise problem property. Additionally, all current code enforcement should be strictly applied. And certainly, any of these properties with overdue taxes should face an In Rem proceeding in-order for the City to take control of the property.”
Robin Dalton, Commissioner of Public Safety Candidate:
“I think every effort needs to be made to ensure properties are in compliance with Code Enforcement and maintained at a satisfactory level. Non-compliance should be handled in a timely and consistent manner.”
Kendall Hicks, Commissioner of Public Safety Candidate:
“The city has buildings that detract from their neighborhoods because they are not being properly maintained by their owners. Over the last decade more than 10 historic buildings that were vacant and/or in poor condition have been lost to demolition. What measures do you think the city should take to address this situation?
“This unfortunate issue could reflect many challenges, including a decline in income, personal life events and conflicts, as well as those seeking profit and/or investment gains. That said, my initial thoughts on this are: review the City Comprehensive Plan to ensure that the property and its use fit the neighborhoods and the community; explore the use of possible grants & co-funding to help with upgrades, if and when appropriate; and, encourage and develop stronger community relations that may promote neighborhood cohesiveness, cooperation, and pride.”
Skip Scirocco, Commissioner of Public Works Candidate:
“Code enforcement needs to focus on proactively working with property owners to prevent demolition by neglect situations. There are new city ordinances requiring that owners maintain their properties and Code has been working to prevent zombie properties. If owners are engaged and required to maintain these properties, hopefully their next best option will be resale and new owners can invest in restoring historic properties from disrepair.”
Dillon Moran, Commissioner of Public Works Candidate:
“I believe we need to be more aggressive toward delinquent property owners, particularly those who are ignoring historic structures. Particular if the building’s ownership has reverted to a financial institution, that institution should not be allowed to neglect the property to the point that it becomes a Zombie property. I believe it to be in the city’s and citizen’s best interest to take the property through the legal routes available. If new laws are needed to facilitate this, we must consider these and bring them forward for a vote.” ••• There are several historic buildings within our city that are in disrepair. Is there a specific building you want to see preserved?
Meg Kelly, Mayoral Candidate:
“There is not a single historic building within our City that I would not like to see preserved. However, I realize that “priority” is a key word in the language of every mission, and I suspect “preservation” is no exception. To that extent, I would leave it to the experts to complete this significance/resources analysis in making this difficult analysis.”
Tim Holmes, Mayoral Candidate:
“The Brackett cottages on Excelsior Avenue.”
Michele Madigan, Commissioner of Finance Candidate
“There are 2 buildings on Clinton Street between Alger and Van Dam – they look like twin buildings and I believe are attached or directly next to each other. They would be simply adorable if they were to be restored and would do much to improve the street scape on Clinton Street not to mention home values throughout this area of the city.”
Patty Morrison, Commissioner of Finance Candidate
“For quite some time I have been secretly admiring the property and outbuildings at 166 Excelsior Ave with the consideration of potentially purchasing to renovate and restore. In my humble opinion this home which falls outside the historic district is a gem and our community would be well served to preserve it.”
Robin Dalton, Commissioner of Public Safety Candidate
“I would love to see the properties restored that have languished on Phila Street. It is such a beautiful and unique block in the city and everyone would benefit from its preservation.”
Kendall Hicks, Commissioner of Public Safety Candidate
“Again, the Frederick Allen Lodge, 69 Beekman Street. This building is in dire need of repair. Once repaired, the Lodge will be able to expand their community support, including youth programs, generating more funds for their college scholarships, supporting initiatives of SOS, feeding the homeless, feeding our food-insecure school children, … and the list goes on.”
Skip Scirocco, Commissioner of Public Works Candidate
“There are a couple houses on Phila Street I would like to see restored, if they have not been invested into already. It was great to see investment into the restoration of Universal
Preservation Hall. In general, with good advocacy I think there has been a fair amount of investment into preserving historic buildings in the city in the last few years.
“A list of historic properties in various states of disrepair should be shared with the council and code enforcement so everyone has up front awareness of these locations.”
Dillon Moran, Commissioner of Public Works Candidate
“It may be too late, but there are two “Zombie” properties on lower Phila Street that should have been taken in long ago. These properties decrease the value of surrounding homes, present clear safety hazards and do not provide revenue to the city at a level they would if restored and lived in. Both these are perfect examples of the need to preserve historic buildings before they reach a point of disrepair.” ••• Several other questions were asked, including: What is your favorite historic building in our city and why? What role do you think historic preservation plays in maintaining the prosperity of our city and please explain. What is your solution to prevent the continued disrepair and potential loss of important historic accessory structures? Do you have concerns about the loss of historic buildings and/or the design, mass and scale of infill development? If you do, what steps should the city take to protect historic buildings that are not currently protected and to improve the design of new construction? The answers to these questions are posted on the Foundation’s website www.saratogapreservation.org.
The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation believes that preserving our unique historic downtown and neighborhoods is essential to attracting new residents, visitors, and businesses to our community, directly contributing to the overall high quality of life and economic success of Saratoga Springs. Hope you find this information helpful when you vote.
Founded in 1977, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation is a private, not-for-profit organization that promotes preservation and enhancement of the architectural, cultural and landscaped heritage of Saratoga Springs. To learn more and to support the Foundation’s efforts, please visit www.saratogapreservation.org.