Universal Preservation Hall included in Restore New York Communities Initiative
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Monday that Universal Preservation Hall joined nine other Capital Region projects for the Restore New York Communities Initiative.
Universal Preservation Hall will receive $750,000 to redevelop the vacant structure into a performing arts center for Proctors. It will include an 800-seat theatre and community event space, administrative offices and an elevator for increased accessibility.
“This is a big day for Universal Preservation Hall and for Saratoga Springs,” said UPH Campaign Director Teddy Foster. “We are so pleased to receive this award and can’t wait to begin the construction that will bring UPH to life.”
The project, expected to cost an estimated $8.7 million, at 25 Washington St. will bring yearround entertainment to the site. The location has been used recently to host weddings, forums and social events.
Renovation will support an estimated 101 local jobs and have a $6.1 million impact on the local economy in its first year, according to the Capital District Regional Planning Commission.
“The city is experiencing such growth,” said Proctors CEO Philip Morris. “UPH will be an important part of its, and the region’s, cultural and economic life. Part of our philosophy is to bring people together and UPH will now become a community living room for Saratoga.”
The project is expected to serve an estimated 65,000 visitors per year, with a $3.5 million annual economic impact.
The project remains in active fundraising mode.
As far as programming goes, the space is ideal for musical performances, officials said.
The second floor will feature a performance space that can seat about 800 people. The stage will be in the middle of the room, officials said, allowing everyone to have a seat close to the action.
The city Planning Board already approved the site plan for the project.
“We thank Gov. Cuomo, Mayor Meg Kelly and Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Finance Michele Madigan for this auspicious award, and for deeming UPH worthy of such investment,” Foster said. “Our transformation from 19th century High Victorian Gothic church to state-of-the-art performance facility will be nothing short of amazing.”
Cuomo announced more than $11 million has been awarded to municipalities through Round 5 of the initiative.
“Downtown communities are vital to keeping our economies thriving and to attracting businesses and families to put down their roots in New York,” Cuomo said. “The Restore New York Communities Initiative recognizes communities teeming with potential and invests in their transformation and their future, and turns them into neighborhoods New Yorkers are proud to call home.”
Nearly $81 million was awarded to 71 municipalities statewide.
“Traveling across the state, I see the many buildings in communities that have great possibilities to be restored with the charm they once had,” Lieutenant Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “With this Restore New York funding, we’re committed to ensuring that our localities have the resources they need to pursue new development projects and transform abandoned properties.
“The Restore New York initiative continues to work with local leaders and stakeholders to unleash the full potential of economic development opportunities across the state.”
Capital Region Projects include:
• City of Albany — $1,800,000 — Renovation of 251 North Pearl Street, a vacant industrial building in Livingston Square, into the new and permanent home of
the Capital Repertory Theatre.
• City of Schenectady — $1,800,000 — Renovation and restoration of four vacant and blighted downtown buildings located on State Street and Clinton Street into new mixed-use facilities.
• City of Troy — $1,800,000 —- Rehabilitation of 701 River Street, a 90,000-square foot former industrial building, into a mixed-use development on Troy’s Riverfront Brownfield Opportunity Area with retail/office space to house a restaurant, potential brewery, retail shops and 80 market rate apartments.
• Village of Catskill — $1,000,000 — Redevelopment of a former millinery and furniture warehouse into FORELAND Catskill, a commercial office building with a focus on artists and the creative economy. Spaces for artists, writers, designers and creative entrepreneurs will be created, along with a restaurant, event and retail space.
• Town of Colonie — $1,000,000 — Demolition of Building 13 of the former First Prize Center, located on 32 acres at 76 Exchange street, making room for a new 152,000-square foot retail and commercial development.
• Town of Schodack — $800,000 — Demolition of a former otel at 1344 US Route 9 for the construction of a new 7,200-square foot office building, which will serve as the Northeast Regional Headquarters for A. Servidone, Inc., a construction company.
• City of Glens Falls — $750,000 — The demolition of 49 and 51-57 South Street, followed by the construction of a 10,000-square foot Farmers Market Food Hub; as well as the environmental remediation and rehabilitation of two adjacent buildings in preparation for proposed adaptive mixeduse developments.
• Village of Colonie — $700,000 — Deconstruction and rehabilitation of the former Colonie Community Center at 1653 Central Avenue into a 21,000 squarefoot commercial mixed-use complex.
City of Cohoes — $631,000 — Renovation of 95 Remsen St., a vacant three-story building, and redevelop into a restaurant and apartments to generate further downtown development.
“Revitalizing vacant and aging properties in our downtown neighborhoods is an exciting and meaningful way to generate economic development and job creation, and I thank Governor Cuomo for his shared interest in helping our communities reach their full potential,” Assemblymember Carrie Woernerb said.
“The Universal Preservation Hall is an invaluable historic asset to downtown Saratoga Springs, and this funding will provide critical support to preserve and restore a beloved landmark as an exciting new venue for the arts while respecting its heritage as a house of worship.”