The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation is disappointed with the recent New York State Supreme Court decision that upheld the December 5, 2012 Design Review Commission (DRC) decision to permit the demolition of the 1871 Winans-Crippen house located at 66 Franklin Street.
The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation’s mission is to promote the preservation and enhancement of the architectural, cultural, and landscaped heritage of Saratoga Springs. Being one of the last remaining buildings designed by architect J.D. Stevens, who designed the significant United States and Grand Union Hotels that no longer exist, and a contributing building to the Franklin Square-West Side Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Foundation feels that it is important and worthy of preservation.
The Foundation, along with its legal counsel, had a different interpretation of the Historic Review Ordinance and felt that requirements of the Historic Review Ordinance failed to be met.” The Foundation will have to review the Judge’s decision in detail to determine whether it should be appealed.
This demolition application was reviewed under the Historic Review Ordinance prior to the recent amendments to the Historic Review Ordinance that were adopted by the City in September 2012. The amendments to the Historic Review Ordinance strengthen and clarify the demolition criteria that the DRC must now follow.
This particular case highlighted the need for a vacant building registry. Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation worked along with the City of Saratoga Springs Public Safety Department to develop and adopt a Vacant Building Registry this year. The Vacant Building Registry brings us one step closer towards preventing buildings from deteriorating to the point where demolition is considered the only option.