The Foundation continues to work toward preserving the historic 1870’s commercial building located at 26 Caroline Street.  The Foundation reached out to the owner multiple times to provide assistance, including offering to pay for a structural engineer to evaluate preserving the building or, at the very least, its façade.  Unfortunately, the owner denied access to our structural engineer and to a prospective buyer who had expressed interest in preserving the façade.

Despite not being granted access, the Foundation moved forward with hiring Donald Friedman of Old Structures Engineering PC, a nationally recognized structural engineer of historic buildings, to evaluate the building from the exterior.  His structural report addresses three options: preserving the building, preserving only the façade, and demolition.  He concluded that the same initial steps would need to be taken to preserve the building, preserve the façade, or to safely demolish the structure so that the adjacent buildings are not damaged.  To view Don Friedman’s report, click here.
This morning Samantha Bosshart, Executive Director of the Foundation, attended the City Council pre-agenda meeting. The future of 26 Caroline Street was discussed. The Foundation offered to provide the City of Saratoga Springs up to $2,000 to pay for an independent structural engineer to provide a report in addition to the report that the Foundation has provided and the reports provided by the owner’s engineer, which conflict.

At that meeting, the City agreed to declare the fire damaged 26 Caroline Street an emergency and to hire Ryan-Biggs to do an independent assessment of the building.  The Ryan-Biggs report will help to inform the City as to next steps to take regarding the future of this building.  The Foundation remains hopeful that the Design Review Commission which is charged “to protect and enhance the landmarks and historic districts which it represents” will be engaged in the process.

The Foundation will continue to provide updates as they become available.  Thank you for your support of preserving the unique architecture and cultural heritage of Saratoga Springs.

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.