Candidates Speak – Historic Preservation & Our Community
The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation is dedicated to the promotion of preservation and enhancement of the architectural, cultural and landscaped heritage of Saratoga Springs and advocates for policies and activities which support our mission. To carry out our mission, the Foundation often partners with the City government and other local organizations. The public policies and activities of City government have a significant impact on our community’s heritage.
As a non-profit organization the Foundation does not endorse or support any political candidate for a government office. However, the Foundation does monitor the positions of such candidates and educates our members and friends on their positions.
The last few years have been tough for most local governments, especially with declining revenues as a result of the troubled economy. The Foundation believes that even in tough economic times, government officials still have the capability to lead without incurring greater expenditures.
The City of Saratoga has faced several historic preservation challenges in recent years. Efforts to expand the boundaries of the historic district to protect the 1858 Wayland House located at 23 Greenfield Avenue failed to gain support. The Foundation has taken court action to successfully block efforts to bypass established City ordinance procedures to demolish 66 Franklin Street. Many historic houses continue to languish due to the lack of code enforcement, resulting in demolition by neglect. Eighteen months ago the City started to review and revise the important historic review ordinance that protects our historic buildings. Those changes have yet to be brought forward for public review and approval.
The Foundation sent five questions to each of the candidates running for City Council. Below are the responses that were provided by each candidate. When voting this November, the Foundation hopes you will consider the position each candidate takes on historic preservation related issues.
1. What is your favorite historic building in the City?
Scott Johnson, Mayor
We are fortunate, of course, to have so many historic buildings. The risk is taking them for granted every day. I am fortunate to work in historic City Hall everyday but I never take for granted what a cornerstone it is in our downtown streetscape. Also, we have the grandeur of the Batcheller Mansion. The Casino is a very special place, as host to many different events that give us special memories as a community. As such, I would have to say The Casino is my favorite place.
Brent Wilkes, Candidate for Mayor
There are several buildings, public and private, that I think stand out as historic treasures in Saratoga Springs. Among these are the Adelphi Hotel, the last of the grand hotels on Broadway; the Canfield Casino, which has a wonderful ballroom and a rich and interesting history (if only those walls could talk….); the Saratoga Auto Museum, a wonderful example of a successful adaptive re-use of a building, and the Hall of Springs, so majestic, both externally and internally, just to state a few. So I guess I would say that Saratoga Springs is a beautifully woven fabric of many outstanding buildings, rich in classic architectural history.
Richard Wirth, Commissioner of Public Safety
The Canfield Casino, the building itself includes several historically significant architectural aspects. Additionally, the building represents a timeline of life in Saratoga, from its days as a casino, to the museum it currently houses.
Christian E. Mathiesen, Candidate for Commissioner of Public Safety
My favorite historic buildings would include the Adelphi Hotel and City Hall. A favorite building on mine for many years was the brick residence at the northeast corner of Greenfield and Woodlawn Avenues. Unfortunately, it was torn down under circumstances that I never fully understood.
Ken Ivins, Commissioner of Finance
My favorite historic building is the Adirondack Trust Company building.
Michele Madigan, Candidate for Commissioner of Finance
My favorite historic place in the City is the Saratoga Race Course, the oldest venue for organized sports of any kind in the United States. It is the jewel of New York State and I absolutely adore it. As for my favorite historic building, that is a tough one; there are so many. I would say that as I write this, my favorite is the Olde Bryan Inn. Its rich history, its beauty, and I love the atmosphere in there – especially by the fireplace in wintertime.
John Franck, Commissioner of Accounts – Unopposed
My favorite is my office building, at 511 Broadway which is a Brezee Building.
Skip Scirocco, Commissioner of Public Works – Unopposed
My favorite historic building in the City is of course “The Canfield Casino”. People call it a gem I call it an exquisite jewel.
2. How important do you feel historic preservation and heritage tourism is to the economic success of our City?
Scott Johnson, Mayor
Undoubtedly, both historic preservation and heritage tourism is the core of our overall economic success, which led the revitalization of our City in the 1970s and 1980s. Our City is known for so many things, most notably our historic Race Course, but certainly our award designations, such as the 1996 Great American Main Street Award and the 1997 American Heritage Great American Place award, in no small part draw tourists here from literally around the world. Historic preservation is essentially a two-fold purpose: To preserve and honor our wonderful past, while strengthening our local economy as a resort destination.
Brent Wilkes, Candidate for Mayor
Historic Preservation and Heritage Tourism are very important to a city such as Saratoga Springs. According to a 2009 national research study on U.S. Cultural and Heritage Travel, 78% of all U.S. leisure travelers participate in cultural and/or heritage activities while traveling, translating to 118.3 million adults each year. Cultural and heritage visitors spend, on average, $994 per trip compared to $611 for all U.S. travelers. A huge benefit of cultural heritage tourism is the appreciation and support of a community’s unique historically preserved character.
Richard Wirth, Commissioner of Public Safety
Preservation and heritage tourism have a very important part to play in the economic viability of our city. Part of the city’s charm is its “lost in time” quality which attracts and retains visitors.
Christian E. Mathiesen, Candidate for Commissioner of Public Safety
Very important.
Ken Ivins, Commissioner of Finance
Somewhat important.
Michele Madigan, Candidate for Commissioner of Finance
I know it is very important. People the world over know Saratoga Springs through our heritage. We lived overseas for several years; when we informed some of our non-American friends that we were moving to Saratoga Springs we were treated to many stories of their visits to the Race Course, the Battlefield, the Canfield Casino, the New York State Military Museum, and so much more. These people – from all over the English speaking world – had chosen to spend their time and money in our wonderful city, and they were not bashful about telling their friends just how wonderful it is. And of course, it isn’t just foreign tourists that come here and enjoy our heritage – New Yorkers and others from across the United States come here for this reason; more of them will do so, especially if we increase our dedication to preservation and advertise it properly.
John Franck, Commissioner of Accounts – Unopposed
I feel it is of the upmost importance, when Mayor Raymond Watkin established the preservation of many buildings in the 1970’s by setting up the City’s historic district, the City began its long time period of thriving.
Skip Scirocco, Commissioner of Public Works – Unopposed
It encourages people to visit Saratoga Springs and admire our historical architecture. It’s a domino effect, they come to visit and they decide to stay (some of our historical buildings and homes have been converted into Bed & Breakfast accommodations), spending an evening or two has generated additional tourism for the City.
3. What do you think is the best way to enforce the State’s Property Maintenance Code to prevent demolition-by-neglect of historic properties?
Scott Johnson, Mayor
The State’s Property Maintenance Code to prevent demolition-by-neglect of historic properties is already a very useful tool, if utilized effectively, to prevent demolition-by-neglect. As with any legislation and code, the details and often the difficulty is in the effective enforcement. Particularly now, with needed budget restraints and the continuing need to address economic uncertainty, enforcement is even more difficult when weighed against, for example, protection of essential services. In any event, we have been reworking the job description and responsibilities of the Zoning Enforcement Office/Building Inspector for the City, with the cooperation of the Civil Service Commission, in order to strengthen the enforcement authority and responsibility for that position. We are currently interviewing candidates to fill the position. Of course, our Public Safety Department is primarily charged with code enforcement.
Brent Wilkes, Candidate for Mayor
An approach to preventing demolition by neglect would be to draft an affirmative maintenance provision for the Code which would mandate coordination between the Preservation Foundation and the building code enforcement officers. It would be very specific in defining what repairs would be required and what remedies would be available and under what circumstances.
Richard Wirth, Commissioner of Public Safety
A committee could be developed with representatives from Public Safety, the Mayor’s office, and the Preservation Foundation to assist in the preservation of the city’s many historic properties.
Christian E. Mathiesen, Candidate for Commissioner of Public Safety
I don’t know how best to prevent demolition-by-neglect. It was very frustrating for me when I was on the Zoning Board of Appeals to see properties deteriorating while owners would neither sell nor improve them. Two properties on Phila Street continue to suffer from such intentional neglect. We need to find a solution.
Ken Ivins, Commissioner of Finance
This is not my field of expertise. I would leave this up to the professionals.
Michele Madigan, Candidate for Commissioner of Finance
I do not have an opinion as to the best way to enforce the Property Maintenance Code, but it must be enforced. Inspections, citations, fines, and court orders come to mind. It occurs to me that diligence is the biggest necessity.
John Franck, Commissioner of Accounts – Unopposed
To actually read it and follow it, it is clear what the law states, and the City should not allow homeowners’ to circumvent it.
Skip Scirocco, Commissioner of Public Works – Unopposed
The best way to enforce the State’s Property Maintenance Code preventing demolition-by-neglect of historic properties is through our Code Enforcement Department in the City.
4. Do you support the position that all properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places should eventually be added to the boundaries of the City’s historic zoning district?
Scott Johnson, Mayor
The reason that there is a City historic zoning district is obvious but, unfortunately, ignored for many years and allowed to become inconsistent with the National Register Historic District. There certainly is a need to address the issue as to why the districts do not match. Whatever the course of action, we must be careful to ensure that the owners of the structures, or those within expansion of the historic zoning district, have had ample time and opportunity to either support or oppose the expansion. A prime example is the unfortunate situation with 23 Greenfield Avenue which, although designated as a supporting structure on the National Registrar, in the end did not garner enough support from the affected residents in those neighborhoods to support expansion to include their homes. The issue does need to be comprehensively addressed, on a full community level, in order to be more proactive versus reactive when a particular structure is at issue.
Brent Wilkes, Candidate for Mayor
I believe that properties listed on the National Register should be included on the City’s historic zoning district so that the structure is protected under the city preservation ordinances.
Richard Wirth, Commissioner of Public Safety
I would like to see increased dialogue within the city, and with the Mayor’s office regarding zoning laws.
Christian E. Mathiesen, Candidate for Commissioner of Public Safety
Yes.
Ken Ivins, Commissioner of Finance
This needs public debate to weigh in on all sides.
Michele Madigan, Candidate for Commissioner of Finance
Absolutely. When this is done, it must be accomplished in a way that does not impose unreasonable burdens on the owners of the properties in question.
John Franck, Commissioner of Accounts – Unopposed
Yes.
Skip Scirocco, Department of Public Safety – Unopposed
Yes, I support the position that all properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places should eventually be added to the boundaries of the City’s historic zoning district.
5. What do you think can be done to improve the historic review approval process?
Scott Johnson, Mayor
We already have a long history of great successes as a City working with the Design Review Commission and the Preservation Foundation on a number of issues and structures. We have sought and received State grants to allow us to update our historic review legislation, to clarify the city’s historic review objectives and project evaluation criteria and approvals. In addition, the grants have allowed us to update and enhance the City’s educational materials on desired design objectives within the City’s historic districts. We continue to encourage applicants to meet with City staff to guide them through the approval process and to assist them in developing a better project for the City.
Brent Wilkes, Candidate for Mayor
One way to improve the city’s historic properties review would be to mandate that the Director of Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation, a Charter mandated position, hold a seat, ex officio, on the Design Review Commission. Of course, that would also require the mayor to fill that position, which would be a good idea.
Richard Wirth, Commissioner of Public Safety
The process could be improved through better communication between all parties concerned.
Christian E. Mathiesen, Candidate for Commissioner of Public Safety
I don’t know. The City Planning Office and its volunteer land use boards are great resources.
Ken Ivins, Commissioner of Finance
Again this is not my area of expertise and ideas should be solicited from those who are potentially affected.
Michele Madigan, Candidate for Commissioner of Finance
I am not familiar enough with the historic review approval process to provide a reasoned response.
John Franck, Commissioner of Accounts – Unopposed
Update the Comprehensive plan.
Skip Scirocco, Commissioner of Public Works – Unopposed
I feel that improving of City’s zoning laws and the city codes also with a better defined Comprehensive Plan for the city that includes a section for historical review would improve the process.