HomeMy WebLinkAbout20210243 29 Washington St. Development Site Plan SHPO Letter erriNEW YORK Parks, Recreation
STATE OPPORTUNITY, and Historic Preservation
ANDREW M.CUOMO ERIK KULLESEID
Governor Commissioner
ARCHAEOLOGY COMMENTS
Phase IA Archaeological Survey Recommendation
Project: Construction of a Six-story Building
PR#: 21 PR03340
Date: 5/25/2021
Your project is in an archaeologically sensitive area. Therefore, the State Historic Preservation Office/Office of
Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (SHPO/OPRHP) recommends that a Phase IA Literature Search
and Sensitivity Assessment survey is warranted. A Phase IA archaeological survey is designed to identify
previously recorded archaeological sites and other cultural resources within or near the project area, to assess
the archaeological sensitivity of the project area, to document previous ground disturbance and to make
recommendations regarding the potential need for Phase IB subsurface archaeological testing.
Our office does not conduct archaeological surveys. A 36 CFR 61 qualified archaeologist should be retained
to conduct the Phase IA archaeological survey.
If you have any questions concerning archaeology, please contact Jessica Schreyer at
Jessica.Schreyer@parks.ny.gov.
Division for Historic Preservation
P.O Box 189,Waterford,New York 12188-0189•(518)237-8643•https://parks.ny.gov
STEwYORK Parks, Recreation,
OPPORTUNITYATE OF
- and Historic Preservation
ANDREW M. CUOMO ERIK KULLESEID
Governor Commissioner
June 7, 2021
Susan Barden
Principal Planner
Office of Planning and Economic Development
474 Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Re: SEQRA
Construction of a Six-story Building
19 &23 Washington Street/353 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
21 PR03340
Dear Susan Barden:
Thank you for requesting the comments of the Division for Historic Preservation of the Office of
Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) as part of your SEQRA process. These
comments are those of the Division for Historic Preservation and relate only to Historic/Cultural
resources. They do not include potential environmental impacts to New York State Parkland that
may be involved in or near your project. Such impact must be considered as part of the
environmental review of the project pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act
(New York Environmental Conservation Law Article 8) and its implementing regulations (6
NYCRR Part 617).
We have reviewed the project submission document from Heritage Consulting for the proposed
construction of a six-story building on the partially undeveloped lot at 19 &23 Washington
Street. We note that the project is located within the State and National Register listed
Broadway Historic District. The Bethesda Parish House, Universal Preservation Hall, 491-351
Broadway, and 353-355 Broadway (American Hotel) are within the immediate project area.
Based on this review, we have the following comments and concerns regarding the proposed
new construction:
Impacts to adjacent historic structures: we recommend that a visual impact study be produced
to fully assess visibility of the new construction from locations within the district, particularly
across Broadway toward the American Hotel (Rip Van Dam Hotel).
Parish House Rear Addition: We recommend further research and physical investigation of the
structure to evaluate its historic significance. If it is found to be a significant historic feature, we
recommend that it be retained and repaired. If preservation is not possible, it should be
photographically documented prior to removal. If removed, the former connection to the Parish
House should be treated and repaired appropriately.
Single-story addition removal: we do not have concerns with removal of the single-story addition
to 353 Broadway (5 Washington St.) as we believe that this does not contribute to the historic
significance of the building or district.
Division for Historic Preservation
P.O.Box 189,Waterford,New York 12188-0189•(518)237-8643•parks.ny.gov
New Construction: The proposed new construction, as viewed along Washington Street,
appears to be generally appropriate to the historic district. We recommend that the applicant
continue to work with the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation on details concerning the
project and new building design details.
In addition, please see the archaeological survey request from SHPO archaeologist, Jessica
Schreyer, sent with this communication.
If this project will involve state or federal permitting, funding or licensing, it may require
continued review for potential impacts to architectural and archaeological resources, in
accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act or Section 14.09 of NYS
Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation Law.
We would appreciate that any further submissions be provided via our Cultural Resource
Information System (CRIS) at www.nysparks.com/shpo/online-tools/Once on the CRIS site, you
can log in as a guest and choose"submit" at the very top menu. Next choose "submit new
information for an existing project". You will need this project number and your e-mail address.
If you have any questions, I can be reached at (518) 268-2164.
Sincerely,
Weston Davey
Historic Site Restoration Coordinator
weston.davey@parks.ny.gov via e-mail only
Division for Historic Preservation
P.O. Box 189,Waterford,New York 12188-0189•(518)237-8643•parks.ny.gov