HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230613 38 Beekman Demo Public Comment (2)7/19/23, 2:09 PM Zimbra
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From :noreply@civicplus.com
Subject :Online Form Submittal: Land Use Board Agenda Public
Comment
To :julia destino <julia.destino@saratoga-springs.org>,
amanda tucker <amanda.tucker@saratoga-springs.org>,
susanna combs <susanna.combs@saratoga-springs.org>
Zimbra julia.destino@saratoga-springs.org
Online Form Submittal: Land Use Board Agenda Public Comment
Wed, Jul 19, 2023 09:53 AM
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Land Use Board Agenda Public Comment
SUBMIT COMMENTS REGARDING CITY PROJECTS
Thank you for submitting your comments. Your feedback will be forwarded
to the City's Planning Department and Land Use Board members. NOTE:
Comments submitted later than 12:00 noon on the day before the Land Use
Board meeting may not be reviewed prior to their meeting. All comments will
be added to the project file in the Planning Department.
Land Use Board Design Review Board
Name Amejo Amyot
Email Address aamejo@gmail.com
Business Name Amejo Wyn Amyot Artist
Address 73B Beekman St
City Saratoga Springs
State NY
Zip Code 12866
Phone Number Field not completed.
Project Name 38 Beekman demolition
Project Number 20220613
Project Address 38 Beekman St
7/19/23, 2:09 PM Zimbra
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Comments I am opposed to the demolition of 38 Beekman and here are
some of my reasons why.
An important fact about our neighborhood is that older buildings
in the Arts District help keep rents affordable for the arts. We
have an Arts District today because some of the artists have
been in this for the long haul. Older buildings have cheaper
rents.
Twenty plus years ago, when I decided on Beekman for the
arts district it was because it was affordable for artists. It was
affordable because it had 5 abandoned buildings and all the
rest were in need of repair. It was derelict with no street trees,
crumbling sidewalks, one industrial street light on one corner,
and drug addicts everywhere. When I walked down Beekman
to work on my abandoned building, where Taverna Novo is
now, I picked up hypodermic needles, pint whiskey bottles and
condoms every morning.
A few brave artists took on bringing a street back from decline.
We didn’t give up and that made it possible for the Arts District
to be here now.
If we tore down every derelict building on Beekman, we would
now look like West Ave. No character, no history, no
community.
The design for the proposed new building does not fit into the
historic character of the neighborhood. Parking will become a
bigger issue. The Local with 30 or more employees takes up all
the parking on Beekman and Grand.
The new building at 65 Beekman, corner of Oak, was proposed
as artist-friendly but that changed once they got permitted.
Builders promise things like that, but really they are in it for the
money.
If we want to keep our art community, we need to be long
visioned, not go after the easy fix.
Amejo Amyot, founder of the arts district, and one who
rehabbed 4 buildings on the street…68, 73 A and B and 79.
PS I'm not able to attach here several photos of 5 buildings in
our neighborhood that were condemned- all restored now
without changing the footprint or the original structure. Will
send separately.
7/19/23, 2:09 PM Zimbra
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Attach Photo (optional)74 Beekman 2008.jpg
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