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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230308 Beekman Arts District Expansion Letter Requesting Additional District ExpansionTo: City Council of Saratoga Springs From: Richard and Cecilia Lockwood, 143 Grand Ave at Beekman St Re: Expanding AC district one block north to Washington St. May 23, 2023 Thanks to our new LIDO, we now have an official Arts District in Saratoga. The Beekman St Arts District is currently a 3-block area from Grand Ave to West Circular, which is designated as the only'AC' zone (Arts and Culture) in the city. The artists, business owners and residents of our neighborhood worked hard for this designation and wish to continue our efforts to expand the AC district one block north to Washington St. to accommodate the growing demand for live/work space for artists. We have owned our property at 143 Grand at the corner of Beekman for 15 years and were granted a use variance to run our artisan business in 2008. Since setting up our business there, the Arts District has become a thriving arts destination in our city, and there is lots of interest from our arts community for more studio space. Currently, our block is not officially in the AC zone but we, along with all our neighbors on this block, would like to be included as part of the official Arts District. The reason for this request is to allow uses for our buildings to include art studios and galleries, along with the residential uses. We would like to be able to offer live/work space for studio artists and include this block in our many public art events during the year. This is a natural and modest extension of the Arts District and as long time members and advocates of the Beekman St Arts District, we would like our property to be officially recognized as within the AC zone. Thanks for your consideration. Cecilia and Richard Lockwood Textile Studio !43 Grand Ave at Beekman Street Saratoga Springs NY 12866 518-583-2129 fritlock@verizon.net 11/13/23, 1:05 PM Zimbra Zimbra Fwd: 103 Beekman Street susan.barden@saratoga-springs.org From : Caroline Haladjian <caroline77@gmail.com> Mon, Sep 25, 2023 08:02 PM Subject: Fwd: 103 Beekman Street To : Susan Barden <susan.barden@saratoga-springs.org>, aneisha samuels <aneisha.samuels@saratoga-springs.org> CAUTION: This email originated outside of the City network. Please contact IT Support if you need assistance determining if it's a threat before opening attachments or clicking any links. Dear Susan and Aneisha- See below- Letter approving rezoning our block from 138 Washington Street owner. Begin forwarded message: From: "Tricia C." <tcintoga@gmail.com> Date: September 23, 2023 at 3:25:42 PM EDT To: Caroline Haladjian <caroline77@gmail. com> Subject: Re: 103 Beekman Street Hi Caroline, I will support growing the art district to Washington St. I like to support women and especially if they have interesting dreams. I do think its a great location and I have always loved your house. Best Wishes, Tricia Cioni On Tue, Sep 19, 2023 at 8:42 PM Caroline Haladjian <caroline77@gmail.com> wrote: Dear Tricia- I hope that you are well. I am your neighbor at 103 Beekman Street. I have had a dream to be able and use my home on Beekman as a creative outlet. I am a fashion designer that recently relocated from New York City during the pandemic with my husband and two young children. We have outgrown the home to be able and live in but feel with the location being in the arts district, this could be a great opportunity for me to have a design studio where I could offer classes as well as sell some local retail items. The theme of this idea aligns and complements all the wonderful, creative businesses already on Beekman Street. The city has advised me that the zoning would need to extend to our block to be included with the Arts and Culture district. To expand the Arts District by just this one block would allow for us to hftps:Hm.saratoga-springs.org/h/printmessage?id=98351 &tz=America/New_York 1 /3 11/13/23, 1:05 PM Zimbra of my property at 103 Beekman St to be a sewing studio, offering classes to people of all ages, as well as have some retail items for sale. The theme of this idea aligns and complements all the wonderful, creative businesses already on Beekman Street. To expand the Arts District by just this one block would allow for us to have an even greater presence in the community. Integrating more of the arts into our community brings individuals together Thank you for your time and consideration. Caroline Haladjian Joubin https://m.saratoga-springs.orq/h/printmessage?id=98351 &tz=America/New York 3/3