HomeMy WebLinkAbout20250585 233 Ballston Ave Espey Manufacturing Demolition SSPF LetterBoard of Directors
Michele M. Funiciello
President
Christopher Armer
Vice President
Linda L. Harvey
Secretary
Stephen Kyne
Treasurer
Andrew Bauch
Tiffany Blair
Molly Brindle
Joseph DeLeva
Steven Dodds
Giovanna D’Orazio
James Gold
John Haller
Alex Kammler
Vincent LaTerra
Samantha Nass
Michelle Paquette-Deuel
Sheila Sperling
Jason Thomas
Roger Woody
James Kettlewell
emeritus
Staff
Samantha Bosshart
Executive Director
Dianne Winter
Development Director
Sydney Hedge
Preservation & Programs
Coordinator
Stephanie Hadley
Administrative Assistant
Patricia Herrick
Bookkeeper
August 6, 2025
Ms. Tamie Ehinger, Chair
Design Review Board
City Hall
474 Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
RE: 233 Ballston Avenue - Demolition
Dear Tamie:
The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation reviewed the application for demolition of a
structure at 233 Ballston Avenue.
Based on preliminary research, the structure that is being proposed to be demolished was built
prior to 1905. The 1900 Sanborn Map did not include this area. However, the building first
appears on an additional page that was added in August 1905. In 1901, James Baker acquired
the land that is today Espey Manufacturing & Electric Corporation. Shortly after, the Baker &
Shevlin Company developed the property as a foundry operation and machine works. They
made mill machinery required in paper and pulp mills as well as other castings. See the attached
Sanborn Map as well as excerpts from the “Souvenir 50th Anniversary The Saratogian 1855-
1905” and “Saratoga Springs: A Centennial History.” The brick structure is one of the few
remaining industrial buildings from that period in Saratoga Springs.
The Foundation finds that the structure has architectural and historical significance. Based on
the information provided by the applicant, the Foundation does not believe that the building is
beyond repair. Therefore, it does not support the proposed demolition and hopes that the
applicant will consider an alternative use for the building. The building may be eligible for
listing on the National Register of Historic Places, which would make it qualify for state and
federal rehabilitation tax credits.
Thank you in advance for your thoughtful consideration.
Sincerely,
Michele Funiciello Samantha Bosshart
President Executive Director
Cc: Jame Davis, Espey Manufacturing, Applicant
Susan Barden, Administrator OPED, City of Saratoga Springs
Julia Destino, Planner, City of Saratoga Springs
112 Spring Street, Suite 203
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
(518) 587-5030
www.saratogapreservation.org
1900 Sanborn Map, page 42 added in August of 1905, corrected to 1948.