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Home My WebLink About20250585 233 Ballston Ave Espey Demo EmailOutlook Re: [External] 233 Ballston - Demo of Significant Structure From James R. Davis <jdavis@espey.com> Date Fri 2/6/2026 1:27 PM To Julia Destino <Julia.Destino@saratoga-springs.org> Cc MAINTENANCE <maint@espey.com>; Kyle T. Jackson <K Jackson@espey.com> 2 attachments (169 KB) DRB 12.10.25 Minutes.pdf; 00303_1JkPinoGw7K_0CI0t2_600x450.jpg; Caution: This is an external email and may have suspicious content or subject. Please take care when clicking links or opening attachments. When in doubt, contact IT. Hi Julia, Thanks for reaching out. I’ve had the building listed on Craigslist for almost two months. FOR SALE: BRICK STRUCTURE FOR RELOCATION - business/commercial - by owner - sale - craigslist albany.craigslist.org So far I have received two responses. One told me “good luck “ and the other offered a quote to demolish it. I’m not sure how long I need to leave it out there before trying again. I’ve also had a few people come to check the feasibility of moving it, and have been told that it’s not possible or practical even to move it elsewhere on the property. Even attempting to move is would be $1million plus with no probability of success. We do want to move forward in the process. How long do I need to wait for offers before trying again? I can forward you the responses received if it will assist. Any input you can provide would be appreciated. Best regards, Jim Sent from my iPhone 2/19/26, 11:11 AM Inbox - Julia Destino - Outlook https://outlook.office365.com/mail/id/AAkALgAAAAAAHYQDEapmEc2byACqAC%2FEWg0AxlDIuR%2FRMEO89B%2FMS6nl%2BQABpNogRgAA 1/5 On Feb 6, 2026, at 1:04 PM, Julia Destino <Julia.Destino@saratoga-springs.org> wrote: Good afternoon Jim, I wanted to check in with you regarding the demolition of the building on your property. At our December 10 meeting, it was discussed, and some of the Board members were not satisfied with the documentation you submitted for the demolition of a historic structure. I have attached the minutes for your reference to clarify what the Board would need to further review your request for demolition. I have highlighted some of the more pertinent comments regarding what the Board needs. Please reach out if you have any questions or need anything from me. Thank you, Julia Destino Senior Planner City of Saratoga Springs 474 Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Phone: 518-587-3550 ext. 2533 PLEASE BE AWARE OF SCAMS! https://saratoga-springs.org /CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=898 From: James R. Davis <jdavis@espey.com> Sent: Monday, November 3, 2025 9:03 AM To: Julia Destino <Julia.Destino@saratoga-springs.org> Cc: MAINTENANCE <maint@espey.com>; Kyle T. Jackson <KJackson@espey.com> Subject: RE: [External] 233 Ballston - Demo of Significant Structure Caution: This is an external email and may have suspicious content or subject. Please take care when clicking links or opening attachments. When in doubt, contact IT. Good morning Julia, I wanted to share with you a structural report we had completed after the decision. As far as the items below to still enable its’ demolition, I would like to see if we have agreement on the answers I’ll provide below: a. For the proposed demolition of a structure with architectural or historical significance, the applicant must demonstrate good cause as to why such structure cannot be preserved. The applicant must provide the following: i. The applicant must document good faith efforts in seeking an alternative that will result in the preservation of the structure including consultation with the Design Review Board and the Saratoga Springs 2/19/26, 11:11 AM Inbox - Julia Destino - Outlook https://outlook.office365.com/mail/id/AAkALgAAAAAAHYQDEapmEc2byACqAC%2FEWg0AxlDIuR%2FRMEO89B%2FMS6nl%2BQABpNogRgAA 2/5 Preservation Foundation. The relocation of structures may be permitted as an alternative to demolition. – I spoke with the Preservation Foundation and was informed they merely provided information to the Design Review Board and that they have no say in the final outcome. The relocation of the structure is not feasible, as it is already in a state of disrepair. ii. The applicant must document efforts to find a purchaser interested in acquiring and preserving the structure. – Espey has no desire to sell the structure itself or the land that it sits upon, as it is part of our larger gated complex. We cannot sub-let the property, due to the nature of our business, which deals with government contracts and classified projects. Therefore I believe this item is not applicable. I believe during the DRC meeting, they also mentioned this was not a practical solution. iii. The applicant must demonstrate that the structure cannot be adapted for any other permitted use, whether by the current owner or by a purchaser, which would result in a reasonable return. – Due to the failing condition of the building, we feel it is unsafe to utilize the structure as is. As noted in ii above, the sale of this portion of our property is not feasible. Due to these issues, the structure cannot be adapted for any other permitted use. iv. The applicant must submit evidence that the property is not capable of earning a reasonable return regardless of whether that return represents the most profitable return possible. “Dollars and cents proof” is required to demonstrate such hardship. – As the building sits now, it has no power or water and can only be used as a storage location. Due to its’ deteriorating condition, we cannot use it as a functioning work space. Therefore the possibility of a profitable return is not achievable. v. Application for demolition of a structure with historic or architectural significance must include acceptable post-demolition plans for the site. Such plans include an acceptable timetable and guarantees which may include performance bonds/letters of credit for demolition and completion of the project. The Design Review Board may condition the issuance of a demolition approval on the applicant’s receipt of all other necessary approvals and permits for the post- demolition plan. – Our plan is to turn the area into Greenspace , to allow our 150 plus employees a tranquil place to enjoy the outdoors during breaks and lunchtime. Our intent at the present time is to have a parklike atmosphere to allow or staff to relax and destress. I believe the only portion of these requirements that still need to be met is to consult with the DRC for an alternate outcome. I am willing to meet with the team, but we are not willing to invest dollars into a failing building. Espey would like to safely take down the building while we can, instead of waiting for imminent failure before we act. Please let me know the next step in our process to remove this failing building. Thanks, Jim Davis 2/19/26, 11:11 AM Inbox - Julia Destino - Outlook https://outlook.office365.com/mail/id/AAkALgAAAAAAHYQDEapmEc2byACqAC%2FEWg0AxlDIuR%2FRMEO89B%2FMS6nl%2BQABpNogRgAA 3/5 From: Julia Destino <Julia.Destino@saratoga-springs.org> Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2025 2:02 PM To: James R. Davis <jdavis@espey.com> Subject: Fw: [External] 233 Ballston - Demo of Significant Structure Good Afternoon, Attached is the Notice of Decision deeming the structure at 233 Ballston Ave to be historically/architecturally significant. Thank you, Julia Destino Planner City of Saratoga Springs 474 Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Phone: 518-587-3550 ext. 2533 From: Julia Destino Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2025 10:13 AM To: jdavis@espey.com <jdavis@espey.com> Subject: 233 Ballston - Demo of Significant Structure Good Morning, At the August 6, 2025 DRB meeting, it was found that the structure you wish to demolish at 233 Ballston is historically or architecturally significant. If you wish to move forward with demolition of a significant structure, you need to come back before the Board with the following information, as stated in our UDO, Article 13, J: Demolition, 3: Structures with Architectural or Historic Significance: 3. Structures with Architectural or Historic Significance a. For the proposed demolition of a structure with architectural or historical significance, the applicant must demonstrate good cause as to why such structure cannot be preserved. The applicant must provide the following: i. The applicant must document good faith efforts in seeking an alternative that will result in the preservation of the structure including consultation with the Design Review Board and the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation. The relocation of structures may be permitted as an alternative to demolition. ii. The applicant must document efforts to find a purchaser interested in acquiring and preserving the structure. iii. The applicant must demonstrate that the structure cannot be adapted for any other permitted use, whether by the current owner or by a purchaser, which would result in a reasonable return. iv. The applicant must submit evidence that the property is not capable of earning a reasonable return regardless of whether that return represents the most profitable return possible. “Dollars and cents proof” is required to demonstrate such hardship. v. Application for demolition of a structure with historic or architectural significance must include acceptable post-demolition plans for the site. 2/19/26, 11:11 AM Inbox - Julia Destino - Outlook https://outlook.office365.com/mail/id/AAkALgAAAAAAHYQDEapmEc2byACqAC%2FEWg0AxlDIuR%2FRMEO89B%2FMS6nl%2BQABpNogRgAA 4/5 Such plans include an acceptable timetable and guarantees which may include performance bonds/letters of credit for demolition and completion of the project. The Design Review Board may condition the issuance of a demolition approval on the applicant’s receipt of all other necessary approvals and permits for the post- demolition plan. b. The Design Review Board will schedule a public hearing on an application for demolition of a structure with historic or architectural significance. Notice is required as indicated in Section 13.3. Please let me know how you would like to proceed, and if you want to move forward to appeal to the Board to demo, let me know when you anticipate having the above information ready for presenting. Thank you, Julia Destino Planner City of Saratoga Springs 474 Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Phone: 518-587-3550 ext. 2533 The information contained in this message is intended solely for the individual it is specifically and originally addressed. This message and its contents may contain confidential or privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure or distribution, or taking any action in reliance on the content of this information is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please delete it from any computer and notify the sender. If you suspect that this message may have been altered, please notify the sender. The information contained in this message is intended solely for the individual it is specifically and originally addressed. This message and its contents may contain confidential or privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure or distribution, or taking any action in reliance on the content of this information is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please delete it from any computer and notify the sender. If you suspect that this message may have been altered, please notify the sender. 2/19/26, 11:11 AM Inbox - Julia Destino - Outlook https://outlook.office365.com/mail/id/AAkALgAAAAAAHYQDEapmEc2byACqAC%2FEWg0AxlDIuR%2FRMEO89B%2FMS6nl%2BQABpNogRgAA 5/5