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Building That Housed D’Andrea’s Liquor Store Facing Wrecking Ball

Overhead and street-level images of 81 West Ave. filed with the city and proposing demolition of the building.

by Thomas Dimopoulos Saratoga TODAY

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A longtime West Avenue building may soon be demolished.

The city’s Land Use Boards are this slated this week to determine the existence of any potential architectural or historic significance of the building that once housed D’Andrea’s Liquor Store on West Avenue, with a potential review of demolishing the structure.

The single-story 2,200 square foot building stands on the northwest corner of Washington Street/Route 29 and West Avenue, and is perhaps most noticeable to passing motorists for its exterior letter design exhibiting Spanish and Greek, Italian, German and other languages in color-filled period script.

It has previously served as a restaurant, and then a liquor store. In the summer of 2016, shortly after the liquor store closed, Faust D’Andrea sold the lot to David Mohr - president of 81 West Realty Inc., who acquired the property for $1.5 million, according to the Albany Business Review. 81 West Realty Inc. is the applicant to the city asking for the architectural/historic review, citing that the building “has been classified as an ‘unsafe structure.’ We are proposing to demolish this building and clear the lot.”

Saratoga Sheriff: Police Out In Force Memorial Day Weekend

BALLSTON SPA — The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, state and local police agencies and STOP-DWI Coordinators will be out in force May 27-31 in a “high visibility campaign” to reduce impaired-driving related injuries and deaths, county Sheriff Michael Zurlo announced this week.

“Whether on the road or on the water, we urge everyone to celebrate the holiday responsibly,” Zurlo said in a statement. “Choose a designated driver and always have a plan to get to your destination and back home safely.”

For more information, go to: www.stopdwi.org/mobileapp.

Spa City Doesn’t Get Stefanik After All: Final Congressional Map Keeps Saratoga Springs in Greater Capital Region

by Thomas Dimopoulos Saratoga TODAY

SARATOGA SPRINGS — In an 11th hour change to his draft map that would have shifted Saratoga Springs voters into the 21st congressional voting district, court-appointed special master Jonathan Cervas on May 21 released his final map, setting district boundaries along Saratoga County lines.

Previously, the draft map split Saratoga County in a jagged westto-east manner and placed Spa City voters in a district alongside those in Plattsburgh, Potsdam and other North Country municipalities along the Canadian border. Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik currently represents the 21st district.

The final map places all of Saratoga County into district 20, alongside Capital Region municipalities Albany, Schenectady and Troy, currently represented by Democrat Congressman Paul Tonko.

The draft map was released Monday May 16 and requested public input. Many did. Saratoga Springs City Mayor Ron Kim gathered with the respective mayors of Albany, Amsterdam, Schenectady and Troy to call upon Cervas to keep Saratoga Springs in NY-20 as it had been for the last 10 years.

The city of Amsterdam, Tonko’s home district was not included and will instead be in Stefanik’s NY-21 district.

In re-setting all of Saratoga County into NY-20, Stefanik’s home district of the town of Saratoga - previously been in NY-21, was shifted to Tonko’s NY-20 district.

The Constitution requires members of the House live in the state they represent, though not necessarily in the same district.

Ballston Spa To Discuss Economic Development June 2

BALLSTON SPA — The Village of Ballston Spa’s Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee will meet twice during the month of June to examine economic considerations regarding the village. The meetings will be held 7 p.m. on the first and fourth Thursdays of the month, June 2 and June 23, at the Saratoga County Office Building at 50 West High St.

The committee will review the data and recommendations set forth in the 2020 Next Wave Communities Economic Development Plan which was undertaken by the Village of Ballston Spa in partnership with the Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership, the county’s former economic development entity. There will be an examination of the effects on the local economy from various factors, such as proximity to Saratoga Springs and neighboring townships, parking constraints, home businesses and short-term rental situations and social media influences.

The committee will discuss the roles of the village and other entities as economic coordinators and promoters, improving the downtown experience and climate change effects on demographics and markets. Ultimately, the goal is to consolidate the most essential recommendations into the village’s comprehensive plan.

All meetings are open to the public, who are encouraged to attend either in-person or via Zoom and provide input. Zoom link will be available prior to each meeting at www.villageofballstonspa.org/ comprehensive-plan-steeringcommittee.

For more information, contact steering committee chairperson Karen Martell at karenmartell27@ gmail.com or the Village Office at 518 885-5711, villageclerk@ villageofballstonspa.org