Developers submit parking proposals in Saratoga Springs

PHOTOGRAPHER: Ned Campbell

Two developers have submitted proposals to redevelop the city-owned parking lots off High Rock and Maple avenues, giving city leaders two alternatives to the controversial Saratoga Springs City Center parking garage proposal.

Plans for the $10 million, 500-space garage were introduced three years ago and have faced strong opposition from residents concerned about the building’s design. The Saratoga Springs City Center Authority’s plans include a five-story garage that would connect to the center via elevated walkway and be used by guests and the public.

Paramount Realty Group and Sequence Development each submitted proposals after Mayor Joanne Yepsen sought alternatives through an RFP process this past summer. The proposals were opened at 2 p.m. Tuesday in City Hall and will be reviewed by Yepsen and the City Council.

“I haven’t looked at them, but I’m looking forward to reviewing them closely and putting together a review committee to identify whether or not these meet the needs of the City Center and the overall city needs,” Yepsen said.

Jeff Buell of the Troy-based Sequence Development said his team of investors was offering $2.6 million for the land and planned to invest “north of $80 million” in the property.

“We’re putting together a team and as a whole, that team believes that that site can and should be more than a parking garage,” he said. “And so we’re targeting that site for a mixed-use development that has a significant amount of parking, but also features residential office and retail uses.”

Yepsen did not have further details on the plans, but did say that the city’s RFP required a minimum of 600 parking spots — more than the Saratoga Springs City Center Authority’s proposal.

“These would not have been submitted or filed with the accounts office of the city clerk today had they not met those specs,” she said.

The request sought mixed-used development, “and we kept the RFP pretty general on purpose because we wanted some creative ideas on what we could do,” the mayor said.

Reach Gazette reporter Ned Campbell at 395-3134, [email protected] or @nedcampbell on Twitter.