Adirondack Aquatic Center (AAC) has received its first $1 million pledge from an anonymous donor, marking the largest contribution to date toward the proposed $22 million, 80,000-square-foot facility.

A local group plans to build such a center  along the health and wellness corridor located off of Route 67 in Malta. The property is located across the street from Malta Urgent Care.

“This pledge brings us closer to realizing our dream—to build a state-of-the-art aquatic facility that community members and visitors can utilize for years to come for recreational and wellness, therapeutic and competitive training purposes,” said Kara Haraden, president of the AAC board of directors.

“This $1 million donation will make a big splash in the efforts to build the Adirondack Aquatic Center and bring all of the positive economic impacts it would entail to the town of Malta and to the place where all good things emanate, the 49th State Senate District,” said state Sen. Jim Tedisco.

AAC representatives said an official fundraising campaign will kick off in 2018. The board of directors is seeking both public and private sector funds.

“This facility will provide a substantial economic benefit to Saratoga County and the entire region,” said Dennis A. Brobston, president, Saratoga Economic Development Corp.  “Aquatic competitions and events will bring an estimated $20 to $30 million to the area annually.”

By Maureen Werther

In a region where new office buildings, apartments, condos and mixed-use structures are rapidly taking over the landscape, there are still residents and business people committed to restoring and stewarding the buildings that are part of the rich culture of the region.

In 1904 a stately brick building was erected at 153 Regent St., just a few blocks east of Broadway, to house the YWCA. The building was later purchased by Skidmore College and became part of its downtown campus, serving as a student union and a gymnasium.

It remained part of the campus until Skidmore migrated north, leaving the Regent Street building to sit idle, gradually falling into disrepair. Sometime in the early to mid-1970s, the city of Saratoga approached a local businessman and asked him if he would buy the property and refurbish it. He agreed, provided the city would allow unrestricted use of the building. He also required that those terms would be transferable to successive owners.

When Dorothy Rogers-Bullis and her husband, Dan Bullis, bought the building in 2013, the building had changed ownership multiple times. The couple, who own drb Business Interiors—a commercial design and furniture business—thought it would be a good place to showcase their office designs.

They immediately began the renovation process, “and we haven’t stopped,” said Rogers-Bullis. The first job they tackled was the roof.

“Water poured into the building every time it rained,” she said. Walls, flooring all had to be ripped out and re-constructed. The entire plumbing, electrical and HVAC systems had to be replaced. The couple acted as general contractors and designed the entire building themselves.

“That’s what drb Business Interiors does. We know how to design and build business spaces,” said Rogers-Bullis.

By Maureen Werther and R.J. DeLuke

With the Adelphi Hotel on Broadway in Saratoga Springs open, Richbell Capital, which owns the hotel, is turning its attention to another project, just around the corner at 19 Washington St.

The Washington Street Hotel & Spa will be a six-story hotel, operated separately from the Adelphi. According to plans filed with the city Planning Department, the proposal calls for  50 rooms, a spa, indoor pool and outdoor patio. The former stone rectory ton the property will be converted into a guest suite and connected to the main building by a one-story corridor.

Simon Mildé, Richbell CEO, said the project has been well-received so far and he is anticipating work to begin in October 2018.

The project will be constructed in a single phase. The opening of the hotel and spa is planned for the summer of 2019, the plans state.

The project will result in approximately 16 new permanent jobs. Six new employees will be required to support the spa. Ten new hotel employees will be added to support the hotel: four front desk staff, four cleaning staff and two valet attendants.

According to the plans, the project includes 99 feet of frontage along Washington Street. An existing stone wall currently runs at the back of the sidewalk along this frontage, with openings for the walkway to the front door of the stone house and the existing driveway. The wall will be dismantled from the driveway opening to the eastern property corner, which will provide space for a one-way U-shaped driveway for guest drop-off.

By Jill Nagy

The Henry Street Taproom at 86 Henry St. in Saratoga Springs has expanded its dining area into space next door formerly occupied by Pizza Works.

They have also expanded their kitchen and added a patio dining area and two fireplaces. The resulting establishment is about twice the size of the previous space.

Ryan McFadden, proprietor of the taproom, said that things are “going really well,” a few weeks after opening the new space. The expansion allows them to host private parties, he said, and to expand their food menu.

“It’s a more comfortable space,” he said.

Chef Matthew Weeks will have a new menu ready in early November. McFadden did not yet have the details, but he does expect double-patty burgers to be a feature in it.