Category Archives: Construction

Witt Construction Plans ‘Downton Walk,’ Condos On The East Side Of Saratoga Springs

May 3, 2018May 21, 2018

This is a rendition of Downton Walk, a condominium neighborhood to be developed by Witt Construction at 27 Jumel Place in Saratoga Springs.
Courtesy Witt Construction

**Project Name Corrected May 21, 2018**

By Maureen Werther

Witt Construction is getting ready to begin construction on a new project, Downton Walk, in Saratoga Springs. The condominium project at 27 Jumel Place includes seven upscale English-style homes that will offer privacy combined with a feeling of community, according to the company.

The parcel, which was cleared last year, was formerly home to a small manufacturing facility and a ballet studio with apartments.

The intimate cluster of seven homes will be situated on one parcel of land, offering the feel of a small, intimate neighborhood enclave, but with the advantage of private yards. The homes will range in size from 2,000 to 4,000 square feet, with an abundance of optional spaces that could be used for such things as additional bedrooms, entertainment areas, gyms, wine cellars or lower level garages.

Teakwood Builders Will Move Its Offices Into Building It Is Renovating On Church Street

May 3, 2018May 4, 2018

This is a rendering of what the new headquarters of Teakwood Builders will look like at 75 Church St. in Saratoga Springs. The work is expected to be completed by August.
Courtesy Teakwood Builders

By Maureen Werther

Teakwood Home Builders is about half way through its renovation and expansion of the 1940s-style box garage and former home of Mangione Locksmiths at 75 Church St. in Saratoga Springs.

When it is complete, the building will serve as headquarters and showroom for the company. But it will also be an homage to an industrial age style of architecture that has faded from the landscape in this part of the country, the company said.

Jim Sasko, owner and president of Teakwood Builders, said he conducted in-depth research into the history of the architectural style of the 1940s box-style garages. The typical design consisted of two overhead doors with a glass front that wrapped around one corner of the structure.

180 Acres In Clifton Park To Become A Tech Park With Ready-To-Build Commercial Space

February 9, 2018

Saratoga Economic Development Corp. (SEDC) unveiled in January plans for a new tech park that will add over 1 million square feet of ready-to-occupy commercial space for priority business sector uses.

The 180-plus acre site—called Synergy Tech Park—is one mile south of Northway Exit 10, bordered by Route 9 on the east, Kinns Road to the south and the Northway to the west.

Development will start this year. The announcement was made at SEDC’s annual member investor meeting marking its 40th anniversary year.

Officials said MJ Properties of Clifton Park is the developer, led by its president, Mark Rekucki. SEDC will collaborate with the Clifton Park Industrial Development Agency on incentives to help attract growth businesses.

SEDC and MJ Properties will co-promote the newly developed space to strategic commercial office, professional services and light industrial users. Some 405,000 square feet of proposed new space is already approved for commercial use and MJ Properties is pursing approval of an additional 600,000 square feet.

Construction At Hattie’s Patio Is Complete; New Look Fashioned By Sue Waldron Designs

May 5, 2017May 15, 2018

The popular patio bar in the rear section of Hattie’s Restaurant was renovated this spring.
Courtesy Hattie’s

Hattie’s Restaurant has finished construction of its renovated patio and re-opened it on May 3.

Owners Jason and Beth Alexander decided it was time for the back patio to get a face-lift.

“The swamp, as some lovingly call the patio, was in much need of some TLC,” said Beth. The bar was built years ago by former owner Colin MacLean by using banquet tables as a bar top. “It was a great idea and it has served us well, but it was time for a change”

With construction going on around them—including renovations at the neighboring Caffe Lena and construction of apartments at the corner of Phila and Henry streets—the Alexanders decided that the time was right to upgrade their back yard.

They hired long-time customer Matt Geleta to build the bar, past Hattie’s employee Sue Waldron of Sue Waldron Designs to work on the design and Patrick Coffey of IQ contracting as the contractor.

Witt Construction To Build 31 Homes On Acreage That Provide Views Of Saratoga Lake

May 5, 2017May 8, 2017

The light sections of this aerial-wiew rendition shows where Witt Construction plans to build new homes near Saratoga Lake. Much of the 111-acre property will remain undeveloped.
Courtesy Witt Construction

By Jill Nagy

Witt Construction Inc. in Saratoga Springs is planning a 32-lot housing subdivision on a about 111 acres of land on Saratoga Lake.

Termed a “conservation subdivision” by John Witt, company president, it will be comprised of 31 new houses clustered on 58 acres of the lot.

A pre-existing farmhouse and land for a “gentleman’s farm” will be the 32nd lot. He said. The rest of the land will be undisturbed woodland, open space or wetlands.

Called Cedar Bluff Farm, the subdivision will be accessible from Route 9P via Cedar Bluff Road (County Route 71) and from Trombley Road. Most of the houses will be on Hill Road, which ends in a cul-de-sac, and on Trombley Road, said Witt.

Cedar Bluff Road connects Route 9P and Trombley Road.

Structural Steel Contractors Need A Growing Labor Force To Meet The Demands In Their Industry

May 5, 2017May 5, 2017

Dino B. Benedict is the New York business manager for Midwest Steel and Erika Ozols, project management administrator, pose at the company’s Ballston Spa site.
©2017 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Susan E. Campbell

The structural steel contracting industry is going so strong that one area professional foresees excellent employment opportunities for skilled ironworkers in the next few years.

Dino B. Benedict is the New York business manager for Midwest Steel. Headquartered in Detroit, the firm also has offices in Muncie, Ind., Orlando, Fla., and Ballston Spa.

In Saratoga County, it’s common to see a bridge, stadium, airport or other structures where Midwest Steel played a role in steel construction, precast concrete, or both.

“It is not typical in the industry for a company that erects the steel skeleton of a building to also form the concrete slabs that enclose that skeleton,” said Benedict.

Benedict said that some local projects include Samaritan Hospital, Rivers Casino, the ZEN building at SUNY Polytech, and GlobalFoundries. Business growth is so healthy in New York and the New England states that he predicts a shortage of welders, steel workers and other qualified laborers soon.

“It is a great time for young people out of high school to contact local unions about apprenticeship programs,” he said.

Whenever Midwest Steel takes on a project in the U.S. or Canada, the first step is for the project supervisor to meet with local union officials to discuss the scope of the project and manpower needs.

Growing Staff At CLA SITE Engineering Firm Leads To Move Into New, Larger Office Space

July 7, 2016November 8, 2017

Peter Loyola, left, poses with his staff in the new offices of his company, CLA SITE Landscape Architecture, Engineering & Planning PC. The firm moved to Church Street in Saratoga Springs.

Courtesy CLA SITE

By Maureen Werther

CLA SITE Landscape Architecture, Engineering & Planning PC has moved its offices.

CLA SITE recently relocated its offices from 157 Lake Ave. to 58 Church St. in Saratoga Springs.

CLA SITE has been in business for 19 years, starting as a site landscape architectural and planning firm and adding the civil engineering component in 2004.

Peter Loyola, RLA, principal landscape architect, said that the timing was right and the company needed more space to accommodate a growing staff. The firm has grown from two employees to seven.

The team performs work throughout the state and recent projects include upgrading the infrastructure and construction of a main lodge and amphitheater at Camp Walden in Diamond Point. The company also completed a waterfront improvement project there.

The move also coincides with its recent designation as a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) in August 2015.

“There is a huge need for MBE firms in engineering and planning,” said Loyola. “One of the main questions we were asked during the final interview phase of the certification application was, ‘Why have you waited so long to do it?'”

State Makes $59M In Grants Available For Home Rehab, Improvement, Construction

June 8, 2016November 8, 2017

New York state has made $59 million available to construct, rehabilitate, and improve the homes of income-eligible families.

“Every New Yorker deserves a safe, affordable and decent place to call home and with this funding we are taking one more step toward that goal,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “This program will help build safer, healthier communities throughout this state and I encourage any eligible organization to apply.”

Funding is available through the state Homes and Community Renewal’s Affordable Home Ownership Development Program, administered by the Affordable Housing Corp., which provides up to $40,000 per dwelling to eligible municipalities, municipal housing authorities, and other nonprofit and charitable organizations that develop affordable housing or assist homeowners in funding necessary repairs.

James S. Rubin, commissioner of Homes and Community Renewal, said the program has made nearly 300 Affordable Housing Corp. awards totaling approximately $141 million. “These funds have created or improved more than 7,500 safe affordable homes across the state. We encourage eligible applicants to apply,” he said.

Officials said AHODP funds will promote homeownership and revitalize communities by:

• Constructing new owner-occupied homes for sale, including single and multi-family homes, condominiums, or cooperatives, and the replacement of dilapidated mobile and manufactured homes. AHC funds may be used for construction financing, permanent financing, infrastructure improvements, site acquisition, down payment and closing cost assistance, and the replacement of dilapidated mobile homes with manufactured or stick-built homes on homeowner-owned land.

15 Contractors Are Set For Showcase Of Homes

June 8, 2016November 8, 2017

The 2016 Saratoga Showcase of Homes Committee has a line-up of 15 builders in place to participate in its annual Showcase of Homes event.

Celebrating 21 years, the annual fall tradition will run over the three weekends of Sept. 17-18, Sept. 24-25 and Oct. 1-2.

Builders committed to this year’s event are Amedore Homes, Bella Home Builders, Barbera Homes, Belmonte Builders, Blitman Development, Bonacio Construction, Caruso Home Builders, Herbinger Construction, Heritage Custom Builders, LaFemme Home Builders, Malta Development, McPadden Builders, Saratoga Builders, Terrace Homebuilders and Witt Construction.

Officials said 20 or more new home locations will be on display in Saratoga County. Tickets to visit these homes will remain at $20.

There will also be a “Taste of Showcase” preview on Friday, Sept. 16. It will be held at selected homes 5-10 p.m. and feature food samplings from area chefs along with local craft beer and wine tastings.

Construction Of Solar Project In Halfmoon Is First 'Shared Renewables' Project In NY State

May 5, 2016November 8, 2017

Solar panels like these in Halfmoon can help reduce energy bills for some residents.

Courtesy Clean Energy Collective

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), state Department of Public Service (DPS), EnterSolar and Clean Energy Collective (CEC) began a collaborative project in April involving construction of the first Shared Renewables community solar project in New York state.

The project is taking place in Halfmoon.

State officials said the project advances the goals of the state’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) strategy to build a clean, resilient and affordable energy system by helping to make clean energy a possible choice for more residents.

The success of REV depends on communities taking charge of their own energy as New York increases the growth of electricity generation at customer sites to supplement power generated at central power plants, NYSERDA officials said.

The announcement was made at the groundbreaking for the project April 27 in Halfmoon.

The Halfmoon Community Solar Project will feed solar energy to the grid operated by New York State Electric & Gas Corp. (NYSEG) and will allow more than 100 residential customers in NYSEG’s Capital Region territory (parts of Columbia, Essex, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Washington counties), including low-income residents, to participate in local clean power generation and save money on their electricity bills.