By Jill Nagy
Many people who buy a house in Saratoga Springs decide to change it: things like redoing the kitchen or bathroom, add a master bedroom suite, or turning the backyard into an outdoor family room.
Bob West, president of Old Saratoga Restoration, speculated that it is almost inevitable. “People want to be in town,” he said, and “the housing stock is quite old. Most houses require work.”
By Susan E. Campbell
Atrium Properties expects to break ground this summer on an as-yet unnamed apartment complex in Clifton Park, according to Jacqueline Phillips Murray, Esq., a principal of the firm.
Ground was broken April 29 for the construction of Albany Medical Center’s new medical complex in Clifton Park.
The 14,400-square-foot medical office complex, expected to open in October, will be located just west of Shenendehowa High School at 989 Route 146 in Clifton Park. Officials said it and will house an Albany Med EmUrgentCare, a newly renovated and expanded satellite office for orthopaedic specialists with The Bone and Joint Center, and other medical tenants.
The enacted New York state budget includes $110 million in capital funding to continue the NY Parks 2020 initiative to revitalize the state’s flagship parks and support critical infrastructure projects, including more than $2 million for two projects in Saratoga Spa State Park.
By Christine Graf
The Saratoga City Center is awaiting final approval from the city to build Flat Rock Center, a 600-space parking garage.
The move would end a long debate as to what to do with the property and how to provide more parking for the center.
City Center executive director Ryan McMahon said the approximately $15 million, project would be paid for through the center’s budget.
By Maureen Werther
Construction is underway on new 2,580 square-foot barn being erected by the renowned thoroughbred auction company Fasig-Tipton.
The barn is being built on the corner of Case and George streets in Saratoga Springs, not far from Saratoga Race Course. The project is being managed by the LA Group. Officials said it will be ready for use at the 2018 yearling sales this summer.
The barn will contain 19 stalls and the building will compliment the existing structures across the street. The plans also call for sidewalks, street lights, trees and decorative fencing on the 0.43-acre lot owned by Fasig-Tipton.
By Jill Nagy
“We can do a site inspection without leaving our desk” and drafting no longer requires pencil and paper or the dreaded drafting pen, said Ed Garrigan, the president of C.T. Male Associates, about the impact of new technology on his field of engineering and surveying.
“Some old-school people like me” still sketch on paper now and then, he aid. But he remains enthusiastic about the “amazing” changes he has seen in his profession and his company, largely in the last five to 10 years.
“It’s a challenge to keep up,” he said.
In order to do so, the company has committees to analyze new equipment and software and to train employees to use it. The company also has a separate IT department.
By John Frega, esq.
Every construction project features unique and interesting challenges. But drafting your construction contract documents should not be one of those challenges.
Here are five important matters to consider when drafting and managing your construction contracts:
1. Determine the appropriate payment model.
Owners have multiple options for structuring payments to their contractors, and choosing the appropriate payment model largely depends on the type of project. The most common models include lump sum, unit price, and time and material, not to exceed (T&M NTE).
By Maureen Werther
Sonny Bonacio, president of Bonacio Construction, has purchased the property on Excelsior Avenue in Saratoga Springs that was Stark’s Auto for some 60 years.
Bonacio said he has not yet finalized plans for the parcel at 62-64 Excelsior Ave. He purchased the property on May 25 from Sidney Stark. The purchase price was $450,000 and the deal was made through Bonacio’s real estate holding company, RR Depot LLC.
He called the purchase “a defensive move.” His company recently constructed 14 residential condominiums at Excelsior East, as well as four 1,500-square-foot commercial spaces. While 12 of the 14 condominiums have been sold, three of the four commercial spaces have not been filled as quickly as Bonacio anticipated.
**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.