Category Archives: Construction

Landscaping Companies Keep Busy While Banned From New, Larger Projects For Now

May 7, 2020May 8, 2020

Richard Kessinger’s Saratoga Lawn Maintenance LLC has been busy with lawn mowing jobs this spring. He says he may try to hire another employee later in the season.

By Jill Nagy
Pandemic or no pandemic, the grass keeps growing and people are in need of landscaping services this time of year. But landscapers are not immune to problems brought about by the COVID-19 crisis.
Government guidelines allow them to do routine maintenance work, but no major undertakings like landscaping and hardscaping (patios, walks, and the like) or anything purely cosmetic. They can clean things up, but not install mulch and no new planting is allowed.
For Brian Phillips and his company, The Lawn Guy Landscape Management LLC in Saratoga Springs, landscaping and hardscaping is usually the bulk of his business.
“I’m losing time and time is money,” he said.
He is holding deposits from customers from last February and has projects booked into July. He estimates that he had lost some $50,000-60,000 worth of work over a six-week period.
Aside from that, Phillips said, “We are busy. We’re doing rather well” with the basic work. But, “Things are certainly different.”

Remodeling Of Kitchens And Bathrooms, Adding Space, Is Common In Area Homes

May 9, 2019May 9, 2019

Bob West is the president of Old Saratoga Restoration in Saratoga Springs.
©2019 Saratoga Photographer.com

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.”

Group Plans To Build Apartment Complex At Clifton Park Center Road And Wall Street

May 9, 2019May 9, 2019

This is a rendering of an apartment building to be built in Clifton Park by Atrium Properties. It will have 39 one- and two-bedroom apartments.
©2019 Saratoga Photographer.com

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.

Construction Of Albany Medical Center’s New Clifton Park Medical Complex To Begin

May 9, 2019May 9, 2019

This is a rendering of the Albany Medical Center complex that will be built on Route 146 in Clifton Park. The 14,400-square-foot office complex is expected to open in October.
Courtesy Albany Medical Center

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.

State Gives Funds For Spa State Park Projects

May 9, 2019May 9, 2019

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.

Saratoga City Center Getting Closer To Building Its Long-Awaited Parking Garage

May 9, 2019May 9, 2019

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.

Fasig-Tipton Thoroughbred Auction Group Building New Barn For Annual Horse Sales

July 5, 2018July 6, 2018

Construction is underway on barn like this one near the Fasig-Tipton auction facility off East Avenue. The new 2,580 square-foot barn will house high-end yearlings, the company said.

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.

Computers Alter How Engineering Company Works, But Demand Keeping Up With New IT

July 5, 2018July 6, 2018

A staffer at C.T. Male Associates uses new drone technology for surveying.
©2018 Saratoga Photographer.com

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.

Business Report: 5 Construction Contract Considerations

July 5, 2018July 6, 2018

John Frega, Esq., is an attorney with Bond, Schoeneck & King. Courtesy Bond Schoeneck& King

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).

Bonacio Construction Purchases Building That Once Housed Stark’s Auto On Excelsior Ave.

July 5, 2018July 6, 2018

Bonacio Construction purchased the former Stark’s Auto property on Excelsior Avenue.
©2018 Saratoga Photographer.com

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.