The Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership is expanding its professional team with the addition of a former top official with the Office of the United States Trade Representative. 

Mary Estelle Ryckman, who spent 30 years developing trade and investment policy and negotiating international agreements in a variety of senior U.S. government positions, has joined the Saratoga Partnership as a global markets advisor, business retention and expansion specialist. In that role, she will provide critical guidance to assist businesses in addressing significant changes in U.S. policies affecting global trade. 

By Jill Nagy

After nearly three years in Glens Falls, Dizzy Chicken is shifting its restaurant operations to a newer outlet in Saratoga Springs. 

The Glens Falls site, at 72 South St., will be devoted exclusively to a catering facility.

Justin Bartlett, co-owner with his wife, Annamaria, attributed the change to a poor location and lack of parking in Glens Falls. 

“The business was not large enough to merit keeping it going,” he said. The Saratoga restaurant opened in August 2017 and is “going well,” he said, “and kind of met our expectations for the winter.” 

The state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has approved $1.75 million to rehabilitate and upgrade Saratoga Performing Arts Center’s amphitheater ramps, lighting and other high priority infrastructure as part of the recently approved state budget. 

The funds will be used to rejuvenate SPAC’s facilities for future generations, officials said.

“We celebrated SPAC’s landmark 50th anniversary in 2016 and now, as we embark on our vision for the next 50 years, we are committed to enhancing SPAC’s historic venue for 21st century audiences,” said Elizabeth Sobol, SPAC president and CEO.

Circus Smirkus, the international youth circus, returns to the outdoor soccer field at the Saratoga Casino Hotel for four performances this summer.

On July 9 and 10, families can gather as the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs presents the Circus Smirkus 2018 Big Top Tour.

This theme of this year’s circus tour is “Vaudeville!” a celebration of the grand American tradition of variety entertainment. The show will include acrobats,  magicians,  jugglers and wirewalkers.

Thirty budding stars ages 10 to 18 perform in the circue. The 2018 performance troupe, comprised of 30 troupers, come from 14 states and Canada. The show is full of talent and spectacle, with aerials, acrobatics, wire walking, juggling, clowning, live music and an array of brilliant costumes.

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will proceed with construction of a permanent building at the site of the current At the Rail tent at Saratoga Race Course.

The group received approval April 30 from the New York State Franchise Oversight Board to go ahead with the project.

The building will replace the seasonal tent and trailers located immediately adjacent to the end of the Clubhouse. It will consist of a 36,000-square foot, three-story, climate-controlled building featuring differentiated hospitality options and modern amenities, NYRA officials said. In addition to the three floors of usable space for guests, a basement level will provide space for a kitchen to service the building.

By Joe Legault

The Gideon Putnam in Saratoga Springs reopened on May 1 after major renovations that took place after it closed back in mid-January due to a water main break that caused basement flooding and damage to some of the operational and electrical systems.

Saratoga PLAN has received two state Conservation Partnership Program grants totaling $64,000.

Saratoga PLAN will utilize one grant for making capital improvements to the 25-year-old Bog Meadow Brook Nature Trail, improving access and safety, enhancing protection of adjacent wetland habitat, and furthering the Saratoga Greenbelt Trail.

This project will be supported by $10,000 in matching funds from the City of Saratoga Springs, and by donations of expertise, labor, and materials.

John Munter of Munter Enterprises was one of the engineers who worked on the trail 25 years ago, and he is back to manage the current projects. PLAN is actively recruiting volunteers to supply the manpower for much of the work.