Parking issues in Saratoga have been a hot topic of discussion for quite some time. A multi-level parking garage was in the works on High Rock Avenue, but the plan was halted earlier this year because of two lawsuits, which are still ongoing.
Last month, Saratoga began discussing paid parking options, in addition to shuttles, efficiency studies, and any other possible resources.
The discussion is now in full swing again, as a prominent area company looks into merging two of its offices to one Saratoga location. The city is investigating the possibility of a parking deck to accommodate hundreds of new employees to Saratoga, and the site has been approved.
The Ayco Company, a financial services firm owned by Goldman Sachs, is considering consolidating its Albany and Saratoga branches to the Saratoga office. If the branches merge, Ayco would increase from about 200 employees to 1,000. Clearly, parking would be a huge problem.
The parking deck would be constructed at the southern end of the downtown zone, near the Ayco office and the Embassy Suites hotel. Although the site has been approved, nothing has been built yet, and conversations about the parking deck are still ongoing.
“This is non-binding in every way,” City Finance Commissioner Michele Madigan told The Daily Gazette. “At this point we are only showing an interest to move forward to discuss and investigate the potential options for constructing and maintaining a shared parking structure that I do believe could have good public benefit.”
Indeed, according to Mayor Joanne Yepsen, this parking deck may actually be available for public use during non-business hours; the Embassy Suites would possibly be able to utilize this parking deck as well.
In addition to extra parking spaces – albeit spaces that can only be used by Ayco employees during business hours – the parking deck would presumably boost Saratoga’s economy with hundreds of extra jobs in the city; Yepsen indicates the parking deck is part of a large package of economic incentives. This deck could be a huge advantage for everyone.
In the meantime, if you’re looking for parking in Saratoga, check out what parking garages and lots are currently available.
Sources:
- The Daily Gazette: New parking deck in Saratoga Springs a possibility
