Excellence Award Spotlight: Revive 65 Phila
Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation has received a 2024 Excellence in Historic Preservation Award from the Preservation League of NYS for its grassroots “Revive 65 Phila” campaign.
SSPF Executive Director Samantha Bosshart entering 65 Phila Street for the first time.
“The rehabilitation of 65 Phila Street has been one of my proudest achievements during my tenure with the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation," said SSPF Executive Director Samantha Bosshart. “It is inspiring to see the community come together in support of this building that most had given up on.”
Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation successfully preserved 65 Phila Street, a historic property built in 1851 and later modified to the Italianate style, which had fallen into severe neglect (before and after photos of the front facade shown above). After years of advocating against demolition and working with the city to enforce property maintenance codes, the Foundation acquired the building in May 2021 with the assistance of Mark Haworth, a long-time member of the Foundation. The Foundation undertook a comprehensive rehabilitation, including environmental remediation, structural stabilization, and exterior restoration. Through monetary and in-kind donations, the "Revive 65" campaign raised over $500,000. The project, completed in 2024, removed long-standing blight, increased property tax revenue, and demonstrated the community and economic benefits of historic preservation. The property is now on the market, with proceeds going to the Foundation’s Historic Property Redevelopment Fund.
“The rehabilitation at 65 Phila Street demonstrates historic preservation in action and will hopefully inspire others to take on these types of projects,”
Community members visiting the project site while work was in progress. The person in the foreground is looking at printouts showing possible exterior paint colors.
“We were overwhelmed by the generosity of hundreds of donors and many contractors, volunteers, and suppliers who contributed their money, time, expertise, and materials, helping to revive 65 Phila Street.” said Michele Funiciello, Foundation President.
The Foundation appreciates the dedication of the Revive 65 Committee who oversaw the rehabilitation. The committee includes, Samantha Bosshart, Executive Director; Steve Dodds, an architect with Phinney Design Group; Peter Goutos, president of environmental remediation company CASmith; James Gold, retired Director of Historic Sites for New York State; Matt Hurff, architect and owner of Frost Hurff Architects; and Vincent LaTerra, Project Manager at Bonacio Construction. In addition to the committee, the project would not have been possible without the expertise of Joe Logan and Chris Bennett as well as the many volunteers.
“A project like this brings people together. From the time the owners sought to demolish 65 Phila Street until the project’s completion, people in the community rallied to preserve it,” said SSPF Executive Director Samantha Bosshart. “We were so fortunate to have so many individuals and businesses show their support by donating their time, materials, and money. The project simply would not have been possible without them.”