The Plaza, the Next Big Challenge…
I sometimes reflect that restoring the Universal Preservation Hall has been a series of challenges. Keeping the building from collapsing was the first. Getting the Universal Baptist Church into its new sanctuary was another. Installing new restrooms, still another, and restoring the Great Hall yet another.
We have before us our next big challenge: The Community Plaza. This summer we received a challenge grant of $224,536 from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to do the job. Now we have to raise the money.
There’s a big incentive: Every dollar you give doubles in value! And the bigger incentive: You will improve the Washington streetscape and the front of the Universal Preservation Hall and Saratoga Springs.
Our Wonderful Board Member Mike Phinney
Many already know that Mike Phinney, the force behind Phinney Design Group, has created the plans for our Community Plaza. Mike is also helping to raise money for the Community Plaza project by presenting a Tour of Homes on Saturday, October 3rd and Sunday, October 4th from 12 Noon – 5 PM. On Sunday, there will be a reception to follow at UPH from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM.
I went on the tour last year and saw some remarkable structures. This year promises to be even better. It includes two houses in the Moss Creek development superbly crafted by Alec Stephens and three remarkable houses in Saratoga Springs: a sustainable structure on Cottage Street that features a solar heated hot water system, rainwater harvesting, drought tolerant landscaping; a modular construction house on Grand Avenue that was assembled on site in just two days; and, the one I really want to see, the renovated carriage house on Talford Place which has been restored to the character it had many years ago.
Simply put, there is no other home design show like this in the area, and this year it is really exciting. I hope everyone will be able to tour the houses and attend the reception at the Universal Preservation Hall on early Sunday evening.
Click here for event information on the upcoming Phinney Design Group Tour of Homes.