How to resolve AdBlock issue? WILTON — In late January asbestos was found in the former home of The Saratogian in Saratoga Springs. An anticipated brewery and coffee shop, Whitman Brewing Company announced in early January that it had planned to use the historical spot to house this new venture. However, at the end of the demolition process, the asbestos was discovered.
Whitman Brewing Company was slated to open in June of 2019 but has been forced to postpone the opening for fall of this year. As a back-up plan, Whitman Brewing applied for a minor site application in the town of Wilton for a restaurant and brewing company on Perry Road. The property was approximately three acres. Fortunately, building owner Frank Parillo was able to assure that operations will remain at the Old Saratogian building.
“It has been an interesting journey rehabilitating the Old Saratogian building to date. In January there was asbestos found in the building unexpectedly after demolition was almost complete, rendering our project in limbo. The outcome was stretching beyond our comfort zone and we began exploring other viable options in the event the building remediation would prohibit us from moving forward on a reasonable timeline. We owe it to the employees we currently have, including our brewer, to explore all avenues. I’m happy to report with the help of Sonny Bonacio and the building owner Frank Parillo, we were able to find a positive resolution and get the project back on track with a projected fall opening,” said Shawna Jenks, the Director of Operations at Whitman Brewing.
According to the Asbestos Control Bureau of New York, the agency that oversees the reduction of toxic hazards associated with asbestos fiber during the reconstruction or demolition of buildings, in the old Saratogian building 17,000 square feet of friable asbestos was found. Friable asbestos means that it can easily crumble, and that the asbestos will be released during things like demolition.
The building is currently listed on the department of labor’s active asbestos project database. Phase one of the asbestos removal process officially began on April 1, and is expected to end in October. According to bureau documents, the contract dollar amount was $110,000 and it was paid in full. Classical Environmental Inc. based in Latham is the contracting agency.
Developer Frank Parillo bought the one-acre property in 2012 and paid $2.6 million. He still owns it. Parillo also owns the Wilton Travel Plaza truck stop and two marinas on Lake George. He is a partner in the Hampton Inn hotel and High Rock condominium complex in Saratoga Springs and the Saratoga Strike Zone.
CORRECTION: In the 4/12 issue of Saratoga TODAY, it was published that Whitman Brewing had plans to move operations to Wilton. The plans in Wilton was a back-up plan and operations will remain at the old Saratogian building in Saratoga Springs.
