City Center: The Financial Costs of the Pandemic

BALLSTON SPA — The Saratoga Springs City Center saw a revenue decline of $1.6 million during the past 15 months as a result of the pandemic. 

In a letter sent by former and current members of the City Center Authority leadership to the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors this week, the City Center, which has been largely closed since March 2020, saw a reduction in earned revenue from the rental of its facility of just over $900,000 following the implementation of state protocols limiting the size of indoor events.   

Additionally, the venue saw a drop of nearly $700,000 in its share of city and county occupancy tax revenue, compared to the previous year.     

The letter requests the Board of Supervisors consider using a portion of American Rescue Plan Recovery Funds allocated to the county to help the City Center recover from the losses experienced due to the pandemic. 

The letter, dated June 1, was read during the Board of Supervisors monthly meeting on June 15.