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SARATOGA SPRINGS — Challenges of the past, prosperity and hope for the future.
City Mayor Ron Kim delivered Saratoga Springs 2023 State of The City Address Feb. 3 at Saratoga Music Hall.
“This is the Year of the Rabbit,” said Kim, the first Asian American city mayor in New York State, one month into his second year in office and one week after celebrating the Lunar New Year. “In Asian culture, the rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace and prosperity and 2023 has been designated A Year of Hope,” he said.
“While Saratoga Springs has some challenges, the State of the City is strong, its people and businesses are vibrant and 2023 can be a year of continued prosperity and hope.”
Infrastructure-wise, the city is nearing completion of a long-awaited third fire station; final designs have been approved and implementation begun on a comprehensive “missing sidewalks” program throughout Saratoga Springs, Kim said.
This month, the first public hearing is anticipated take place with neighbors living in the western part of the city, tasked with the ultimate goal of developing a design for a multi-use trail on Grand Avenue that will connect the West Side. Additionally, a “destination” playground is anticipated to soon undergo development at Veterans Memorial Park, as is an undertaking of a comprehensive rehab at the city’s Waterfront Park on Saratoga Lake.
Calling 2023 the year that the city makes great stride towards a carbon neutral future, the mayor informed that the city will create a Climate Action & Resiliency Plan.
“Just in the last few days, the Mayor’s Office obtained a Climate Smart Grant for $37,500 to review the city’s carbon footprint and develop strategies to reach carbon neutrality,” Kim said. “This grant will allow the city to assess where it can reduce its carbon footprint so we can move to a carbon less and eventually carbon neutral future by 2030.”
Regarding affordable housing, Kim referenced a recent partnership struck with Putnam Resources LLC on a proposed project at a brownfield site opposite the Saratoga Springs Public Library; a 200-unit Liberty Affordable Housing project adjacent to Saratoga Casino currently under review by the city’s Land Use Boards, and a pair of ongoing construction projects on the west side anticipated to add 202 housing units at Tait Lane.
“The city not only needs to improve its affordable housing options, but also must offer shelter for its homeless residents. In June, I held the first Mayor’s forum on Homelessness at the City Center,” Kim said. “In addition, my offices supported the successful ‘member-item’ funding effort by Congressman Paul Tonko to build a $2 million dollar Homelessness Day Center at RISE facilities.
“Currently, the city’s homeless take refuge during a major portion of the year in one of the city’s garages on Woodlawn. Not only is this inhumane, it is dangerous for residents, visitors and the homeless,” Kim said. “To remedy this situation and establish a long-term strategy, I am forming a Task Force on Homelessness with the goal of selecting a permanent site for a shelter and navigation center by Fall of 2023.”
