Over a bottle of red and a bottle of white about a dozen folks crowded around a table at The Beekman Street Bistro on Wednesday, May 23, to discuss the future of Beekman Street.  

Meeting for the second time, the assembled Beekman Street group which is composed of business and gallery owners, restaurants, artists and residents tossed around ideas to figure out their priorities and goals. They are currently in the midst of forming a focused association.

So far, the group has come together and hammered out what they are good at, what they need to work on and what they’d like to do in the future. The next step is how to get there.

The Beekman Street group talked about coming up with a specific name and mission statement for themselves and filing for 501c3 non-profit status. The process takes between six months and a year, but would allow them to receive money that people could write off.

In addition, topics such as a budget, market research, advertising and relaying information to media sources were discussed. The conversation also hit on the creation of fun new activities like a jazz night as well as involvement in more citywide events.

Leigh Ollman, the Saratoga County Arts Council Regrant Administrator and a member of the group, believes it’s important everyone involved be on the same page. As a resident of Beekman Street, she wants to maintain the local vibe of the arts district.

“We have a louder voice as a group than as individuals,” Ollman said.

With a number of new businesses looking to open, Ollman said there are many people who want to make a serious investment in the street in addition to those who already have. She said maintaining its integrity and artsy feel is imperative.

“There’s a lot of us who believe in what it is and what it will be,” Ollman said. “I think it is part of the reason why people come to a place like Saratoga in the first place.”

Part of the challenge for the group will be figuring out exactly what it is people want from Beekman Street and what Beekman Street can provide people with. Ollman said she’d like to see it viewed as a place people want to visit and an asset to the city.

“I encourage people to check it out,” she said. “There’s great things happening and more in store. If you don’t check it out, you’ll miss it.”

Jon Haynes is a resident of Beekman Street and co-owner of the Dublin Underground building, which is currently under construction. The mixed-use building will have a pub and a tea house on the ground floor, a gallery on the second and a space for an architecture firm on the third. Haynes hopes to open sometime over the summer.

“The street has a long history as being a place where local residents hang out,” he said. “We’re looking to help visitors find their way over and for locals to make the street a part of their everyday routine.”

Saratoga Springs County Supervisor Joanne Yepsen’s involvement in the group has allowed her to combine her personal interest in art with her professional skills. Yepsen has brought with her a wealth of knowledge in areas including strategic planning, marketing, public relations and fundraising.

As an elected official Yepsen said she will act as a conduit to city, county and state for the group. She hopes to bring more traffic to an area she believes holds great value historically, culturally and economically.

“This really matters,” Yepsen said. “Neighborhoods like this are the future of the city. I’m looking forward to helping however I can.”

Yepsen hopes to bring more businesses to the street and have every building being used. She said things are moving forward, but it won’t just happen overnight.

“Keep your ears and eyes open. There’s big things happening,” she said.