The $220,000 staircase being constructed at City Hall will undoubtedly improve the appearance of the 137-year-old building, but not everyone is smiling about it.

The project, which isn’t scheduled to be completed until late June, has North Broadway businesses upset because of the poor timing. After a rough winter, the businesses were finally ready for customers when construction started.

The new staircase will undoubtedly heighten the appearance of the facility when work is completed. The project is expected to be finished in time for the start of the Saratoga Race Course season on July 23.

Nonetheless, the blockade which has formed in front of the building due to the construction has caused concerns for businesses located on the section of Broadway north of the construction zone.

Cathy Burniche, owner of Speck Boutique at 510 Broadway, said it has been tough for her business since construction began. “The blockade makes it hard for anyone to see the businesses located north of the construction zone - especially for people visiting Saratoga Springs who might not know the stores exist,” Burniche said.

Burniche tried to raise awareness for her business by moving the store’s sandwich board closer the roadside, but the city forced her to move the board back in front of her shop because the sign was in violation of a city ordinance which states sandwich boards cannot be more than 30 inches from storefronts.

“It’s just a bad situation all the way around,” Burniche said.

Paula Reardon, wife of John Reardon, owner of Compliments to the Chef, said the blockade is a deterrent to people window shopping along Broadway because once they see the blockade they often times turn back.

Reardon acknowledged the business name plates are positioned on the south end of Broadway, but said they were not enough to make people aware of the businesses located north of the construction zone. She said something like a temporary signage marker might help to make people aware of the businesses.  

Commissioner of Public Works Skip Scirocco said there are adequate walkways in place that lead to the north end of Broadway and he does not expect the construction zone to affect the businesses. Either way something had to be done about the steps because they were in violation of city codes not to mention being a safety hazard, Scirocco said.

Gamen Construction, the company in charge of the project, started demolition on the steps on Monday, April 21 and has since completed the first phase of the project which will reconstruct the steps to mirror the building’s original staircase.

According to Scirocco, the steps have been repaired numerous times over the past five years, but kept falling apart and something had to be done about them to ensure their safety and stability for the future. The old stairs were in violation of city code and also created a safety issue, Scirocco said.

City Hall was completed in 1871 and the original design featured wide, square steps facing Broadway. The stairs were topped off with two lion sculptures on each side of the staircase. The statues had been relocated to the city’s recreation fields, but were recently sent to the city’s DPW garage where they have since been refurbished in order to be placed back in their original position in front of City Hall.

Scirocco said the city’s goal is to restore the stairs to their original appearance while adding new features like granite steps, bronze handrails and heated coils which will be placed in the steps and throughout parts of the surrounding sidewalk to help melt snow and ice during the winter months.

“We looked at them and thought why not put the stairs back to how they were originally designed,” Scirocco said. “Then we thought with the new trend being to go green we would

make it an environmentally friendly project by placing heated coils in the steps and a portion of the sidewalk so we could avoid using salt that led to the deterioration of the current steps.”

Aside from the fears of area businesses, another concern over the project is the $220,000 price tag placed on its construction. Scirocco said he feels the steps are more than worth it and that when completed they will be something residents can be proud of.

A majority of the Funds for the project have been allocated thorough the Capital budget, but additional money will be supplied through a budget transfer. Scirocco expects the construction to be completed in six to eight weeks, weather permitting, which could mean more frustration for Broadway businesses owners.