Saratoga Springs approves Still Ridge agreement to build city entry monument, will issue RFP

The Saratoga Springs City Council approved a development agreement on June 17 with developers of the Still Ridge project to construct a city entry monument on the southwest corner of Riverside Drive and Crossroads Boulevard.

Under the agreement the city and the developer will share responsibility for design, construction budgeting and future maintenance; staff said specific maintenance obligations will be finalized when a project design is brought forward. The council directed staff to issue a request for proposals (RFP) to solicit designs and construction bids and recommended that the review committee include city staff, two council members and representatives of the Still Ridge development.

Staff described design expectations for the monument: artwork and materials should reflect Saratoga Springs’ heritage and natural landscape, be durable and weather resistant, and may incorporate local wildlife motifs (staff suggested elements such as a heron). The RFP will ask proposers to prepare design guidelines so future monuments across the city can follow consistent standards.

Staff stated a project budget during the presentation; the transcript recorded the figure as "310,138" (staff phrasing was garbled in the recording). The city said that amount, combined with funds previously budgeted by the developer for a smaller monument, will be included in the RFP. The council approved the agreement with staff findings and conditions; the motion carried unanimously.

Next steps: staff will issue the RFP, assemble the review committee, evaluate proposals and return a design recommendation to the council for final approval.