Ballston Spa trustees hear BOA-funded revitalization plan, timeline calls for state BOA designation before June

Norbel Greenberger, a senior planner with Lavela Associates, presented the draft Revitalize Ballston Spa plan to the village trustees on Feb. 8, saying "90% of the costs are being covered through a grant from the Department of State" under the Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) program. Greenberger said the plan covers a study area north along Route 50 and west of Milton Avenue, includes seven strategic sites and a set of supporting policy recommendations, and builds on prior village planning work.

The plan’s draft vision calls for "a vibrant, connected community that honors its historic charm while embracing thoughtful growth and innovation," and Greenberger summarized five goals that guide recommendations: revitalizing vacant and underutilized properties; enhancing downtown vitality; improving infrastructure and connectivity; expanding housing options; and celebrating natural and cultural resources. She described a multi-step public process that began in September 2024, included a public survey and workshops, and featured targeted outreach to property owners and a project advisory committee.

Consultant recommendations focused on site- and area-scale interventions. Key sites highlighted include the Ocean State Job Lot parcel at the village’s northern gateway, where Greenberger said infill closer to a streetwall could extend downtown’s walkable character; the Ricketts property, where temporary fence art has been installed and long-term ideas include hospitality uses; a bowling-alley site on Bath Street envisioned for mixed-use development with ground-floor commercial and upper-floor residential; and a large former nursing-home parcel where concept 'cottage court' housing aligns with the comprehensive plan. For the downtown extension, the plan proposes bridge and wayfinding improvements, pedestrian infrastructure upgrades on Hamilton Street, and a "legacy walking trail" linking downtown assets with signage and QR codes.

Beyond physical changes, the draft includes programmatic steps: incentives for adaptive reuse and historic rehabilitation (including pursuing programs such as New York Main Street and New York Forward), a marketing inventory of available sites, streamlining permitting and regulatory clarity (the village is already pursuing a zoning update), and establishing infrastructure standards so small businesses are not burdened with major utility extensions.

Greenberger said the draft plan was posted on the project website about a week before the meeting and described the next steps: solicit board and public feedback, finalize the plan for village-board adoption, and submit an adoption/designation package to the New York Department of State. She urged the village to target BOA designation before June to make the community eligible for the BOA program's summer grant opportunity.

Trustees thanked the consultant and committee members and asked that any follow-up questions be submitted by email or raised during the second public-comment period. The board did not take immediate action to adopt the plan at the Feb. 8 meeting; Greenberger said the plan will return for adoption after public feedback.

The village website and the RevitalizeBallstonSpa project page host the draft plan and materials for public review.