Saranac Lake Downtown Advisory Board approves June report, assigns follow-ups on sidewalks, bridges and Main Street grant

The Saranac Lake Downtown Advisory Board met on July 8, 2026 for a walk-and-talk in downtown Saranac Lake and approved its June monthly report. The board recorded annual goals including input on Woodruff Street plans, exploring a pedestrian sidewalk on Main Street between Church and Pine, and pursuing consultant-funded master planning for Riverside Park.

Jeremy Evans, an ex officio member, recommended conducting a topographic survey of Woodruff Street before presenting the board’s sidewalk-width options to the Village Board, noting the debate centered on choosing a 5-foot sidewalk or a 10-foot sidewalk. The board did not select a final width at the meeting and planned further work before taking the option to the Village Board.

Members noted several walk observations: recently updated crosswalks; possible upgrades to the town hall façade including sidewalks and tree grates; light-pole beautification work coordinated with National Grid and SLACAB; and a suggestion to conceal trash bins at the Dorsey Street parking lot. Delivery of Riverwalk signs was recorded with a question about how accessibility will be confirmed.

On parks and grants, staff reported work under the Boothe River grant with LaBella Engineering but said Riverside Park planning is not moving forward at this time. The group agreed to bring a Main Street façade project back in September to begin outreach to businesses and prepare a Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) grant submission for 2027.

The meeting recorded several project assignments. Jerry Michael will draft a letter for Kelly to refine and send to Franklin County requesting permission for the Village to paint the Dorsey and Woodruff Street bridges, modeled on prior paint work on Broadway Bridge. Jerry will also sketch a plan for stairs from the Berkley parking lot to the library; the material (wood or concrete) will depend on available budget. Staff was asked to post on social media to recruit a new Downtown Advisory Board member, and Mike indicated he could serve on the Community Enhancement Fund Committee after the summer.

The board circulated a 2006 Village Parking Study for members to read and closed the walk-and-talk with plans to revisit Main Street façade work in September and to prepare the CFA application timeline. No formal vote tallies or mover/second names were recorded in the meeting minutes.

The next steps identified were: conduct a topographic survey for Woodruff Street, finalize and send the Franklin County bridge-painting letter, sketch the Berkley-to-library stairs design, and begin CFA outreach in September.