Universal Preservation Hall poised to be community living room for Saratoga Springs

SARATOGA SPRINGS—Long-anticipated renovation and construction on Universal Preservation Hall will begin soon, following New York State’s announcement on Monday of a $750,000 Restore New York Communities Initiative grant to the City of Saratoga Springs through Empire State Development.

“We thank Governor Cuomo, Mayor Meg Kelly and Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Finance Michele Madigan for this auspicious award, and for deeming UPH worthy of such investment,” says UPH Campaign Director Teddy Foster. “Our transformation from 19^th century High Victorian Gothic church to state-of-the-art performance facility will be nothing short of amazing.”

On completion in 2019, UPH, at 25 Washington Street, will combine a 700-seat theatre-in-the-round Great Hall with a community event space, offering year-round music and entertainment in downtown Saratoga Springs. Administrative offices, glass atrium and an elevator for increased accessibility are included in the plan.

Renovation will support an estimated 101 local jobs and have a $6.1 million impact on the local economy in its first year, according to the Capital District Regional Planning Commission.

“The city is experiencing such growth,” says Proctors CEO Philip Morris. “UPH will be an important part of its, and the region’s, cultural and economic life. Part of our philosophy is to bring people together and UPH will now become a community living room for Saratoga.”

The restored UPH, an $8.7 million project, will serve an estimated 65,000 visitors per year, with a $3.5 million annual economic impact.

The project remains in active fundraising mode.