STATEMENT BY TODD SHIMKUS, CHAMBER PRESIDENT
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2018 – SARATOGA SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL
 
Let me start by thanking the Mayor and the Council for your leadership in support of the City Center and the downtown economy.

When you all took office, a lot of money was being wasted on lawsuits regarding this parcel. You brought all the parties together and reached a reasonable, practical and doable solution - - the Flat Rock Park Centre.

This should be celebrated.

Figuring out what unites us is important.

We all agree the City Center is an engine for our downtown’s economy.

We all agree that one of the things that makes Saratoga’s downtown so vibrant is the many local independently owned stores and restaurants you can only find here.

We also agree that Saratoga should be accessible. Everyone is welcome.

This means, we need to help people get downtown whether they bike, walk, take a bus or drive a car.

It’s about balance.

The Flat Rock Park Centre plan accommodates all of those people.

When people come to the City Center as they did this weekend for Saratoga Comic Con, they had a lot of fun. We asked them and maybe you saw the videos on Twitter.
They had fun except when they were trying to find parking.

When people come to the downtown to patronize a local store or restaurant, they have a lot of fun. Except when they are trying to find parking.

Just ask downtown businesses, finding parking is the number one complaint they receive from their customers.

Now Amazon is getting billions to locate in New York State.

The “convenience” they offer for people to shop from wherever and whenever is hurting local retailers.

For our local businesses to be convenient, we need more parking…And more trails and bike lanes…and more public transportation.

We need it all if we want to welcome everyone to Saratoga.

You’re great work bringing people together created the Flat Rock Park Centre plan.

Now let’s unite and make it happen!