LA Group via City of Glens Falls (2021)
The buildings marked "D" in this picture have been torn down and the "South Street Market" will fill the area.
Glens Falls officials will announce as early as tomorrow which company has been recommended to design and act as a consultant as needed on the construction of a multi-use municipal building at 49 South St.
The recommendation comes from the city’s Downtown Revitalization Committee, but the final approval of the company is up to the Glens Falls Common Council. The recommendation will be on their agenda for, next Tuesday April 13, officials said.
The building will fill an empty space on South Street owned by the city, and though it’s called the “South Street Market,” the city has been looking toward multiple uses.
"You can’t build a $3 million building that’ll be used every Saturday for two hours," said Jeff Flagg, the economic development director for the city.
He said, the presumption now is that the city will build and own the building, and they are looking for how the space might be used in more ways. That includes family events, wedding receptions, some activities with music, but not large concerts, and other possible activities, he said.
The firm chosen came from 12 proposals earlier in the year. They were narrowed to five, which were interviewed, said Judy Calogero at the Glens Falls Local Development Corporation meeting this morning.
"I'm not going to name them at this time," Calogero said.
The choice will be revealed after some final details about the project are hashed out, Calogero said. Geo-technical information, acoustical engineering, and a provision to cover the possibility of special inspections, are among the details.
She added that there should be agreement over those in the next 24 hours.
Since the city would own and act as the developer, they also need to hire an “owner’s representative,” or what is sometimes called a “clerk of the works.” This is a third party, neither city staff nor staff of the design firm, to make sure the city complies with various regulations and laws, officials said.
Construction will be paid for partially through Downtown Revitalization Initiative funds. The city will front those funds and be reimbursed after completion, Calogero said. The development is part of the city's overall downtown redevelopment plan.
Correction: The original story said that the company would oversee the project. As an architect, they would act more as a consultant as needed. The story has been changed.