CommonSenseSaratoga’s Citizens Committee developed six wards for the city of Saratoga Springs based on proximity and voter registration numbers. These wards would provide real representation for the taxpayers who live in these neighborhoods. There would be a point person to call to take care of every day constituent issues such as snow plowing, leaf pick up and pot holes. But, with the recovery needed as a result of the pandemic, there would also be a representative to speak out for the neighborhoods, to work cooperatively with their Council colleagues on city-wide issues and help develop new initiatives to restore and maintain Saratoga Springs’ quality of life.
If the charter reform proposal passes, the first city council to be seated based on these wards will use the completed 2020 Census to redraw the districts based on actual population.
The wards are as follows:
Ward 1 is comprised of Election Districts 4, 8, 9 and 12. This is the “Inner East Side” section of the city and includes much of the downtown business district east of Broadway and most of the city’s Historic District–the area where properties are protected by the historic review ordinance, the Design Review Commission, and where the most scrutiny is given to any new construction or development. The area also includes The area includes the former Skidmore Campus whose former dormitories have been turned into apartment buildings. There are also condominiums in the ward.
The total of 2019 registered voters in the ward is 2,907.
Ward 2 is comprised of Election Districts 1, 2, 3, 24 and 25. This is the “North Side” section of the city and includes the entire new Skidmore Campus (ED24), Birch Run (ED25), the new condominiums on Railroad Place and the downtown commercial district between Clinton Street and Broadway. It also includes the area east of North Broadway (ED3) which stretches all the way to Northway exit 15.
The total number of 2019 registered voters in the ward is 2,967.
Ward 3 is comprised of Election Districts 5, 15, 17 and 22. This is the “Outer East Side” section of the city and includes the post-WWII area of the East Side near the Oklahoma Track and the “tree streets” north of Lake Avenue near St. Clement’s Church. The ward stretches east into more rural areas and the Bear Swamp to the City line. The Ward includes Race Course property north of Union Avenue and east of the Northway includes the areas overlooking Fish Creek.
The total number of 2019 registered voters in the ward is 3,418.
Ward 4 is comprised of Election Districts 10, 13, 14 and 23. This is the “South Side” section of the city and runs on both sides of Broadway. Although geographically the largest of the six Wards, it contains most of the city’s public housing–Jefferson and Vanderbilt Terraces, Stonequist, and Watkin Apartments. The ward also includes the “President Streets” near Lincoln Avenue, just west of the Race Course. The ward also includes the commercial district south of Congress Street all the way to the State Park, and, beyond to the city line at Kaydeross Creek. To the west, the Ward includes the State Park bounded by Route 50 south.
The total number of 2019 registered voters in the ward is 3,273.
Ward 5 is comprised of Election Districts 16, 18, 20 and 21. This is the “South West Side” section of the city and includes Geyser Crest. The Ward also includes the “King Arthur” streets (ED21). The entirety of the district is more than two miles long and is a 10 minute car ride from the center of town.
The total number of 2019 registered voters in the ward is 2,971.
Ward 6 is comprised of Election Districts 6, 7, 11 and 19. This is the “West Side” section of the city. The district includes the Navy housing complex on outer Washington Street (ED 19), the Home of the Good Shepherd elder housing on outer Church Street, and workforce/affordable housing being redeveloped by a non-profit group in the area of Allen Drive.
The total number of 2019 registered voters in the ward is 3,328.