The lights really tie the place together

Beekman Arts to get lights that help create the space.

The Beekman Street Arts District expanded to four blocks when the Saratoga Springs Unified Development Ordinance was enacted in 2022, and now they are getting the lights to prove it.

Two light posts similar to this one on the south side of the Beekman Street-Grand Avenue intersection will be added to the block in the background of the picture. It is a way to show that companies such as the Textile Studio at left are part of the Beekman Street Arts District.

The city has won a $10,000 Saratoga County Economic Development Grant in order to fund two streetlamps on Beekman Street between Grand Avenue and Washington Street, the block that was added in 2022. That block is generally a residential block but has two businesses currently there: The Textile Studio, a weaving company; and Saratoga Atelier, a hand-crafted clothing, artwork and home goods studio and store.

The light posts will likely not be erected until this fall.

“We asked the city if we could have some lampposts,” Cecilia Lockwood, owner of the Textile Studio told the Dispatch. She said the city “very nicely, generously,” found a grant to get it done.

The lights will be classic Sternberg lamps, which are new but look like the old gas lamps that once shone on Spa City’s streets.

“We just want to make sure we have nice lighting,” said Mayor John Safford in a quick interview after the Saratoga Springs City Council voted to approve the use of the grant last week. He reiterated the notion that the lights will help tie the new block to the old.

This is the second county grant the city received to support the art district's recent extension to Washington Street.

Signage helps people find the artist shops on the Beekman Street block between Grand Avenue and Washington Street. The block was added to the Arts District in 20222.

“With rising fixture costs, two grant requests were necessary to install decorative lights, banners and wayfinding for visitors to enjoy the cultural offerings on Beekman,” city documents say.

This Friday, Aug. 15, the arts district is holding their Friday Art Market, 5 to 8 p.m. Shops will be open, and live music will be playing.