By Paul Post
The state’s $10 million investment in Lake George is expected to reinvigorate its local economy for decades to come.
A new Shepard Park bandshell and amphitheater, slated to open next summer, is one of 13 projects scheduled for completion over the next five years.
An adjacent Lake Walk and observation deck, winterizing Village Mall and Lagoon Restaurant for year-round use, a National Heritage site and new public arts installations are other highlights approved under the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative.
“When it’s all done it’s going to be a big thing economic development-wise, it’s going to bring new business and new investment, but I also think it’s going to bring new people, visitors and groups to Lake George,” said Dan Barusch, town and village planning and zoning director. “In the past, we haven’t focused on public art, culture and heritage tourism as much. It’s going to be huge for us.”
The state awarded DRI funding to Lake George just days before Christmas 2023. A committee co-chaired by Mayor Raymond Perry, town Supervisor Vincent Crucitto Jr., and Fort William Henry Corporation CEO Kathy Muncil, spent last year obtaining public input and fleshing out plans for proposed projects.
Bids have already been submitted for two projects – the bandshell, and re-internment at Battlefield Park of the remains of more than 40 colonial-era soldiers discovered at Courtland Street in 2019. “Once we get some semblance of contracts we’re going to stick shovels in the ground on those two projects,” Barusch said. “A lot of the other ones will follow in 2027.”
The new bandshell amphitheater ($1.5 million) will replace one that burned last June 30.
The venue hosts numerous musical events throughout the busy tourist season including the always popular Jazz at the Lake festival, scheduled this year for September 12-14, bringing people to town after Labor Day.
“The bandshell is on a fast track because it’s such a heavily utilized part of the venue (Shepard Park) itself,” said Gina Mintzer, Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce executive director. “It’s one thing to go through the planning process and see how things look on paper. When it comes alive and you see the before, during and after, that’s when it’s really exciting.”
“There’s a diversity of projects on the table,” she said. “Each one is in some way an extension of and complements the other. When the Village Mall becomes more year around, you can have more business tenants, more vibrancy. It adds to people’s experience.”
A great deal of time, money and effort has been spent, with limited success, trying to make Lake George a more year-round tourist destination in recent years. Winter Realm at Charles R. Wood Park and Winter’s Dream at Fort William Henry both fizzled before completing proposed multi-year runs.
Warren County approved $3 million for Winter’s Dream, which generated a nominal profit of several thousand dollars.
Barusch said Lake George is faced with a “chicken and egg” dilemma.
“You need people to keep businesses open in winter, and they also need staff,” he said.
But visitors and more year-round residents won’t come unless there are things to see and do, and places to work.
Winterizing Village Mall ($1.25 million) is expected to create space for 16 more year-round commercial tenants. Plans call for enclosing both ends of the building and conducting extensive interior and facade renovation works.
An addition and improved accessibility to Caldwell Library ($433,000) and upgrades at the Old County Courthouse museum ($450,000) should make those sites more visitor friendly.
“Hopefully the Courthouse will stay open longer throughout the year, and keep people coming in spring and fall to see public art installations or learn more about the history,” Barusch said.
Lake George is the second Warren County community to obtain state DRI funding in recent years. Work, highlighted by a major transformation of South Street including a new Market Center, is still ongoing in Glens Falls.
Earlier this month, under a separate County Infrastructure Grant Program, the state approved $975,000 to help pay for North Creek’s new wastewater treatment plant that’s expected to spur local business investment in town. “This funding will help improve the North Creek business district, aid the expansion of Gore Mountain’s facilities to grow winter tourism and potentially help with development of new homes in the region as well,” said Kevin Geraghty, county Board of Supervisors chairman.
Gore Mountain is currently undergoing a $40 million upgrade.
In Saratoga County, the state has approved $250,000 to establish a central hub for the Saratoga Battlefield Heritage Region in anticipation of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. This new America’s Turning Point Heritage Center, located in the Village of Schuylerville, will be home to historical displays and presentations with a heavy emphasis on technology, including augmented reality and artificial intelligence, plus restrooms, a merchandise shop and offices.
In addition, the state has awarded $4.5 million for six projects in Schuylerville under the NY Forward program. Plans call for a new Village Community Center ($2,248,000), reconnecting the Old Champlain Canal under Ferry Street ($1,050,000), constructing a new mixed-use building at the Hotel Schuyler site ($750,000, Canal Square building renovations ($179,000), expansion of Kickstart Café ($187,000), and enhancement of wayfinding signage around the village ($86,000).
Of the 13 Lake George projects, 11 are public (town/village) and two are private.
The most expensive ($2.3 million) project is creation of a Lake Walk and observation deck atop the existing public restroom building. This largely unused portion Shepard Park will feature a small, new pocket park with benches and attractive landscaping.
In addition to Village Mall, the only other private project is $266,000 to renovate and expand 267 Canada (Mezza Luna building) with an upgraded restaurant and ADA-accessible patio space on the ground floor, five fully-furnished student or workforce housing units on the second floor and parking lot improvements.
“The state likes to infuse some money into private projects,” Barusch said. “In some towns it’s 50-50. But the public projects proposed in our package were so strong that I think the state saw value in giving most of the money to them. I think our joint town-village partnership also weighed heavily when applying for DRI funding.”
The new Battlefield Park project ($519,000), where soldiers’ remains will be buried, will be in a plaza-type setting with signage.
Other public projects are:
* Acquiring specialized music, audio-visual and lighting equipment to enhance year-round entertainment, product capacity and programming ($600,000).
* Creation of a Lake George Art & Canoe Trail ($375,000) featuring 18 uniquely painted canoes and paddles, and three murals, showcasing and cultivating regional talent while beautifying the area.
* Installing downtown heritage wayfinding. ($350,000). Dual-sided signs throughout downtown to will aid in navigation, highlight local points of interest and promote Lake George’s history. The project also includes the design and installation of two new Gateway signs for the town and village.
* Enhancing South Canada’s streetscape with pedestrian oriented design ($780,000), including expansion of accessible sidewalks, new benches, intersection improvements, stormwater management and new LED streetlights.
* Six new bus shelters with bike racks and reconfiguring the downtown Lake George circulator trolley to improve service and connectivity for residents, tourists and the workforce ($275,000).
* Establish a Small Projects Fund for winterization and building improvements ($600,000).
One property not included in DRI funding, which holds major potential for future development, is the former Water Slide World site on Route 9. Barusch said it’s hoped that a planned unit development will take shape at this large vacant parcel.
“It wouldn’t be for seasonal shops and restaurants, but places where people can work year round,” Barusch said. “Maybe a healthcare facility, day care, or small shopping center to create jobs, mixed with housing.”