Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Brown's Beach developers taking new look at $85M project

The developers behind a proposed resort on Saratoga Lake at Brown's Beach haven't given up on the $85 million project, despite Supervisor Greg Connors saying Monday that talks with the town have stalled.

The Town Board hasn't heard from the developers since May, Connors said.

"For whatever reason, the developers have not been able to respond to our request concerning federal and state regulatory review on the project, originally requested in 2005," Connors said. "Today in Stillwater, when developers fail to act, the town will."

Attorney Michele Anderson, a spokeswoman for Brown's Beach Properties LLC, said the developers are moving forward and she was surprised by Connors' characterization. But she also said her clients are taking a "second look" at the plans after dozens of neighbors called the two-tower, 80-foot-high hotel too big.

"We will proceed at the right time; if the engineers and architects can address the concerns we've heard while keeping the project financially viable, we will," Anderson said.

Saratoga Springs real estate agents Larry and Geraldine Abrams formed Brown's Beach Properties with a partner and bought the 7.3-acre property for $1.57 million in 2004. The beach is along Route 9P, near the intersection of County Route 76. A year later, the Abramses approached the town with a resort plan that would include up to 250 rooms. In November 2005, the couple proposed a project with 175 to 188 rooms, two restaurants and a spa.

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