Universal Preservation Hall

Saratoga Springs, New York

www.universalpreservationhall.org

Notes from a visit in May, 2005:

This is a former "Universal Methodist" church now being converted into a performance space and meeting hall. Built in 1871 and larger than the DRC, it was close to being condemned when a local group formed in 2001 to restore the building, provide a chapel for the dwindling congregation, and set up an organization to operate the space as a rental facility. They are spending about $3 million on restoration, but much of that is donated or in-kind — they estimate the real value would be closer to $6 million.

Our host, board member and real-estate broker Jeff Pfeil, explained that they had to have their business plan fully developed (with income almost entirely from space rental) before they received any substantial contributions. They recently received a $1 million gift from a private donor.

Working with preservationist architect Waite, they had to get creative with the "pew problem." Their decision was to remove them from the main space, cut a number of them to half their length (from 16' to 8'), and use them for other spaces, such as the chapel and other seating throughout the facility. They saved all the wood (chestnut) from the cut-down pews, which they will re-use as part of the re-built stage.

To bring the building up to current code, supports had to be added sufficient to allow the main space to support 75 lbs/sqft, while the stage needs to support 125 lbs/sqft