To the editor:

We were delighted to see the news that the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) is considering relocating its headquarters to the historic Paul Smith’s Power and Light building in downtown Saranac Lake. This move would bring new life to the 1927 office building, which housed the offices of the Paul Smiths Power Company and then Niagara Mohawk until 1986, when it was acquired by the village of Saranac Lake.

It would also invest in our state’s commitment to greenhouse gas reduction and downtown revitalization initiatives. A quarter of a building’s lifetime greenhouse gas emissions are created just through the building’s construction, regardless of that building’s future energy efficiency. Production of concrete, steel and aluminum, all necessary components of new construction, account for 23% of total global greenhouse emissions.

In addition, relocating employees to the walkable, vibrant downtown Saranac Lake will contribute to the village’s economy and reduce reliance on cars.

Finally, a recent building condition report commissioned by the village outlines the necessary steps to bring this beautiful terra cotta building back into full use.

We applaud the APA’s initiative and hope their leadership catalyzes other state agencies within the Adirondacks to similarly invest in our sustainable future.

Erin Tobin

Executive director, Adirondack Architectural Heritage

and Amy Catania

Executive director, Historic Saranac Lake

Saranac Lake