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Village Advisory Board: Downtown Advisory Board

The Downtown Advisory Board serves in an advisory capacity to the Village Board of Trustees and works to support the continued vitality, character, and economic success of Downtown Saranac Lake. Through collaboration with residents, business owners, property owners, event organizers, and community partners, the Board helps guide initiatives related to downtown beautification, events, infrastructure improvements, promotions, and long-term planning. The Board also serves as a liaison between downtown stakeholders and Village government while advocating for the implementation of adopted downtown plans and policies that enhance the experience, image, and lifestyle of Downtown Saranac Lake.

Guiding Documents

Downtown Strategic Investment Plan

Downtown Parking Map

Truck Route Law

Mission

The mission of the Downtown Advisory Board is to improve economic vitality by enhancing the experience, image, and lifestyle of Downtown Saranac Lake.

The Board operates in an advisory capacity to the Village Board of Trustees and works to support policies, initiatives, and actions that strengthen Downtown Saranac Lake.

The Board follows the National Trust for Historic Preservation Main Street Four-Point Approach, including:

  • Organization
  • Promotion
  • Design
  • Economic Restructuring

as well as the program’s guiding principles focused on partnerships, implementation, quality, and community-based revitalization.

Duties & Responsibilities

The Downtown Advisory Board is responsible for:

  • Advising the Village Board of Trustees on issues affecting Downtown Saranac Lake
  • Assisting with downtown events, promotions, beautification, fundraising, and infrastructure improvements
  • Encouraging cooperation between public and private stakeholders
  • Serving as a liaison between downtown stakeholders and Village government
  • Advocating for implementation of adopted downtown plans and policies

Members

The Downtown Advisory Board consists of up to nine voting members appointed by the Village Board of Trustees, along with one ex-officio Village Board liaison. Members serve staggered two-year terms without compensation.

Appointments are made with the goal of representing a broad range of Downtown stakeholders and encouraging diversity with respect to age, ability, race, and gender.

Voting members must be one of the following:

  • Downtown resident
  • Downtown property owner
  • Downtown business owner
  • Downtown event representative

Seeking New Members

  • Letters of interest for prospective new members may be sent to [email protected] and [email protected]
  • Send letters of interest by July 23, 2026
  • Prospective new members must be a downtown resident, downtown property owner, downtown buisness owner, and/or downtown event representative

Current Members

Jerry Michael, Chair 5/31/28
Kathy Steinbrueck 5/31/28
Rachel Karp 5/31/28
Mark Coleman 5/31/28
CJ Hagmann 5/31/27
Vacant 5/31/27
Kt Stiles 5/31/27
Michael Aguirre 5/31/27
Justin Wolford 5/31/27


Ex-Officio Member

Village Trustee Jeremy Evans

Staff Liaison

Community Development Director

Meetings

The Downtown Advisory Board meets monthly, with regular meetings held:

Second Wednesday at 8:30 AM
Village Office
39 Main St., Suite 9 
Saranac Lake, NY 12983

All meetings are open to the public in accordance with New York State Open Meetings Law.

Board members may attend meetings remotely by telephone or video conferencing.

Bylaws

The Downtown Advisory Board has adopted bylaws governing:

  • Membership and appointments
  • Officer roles and responsibilities
  • Quorum and voting procedures
  • Attendance requirements
  • Meeting procedures
  • Conflict of interest policies
  • Public participation procedures
  • Committee structure
  • Adoption and amendment procedures

[Downtown Advisory Board Bylaws]

Downtown Boundary

For purposes of Board membership and representation, “Downtown Saranac Lake” is defined by the boundary map included as Exhibit A within the adopted bylaws.

Contact Information

Village of Saranac Lake
39 Main Street
Saranac Lake, NY 12983

Phone: (518) 891-4150
Email: [email protected]

Join or Participate

Public participation and community engagement are important components of the Downtown Advisory Board’s work. Residents, business owners, property owners, and community stakeholders are encouraged to attend meetings, provide input, and participate in shaping the future of Downtown Saranac Lake.