For those interested in Skidmore College and, in particular, housing issues that have been discussed, here is a copy of their campus master planning document, which as they go is pretty comprehensive and thoughtful IMO.
As you’ll see, a new dorm is on the near-term building plan, along with some other campus building and renovation; and a second dorm is expected to be built in the longer term. Renovations to most/all of the existing dorms (and several other campus buildings) are also on the near-term planning sheet. Each new dorm will offer 240 beds. They’re also renovating their athletic center and building a new health & wellness facility, both also on the near-term schedule, among other things.
We were recently in the area and some of the work has already begun. The new science center is impressive.
Skidmore has some ambitious plans, which seem to be energized by the new President, whom I’ve met. Its location in SS, and more precisely the north Broadway area, will always be a natural asset for the school and offers a solid foundation upon which to continue further development as a top flight LAC.
As I’ve said, we don’t have direct skin in Skidmore’s future, and the students with whom we have close connections have graduated. But we love SS, and have given serious thought to buying a second home in the area. The appeal of the ocean (for me) will likely win out in favor of a coastal New England location (assuming kiddo 2 or 3 plans to stay in the NE long-term). But we’ll always travel back to SS and catch a Skidmore basketball or hockey game.
People interested in Skidmore’s specific setting will want to know its story. At around the time of its founding (1922) it had wanted to build a campus on what is now its current location at the northern edge of town. This land was unavailable for purchase at this time, so it developed a downtown location. Decades later, however, the land of its original preference became available. Skidmore purchased this land to build its current campus, and did not fully leave its downtown location until after a years-long transition, lasting through at least much of the 1970s.
All of the buildings comprising the old Skidmore campus are still standing and clearly recognizable as such even through they exist among Saratoga’s ample inventory of beautiful old classic houses and buildings. This is due in part to the fact that they remain unchanged and thus still look like old academic buildings, and also because original signage is still affixed to them. So, “South Hall,” “Skidmore Hall,” etc. can be seen from the street as you walk the old campus area.
Saratoga Springs takes its history and historical preservation of old buildings very seriously. So while these old buildings are in other uses now, it’s not surprising that they haven’t been changed much and still look mostly if not entirely as they did back when they were part of Skidmore’s old campus. Many are in the area of Circular and Spring streets adjacent to the northeastern corner of Congress Park, just a block off Broadway.