SoBro Conservancy of Saratoga

Our History

For the last couple of decades, many Saratogians have looked at the barren parcel at 209 South Broadway and asked why one of our most important intersections needed to look so bad.  Why it could not be beautified and improved.  Why we couldn’t do better.

In 2016, during Joanne Yepsen’s tenure as Mayor, the landowner, David Eshaghian, offered to give this property to the City.  The Mayor brought this offer to the City Council but could not get a majority vote to accept the donation. 

In mid-2021, private citizens asked Joanne to explore whether the landowner would consider donating it to a non-profit land conservancy.  Mr. Eshaghian was willing, but the land conservancy did not yet exist. 

In September, 2021, SoBro Conservancy of Saratoga, Inc. was incorporated as a non-profit in New York state.   It was not until May of 2022 that SoBro was awarded its 510(c)(3) status from the IRS. 

In July, 2022, SoBro closed on the parcel and assumed ownership. 

Now the hard work begins.