Speak of the devil...

...And appear he does. After a pronounced spate of silence, Merlin Development owner Bruce Levinsky has reared his ugly head once again in Saratoga Springs.

For the few who haven’t been disparaged by Levinsky in one way or another, he’s best describe as the city’s prototypical villain, an arrogant, dodgy weasel who wouldn’t think twice about bulldozing an orphanage if he thought there was a dime to be made from it. Among his accolades, the developer has angered, argued with, or sued just about everyone in the city. And if you happen not to be one of those people, just wait. He’ll get around to you.

Once again, Levinsky is set to spar with city officials over the fate of the flailing historic Rip Van Dam Hotel, one of two remaining Victorian-era lodges still remaining on Broadway. With its rolling piazza –the only one of its kind still in existence in the city –the Rip is a miniature example of the majestic hotels that once lined the main street of Saratoga Springs.

Levinsky aimed to change all of that nearly a decade ago, when he set his site on what was then a moderate-priced motel that had fallen into disrepair. In his typical arrogant fashion, the developer drew up grandiose plans to turn the structure into a 100-room Ramada Inn with luxury suites and 350-seat banquet facility; a process that basically meant tearing down the entire building and starting from scratch.

Of course, the city’s Preservation Foundation balked at the idea and told Levinsky to rework his plans around maintaining the building’s historic façade. And so ensued a lengthy court battle in which the developer ultimately lost.

Perhaps to prove that he’s not a sore loser –or just a loser period –Levinsky decided to scuttle his plans for repair work and allow nature to take its course on the Rip Van Dam, a structure that was in dire need of repair even before he bought it. And now, the hotel is about ready to fall into the ground, according to the city’s engineer.

Levinsky claims to have a plan ready to fix the building. He’s also got an “alternate” plan to demolish it, despite the fact that it’s 166 years old and a historic part of the city. Given his history with the building, it doesn’t take much common sense to realize which option he’ll ultimately choose.

But as dastardly as Levinsky is –and he’s about as dastardly as they come –he’s not alone in his scheme to sidestep city preservationists by simply allowing historic structures to rot into the ground.

Take for instance, the two eyesore properties along Phila Street just north of Putnam, which are quite literally the only ones that haven’t been completely renovated. The owners claim they don’t have enough money to fix them up. Yet somehow, they’ve got enough to bulldoze them, clear the debris then build a new, more impressive structure behind them.

Cases like this are depressing, given the craftsmanship that 19th century architect put into these buildings. Unlike the modern travesties that are erected with aluminum framing and faux-brick siding, these structures were forged out of hardwood with granite foundations. Were it not for a handful of slum owners who couldn’t be bothered in funding general upkeep, many of these buildings would be able to stand another century without fail.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, the city is almost powerless to do anything about owners who could care less about things such as the historical importance of buildings and what they mean to a community.

But perhaps it’s in their purview to reinstate tar-and-feathering as a local alternative for developers like Levinsky. Make such a decision based on referendum vote. Or perhaps city leaders could take a cue from the nearby Green Mountain state and simply have a judge send him packing.