New York State will support 16 transformational projects for Utica as part of the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award, Gov. Andrew Cuomo says in a statement.
The strategic investments in Utica will redevelop underutilized buildings, improve infrastructure including parks, foster new business and bolster arts and cultural offerings.” The investments are part of the Governor’s ongoing efforts to revitalize the upstate economy and create more opportunities for the Mohawk Valley,” the statement says.
Projects funded through the initiative will:
Restore the Kempf Block into Mixed-used Redevelopment – $750,000: Reactivation of blighted and underutilized buildings in the city’s Commercial Business District to add market-rate residential apartments and commercial space across seven retail storefronts.
Establish a Business Assistance Fund – $750,000: Establishment of a grant fund for eligible small businesses within the focused area for expansion and improvement projects.
Construct Mixed-use Artspace Utica: Affordable Live/Work Artist Housing – $650,000: Construction of a new, four-story, mixed-use building with community/commercial space and affordable live/work units for local artists and their families.
Rehabilitate Veterans’ Fitness and Wellness Center – $650,000: Restoration of the locker rooms and parking area of the Veterans’ Fitness and Wellness Center, enhancing a valuable recreational amenity for downtown living and community well-being.
Create an Employment Center to Prepare and Attract a Diverse Workforce – $624,000: Creation of an employment center offering culturally and linguistically appropriate training and employment services for diverse populations working in the region.
Renovate Macartovin Commercial Space to Attract Businesses to the City’s Commercial Corridor – $600,000: Historic rehabilitation of the Macartovin Building’s vacant first floor to bring commercial space downtown, thereby attracting businesses to the heart of the city’s commercial corridor.
Redevelop Oneida National Bank Building to Establish Mohawk Valley’s Commercial Kitchen/Food Incubator – $400,000: Conversion of vacant space on the fifth floor of the former Oneida National Bank into the Mohawk Valley’s first commercial kitchen/food Incubator.
Rehabilitate New Century Club into Modern Commercial Space – $375,000: Rehabilitation of one of downtown Utica’s most historically significant buildings, the New Century Club, to create new commercial office space.
Upgrade the Stanley Theater – $340,250: Creation of a more welcoming and accessible interface for the iconic theatre with upgrades to the Genesee St. entrance and the box office department.
Repair Washington Street Garage to Expand Parking Downtown – $2,000,000: Repairs to a three-deck downtown parking facility that prioritize recommended improvements to the slab, structure, and stair tower in order to return critical downtown parking space.
Create Munson-Williams Park at Munson-Williams Proctor Arts Institute -$819,500: Creation of a large public-access park on underutilized institute land in the Oneida Square neighborhood with arts and culture programming.
Expand Public Art to Create a Vibrant Arts-themed Corridor – $750,000: Installation and restoration of public art throughout downtown in partnership with local artists. Project elements include a facelift for the Utica Place Garage, repairs to the iconic Sun Mural, and the creation of placemaking activity hubs.
Adaptive Reuse of DeSales Center for Inclusive Community Services – $500,000: Activation of 50,000 sq. ft. of underutilized space to transform the DeSales Building into a more inclusive, accessible community center by installing an elevator and replacing damaged windows.
Activate Liberty Bell Park – $278,350: Conversion of Liberty Bell Park to a year-round, multi-purpose space for outdoor recreation and public events with improved lighting, landscaping, hardscaping, furnishing, and an area for an ice rink during winter.
Bestowing Roots and Wings: Improving Outdoor Community Space at the Carol L. Crooms Cultural Activities Center – $111,000: Conversion of two vacant lots into multi-purpose event spaces to complement the community and business programming of the Carol L. Crooms Cultural Activities Center.
Rehabilitate the Utica Public Library Genesee Street Corridor – $101,900: Rehabilitation of sidewalks, stone pillars, and catch basins along the Genesee Street entrance of the Utica Library to help preserve and maintain a landmark civic institution downtown.
