UTICA — After years of delay, things are progressing again with the City of Utica’s plan to turn its waterfront area into a destination for residents and tourists, alike. On June 16, the city announced it formally took ownership of the 1933 building from the New York State Canal Corporation, which is a major step […]
UTICA — After years of delay, things are progressing again with the City of Utica’s plan to turn its waterfront area into a destination for residents and tourists, alike.
On June 16, the city announced it formally took ownership of the 1933 building from the New York State Canal Corporation, which is a major step forward in its Utica Harbor Point project.
“The harbor has been talked about for decades and decades,” Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri says.
Just a step away from North Genesee Street, the harbor area was truly a hidden gem—hidden away by buildings. Now that the city has ownership of the 1933 building, work is underway to demolish two adjacent buildings and remediate the area for reuse using American Rescue Plan Act funding. The City of Utica is in talks with two interested developers.
No reuse plans are finalized yet, Palmieri says, but he envisions restaurants, stores, apartments, and water-use business like kayak rentals along a waterside promenade.
“Water has always captivated everyone,” he notes. “This is going to be a destination.”
The project dates back to 2008 when then-Gov. David Paterson signed legislation allowing the transfer of about 15 acres of state land around the Utica harbor to the city. The intent at the time was for a local development corporation to steward the land and foster an environment for private development to flourish.
The city established the Utica Harbor Point Development Corporation (UHPDC), with the city as the sole member, which is guided by an 11-person board. To date, the UHPDC secured nearly $20 million in state and local funding to create a master plan, establish design guidelines, construct improved access to the area, extend utilities to the site, reconstruct the concrete bulkhead around the harbor, and improve pedestrian access between downtown Utica and the harbor.
Palmieri cites the construction of a Starbucks just outside the harbor entrance as proof the project is truly finding its footing.
“Starbucks only goes where they believe in an area,” he says, adding that walkability, livability, and “job-ability” are three benchmarks the company seeks.
Another nearby project, the Nexus Center multi-surface sports complex on Oriskany Street West dovetails well with the Harbor Point project, Palmieri says. Part of the harbor plan calls for development of about five acres of recreational fields just a short walk away. Families with members participating in tournaments at the Nexus Center can walk over to Harbor Point to enjoy some outdoor time, grab a little lunch, or just enjoy the water, he says.
Growth across the entire downtown Utica region, he says, is booming and all the regions from Bagg’s Square to Varick Street will benefit.