Utica unveils signs for its prosperity initiative projects

UTICA, N.Y. — Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri recently gave an update on the city’s Utica Prosperity Initiative projects.

The city developed the initiative after soliciting public input to determine the community’s top priorities, projects, and programs. As a result, the city allocated funding to dozens of quality-of-life projects and programs.

Repairing the roof of the Uptown Theatre is one such project, with work expected to start in the next 45 to 60 days.

Several other projects have already started or will begin imminently, and the city is unveiling signage at various sites to highlight the projects. Those locations include the Utica Zoo, where a new welcome center is planned; the new Children’s Museum on the Memorial Parkway overseen by ICAN; St. Francis DeSales Center childcare expansion; Olbiston Apartments Revitalization affordable-housing project; Culver Avenue for sidewalk improvement; playground sidewalk improvements in West Utica; the HomeOwnershipCenter for a residential rehabilitation program; Utica Place Parking Garage, where new garage signage is planned; Utica Library for infrastructure and decorative improvements; and the Empowerment Center on James Street for a youth-development space.

Utica will announce more projects and unveil signs in the coming months.

“The Utica Prosperity Initiative is providing our community a unique opportunity to enhance the quality of life for our residents,” Palmieri contended in a news release. “Through strategic investment, we are promoting Utica’s existing assets with a mission to make our community an attraction and a destination.”