U-District resurrected: What will it take to bring Utica development dream to life?:
https://www.uticaod.com/story/news/2...TICA-NLETTER65
From the article: "It started five years ago with a dream: a development project called the U-District that could transform downtown Utica into a sports and entertainment destination.
The proposal, introduced by Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr. in his 2017 State of the County address, sparked debate for the next year or so, but eventually fell by the wayside, with little public discussion taking place over the last several years.
One may have thought the dream dead, if not for the Nexus Center sports facility project, which is one of the major proponents of the U-District and, as of now, the only project that has gotten off the ground.
Then, in his State of the County address in early April, Picente took the proposed U-District out of the mothballs, enlarged it and established a group to oversee its growth.
“When I talked about the U-District back then, it was all talked about in portions,†Picente said, noting his hope of a craft beer museum and casino in downtown Utica may still be on the table.
No timeline, projects or estimated costs have yet been established, but talk of the U-District has been revived and local stakeholders are eager to see it become a reality.
What is the U-District proposal?
When it was first proposed in early 2017, the U-District included the Aud and the neighboring Nexus Center – slated for completion later this year — as well as the American Craft Beer Museum and Innovation Center and Utica Commons Casino.
The craft beer museum and the casino are no longer on the front burner, but Picente said he has not yet given up hope on the proposals making the final cut for the U-District.
“I think they’d be a good fit,†he said.
After some debate on the proposals, including locations and overall need, the U-District started to fade away over the year.
Even the Nexus Center, which has faced and seemingly overcome its own issues, was rarely mentioned as being a part of the proposed U-District as it rose next to the Aud.
However, Picente looked to breathe new life into the proposal during his April 6 State of the County address, which his office highlighted as a major proponent of it.
How the U-District plan has expanded
In his address, Picente talked of expanding the proposed U-District and incorporating the U-District Redevelopment Corporation – a four-person advisory board designed to direct and facilitate public and private investment in the area.
The redefined U-District would include the area between the county-owned Insight House property and the creation of the REA Wing Food Emporium, where the farmers market is held by the Utica train station. It also would encompass all of Utica's historic Bagg's Square.
“I think we’ve broadened it a bit,†Picente said.
The four people on the redevelopment corporation are: Utica Comets President Robert Esche, Oneida Indian Nation representative Ray Halbritter, Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute President and CEO Anna D'Ambrosio and PAR Technology President and CEO Savneet Singh.
“The U-District will play an exciting role in the continuing development of Oneida County as a tourism destination,†Halbritter said in a statement, adding such partnerships make the area "a better place to live, work and build businesses."
"The Nation is committed to maintaining a symbiotic relationship with Oneida County — this kind of growth in tourism is good for all of the region’s tourist destinations and other businesses," he said, "and we are happy to lend our support to this exciting project.â€
Also,
What are the next steps for U-District?
Utica Mayor Robert M. Palmieri said he is looking forward to seeing and reviewing the possible proposals as they develop.
“It is our hope that plans in the U-District will be shared with the city, and that these plans complement the great economic development that is already occurring in Bagg’s Square; such as the revitalization of the former Doyle Hardware, ConMed, Commercial Travelers and Children’s Museum buildings,†Palmieri said in a statement.
“These are just a few examples of the exciting projects and initiatives that are ongoing in Bagg’s Square. The city values collaboration and looks forward to reviewing the proposals as it is developed.â€
Any proposals and investments related to the U-District will first go before the Oneida County Board of Legislators."
More here:
https://www.wktv.com/video/rethinkin...2b80da0c9.html
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