Businesses voice opinions in city's plan to revitalize Utica's downtown area
-->By: Jennifer Lee
Updated: October 11, 2012
It's a multi- million dollar project aimed at attracting businesses and people to Utica's Downtown area.
Mayor Robert Palmieri has unveiled the city's parking plan, turning Genesee Street into a boulevard.
Businesses are voicing their concerns and opinions. Some owners are concerned about the construction if the proposal is approved.
Others say it would be a great way for people to appreciate the downtown area. The city of Utica is ready to revitalize its downtown area. Now, the mayor is just waiting to hear back from the state and federal governments for approval.
Part of the plan is to reconstruct Genesee Street into a boulevard, converting the current four lanes down to two and adding a median.
But, some business owners hope cutting down the lanes won't affect the flow of traffic.
"I know a lot of my customers complain about parking. I'm into the revitalization part but I don't see how the street with a median is going to help," said worker William Boucher.
Mayor Palmieri says he realizes city and state workers take up parking spaces. But he says part of the plan is to build various parking garages. This, will then free up spaces. And as for traffic, Mayor Palmieri says the point is to slow it down.
"This is not a high speed area. This is an area that we want it to be very inviting and community oriented and have a warm feeling," said Mayor Palmieri.
The owner of NY Connection agrees with the mayor's plan saying it will allow people to respect the downtown area. But, other businesses say it's too early too tell how they feel about the proposal.
"I don't have enough information to judge what the plan is about yet but I will welcome anything that will enhance downtown Utica as long as it done intelligently," said Ed Lasek, a business owner.
Funding for the project is expected to come in the form of $13 million in grants and $2 million from the city.
The city is expected to hear back from the state and federal governments by the end of November.
Mayor Palmieri says if the plan is approved, construction may coincide with the arterial project.
