Some concerned with meter parking and construction of proposed Downtown Utica Project
By: Chelsea Rarrick
Updated: December 6, 2012
Ed Lasek's business has been home to Downtown Utica for over 30 years.
"I love it. I love it here," he said.
And he's also been serving customers like Tony Robertelli for fifteen years.
"It's very convenient for me to come here because of the parking and the location he's had," said Robertelli.
As a businessman looking at the future, Ed's concerned about Utica Mayor, Rob Palmieri's recent proposed Genesee Street Corridor Improvement and Downtown Parking Plan for the city.
Some of those concerns, he says, could affect his business and customers even before the project is complete.
"Obviously there's going to be a lot of roadwork done. However, I hope that they would come up with a plan where it would be determined that the shifts could be worked out where it wouldn't affect our business too bad," said Lasek.
On Thursday morning, Ed along with others int he community were able to take their concerns like the construction directly to Mayor Palmieri.
The Mayor says he understands why construction would worry some, but says it's all part of progress.
"It's no different in your home. If you are going to remodel your home or build a kitchen or build a bathroom, there's a lot of time that goes into it," he said.
Along with road work, another question on the minds of some is the possible paid parking meters.
"I do not want people coming into my place of business to pick out a pair of eyeglasses and to be looking at their watches to see how much time they have left on the meter," said Lasek.
"If you look at any type of development into the downtown areas, the restoration of them, they all have some type of pay station," said Mayor Palmieri.
"I love it. I love it here," he said.
And he's also been serving customers like Tony Robertelli for fifteen years.
"It's very convenient for me to come here because of the parking and the location he's had," said Robertelli.
As a businessman looking at the future, Ed's concerned about Utica Mayor, Rob Palmieri's recent proposed Genesee Street Corridor Improvement and Downtown Parking Plan for the city.
Some of those concerns, he says, could affect his business and customers even before the project is complete.
"Obviously there's going to be a lot of roadwork done. However, I hope that they would come up with a plan where it would be determined that the shifts could be worked out where it wouldn't affect our business too bad," said Lasek.
On Thursday morning, Ed along with others int he community were able to take their concerns like the construction directly to Mayor Palmieri.
The Mayor says he understands why construction would worry some, but says it's all part of progress.
"It's no different in your home. If you are going to remodel your home or build a kitchen or build a bathroom, there's a lot of time that goes into it," he said.
Along with road work, another question on the minds of some is the possible paid parking meters.
"I do not want people coming into my place of business to pick out a pair of eyeglasses and to be looking at their watches to see how much time they have left on the meter," said Lasek.
"If you look at any type of development into the downtown areas, the restoration of them, they all have some type of pay station," said Mayor Palmieri.
