Revitalizing Utica

[Deleted]

It's all a crock of shit. These pols have been talking about reviving Utica for 20 yrs. It's the same old story, only the faces change. This city is going nowhere fast. With politicians like Roefaro running the show, what do u expect? Where is his "master plan" for reviving Utica? It's a pipe dream, & he never had a "plan" to begin with. But I give him credit for suckering in the voters, who believed that he did.

[dicklaurey]

That's the spirit!!

[rodwilson]

I'm curious to learn of your progress dick. There are incredible opportunities here. I was driving by through the Bagg's Square area the other day as I have two boys that love trains and was thinking what a cool area. I've become infatuated with the old section of the train station. The old broken down section that was used for warehouses. What a cool collection of shops, boutiques and smaller eateries that could be. Especially with the growing success of the Adirondack Railroad.

[dicklaurey]

Here is the website for the Portland project:
www.donflora.com/Little_Italy_Portland/committee.html
Don't let that plan scare you!
It is very extensive and ambitious, and, is fine for a city the size of Portland, but, it is not at all the approach that would work in Utica, although the theme is identical.
The first task is to embrace the vision and spirit of the project.
My plan utilizes existing buildings, which greatly reduces the overall cost, however, most of the major attractions to the project
(not outlined in the Portland website) are included in the Utica plan, but, are much more cost effective.
The bottom line is that, this same idea can be accomplished in Utica, with the same results, for a fraction of the cost of the Portland project.
Although the theme is ethnic, this plan does NOT favor the Italian community, as all people will be required to build, and eventually, be employed by, this project.
In every city "Little Italy" areas make money, by bringing the city tax revenue from structures that previously sat un-used, and, creating more jobs for the citizens. Why not capitalize on Utica's reputation for offering the best of all things Italian?

[rodwilson]

GREAT stuff. I've been discussing similar endeavors so I'm familiar with the concepts you are presenting, especially the redevelopment and incorporating "existings". I love the Italian theme. It reminds me of the Venetian and the Shoppes at Caesar's Palace in Vegas in their ability to really capture the Italian city experience.

Like I said, I truly believe that there is opportunity for this city and it's people.

Thank you for sharing this.

[rodwilson]

Here is an update on the city's Master Plan as well as an invitation to participate via the Mohawk Valley Chamber.

www.mvchamber.org/documents/news/267.pdf

[dicklaurey]

Rod-
Thank you for the Urban Planning website.
This plan, or, executive overview, addresses the mission statements and related activities that one would expect- some are specific and most are generic.
With no disrespect to Mr. Thomas, a hard lesson, well-learned from working on the Portland project, is that there are people who are designated to hold positions in city government, however, there is always another group of "movers and shakers", who actually make things happen in the city.
As I know you are aware, many well-intentioned folks, with the best of motives, have beaten their heads against the wall, trying to break thru the bureaucracy, only to have their creative efforts to improve the city, dismissed, for no good reason other than lack of "political clout".
My comments are not just sour grapes. I simply understand the reality of life as we know it.
Bottom line- If you want things done, you must meet with the movers and shakers.

[rodwilson]

Well understood. This "Master Plan" was something that Mayor Roefaro campaigned on. It seems that the framework has little substance for having been in the works for this long. I too am interested in development projects in the city but not in the current political climate. And my reasons aren't personal, they're based in business. I've seen too little from the current administration to get things done. It is my position that business should ultimately be the movers and shakers in a free market.

Unfortunately here, local politics, poor management and lack of vision has eroded much opportunity but efforts from local government can restore them. Efforts to turn things around will be more difficult than they "should" be but in no way do I think that it's impossible. I do plan to attend the next meeting of the "Master Plan" group in an effort to learn more.

www.uticamasterplan.org/

[dgriffin]

Dick, the Portland project is a great concept and I liked the website. I had mentioned earlier that part of the old Myrtle Base Air Base has already been done as a "small village" concept with mixed housing, small shops and even national retailers who will subscribe to the theme, such as Borders, etc. In the M.B. case, the project was built from scratch and does not have an ethnic theme, just a Georgian architectural theme.

I think the housing part is key, because it puts people who care about the neighborhood directly inside it, and it offers people an alternative to America's typically boring (and inconvenient!) housing choices.

Kracker's comment about the politicians prompts me to point out that politicians never really accomplish anything anyway. It takes people and a business pursuit to build a dream, just it has for the past 200 years on this side of the Atlantic. A politician's job is to get out of the way. To dream dreams, make big speeches and then sit down and let the profit motive take over.

It's ironic that today America seems to be leaning toward socialistic solutions to save the wealth that was made for them by capitalistic ventures. And it isn't working, is it?

[rodwilson]

So I sent an email to Frank Elias @ the MV Chamber inquiring about public access to the Master Plan process. He very promptly responded that it was a public process and then later in the afternoon sent me a link to join the forum for the Steering Committee which I eagerly did. There is absolutely NOTHING going on in this forum. There is a history of 16 total posts for 21 members including myself. 11 of them are from the forum admin, the other 5 from 1 individual.

There is a meeting at the Radisson on October 6th but unfortunately I have a conflict and can not attend. I emailed Frank to let him know of my conflict and requested that I be able to pick up materials that may be distributed at the meeting and I am still awaiting a reply.

This is from the city's website. "The plan will utilize citizen focus groups and an interactive web site, which will allow residents to critique the plan, present ideas online, and stay connected with our progress. We want people engaged. We want them interested and invested in their community again. " www.cityofutica.com/Mayor/Media/2009-02-18.htm

www.uticaod.com/news/x1676799835/Roefaro-announces-plan-for-master-plan

[dgriffin]

Rod, you can hold discussions here and repost points on the MVEdge Steering Committee forum. Until someone is home at that forum. And vice versa, when warranted.

I dealt with Elias last year, requesting an answer to a question that was discussed here, and he appears to be knowledgeable and courteous. I think frankcor knows him, or has had dealings with him in the past. I'm under the impression Elias reads the various forums, including Clipper's Busy Corner.

Committee-produced plans and documents are always a bit hazy. Too many heads does that.

[rodwilson]

I agree Dave, I have had a few conversations and have met with Frank and he does represent as you state. He has been very helpful. I believe that he does have a positive vision for Utica In fact we've discussed Saratoga, mixed use neighborhoods and the importance of local economies. I do know that he "gets it". He also this past spring offered me the use of some of his space for an endeavor.

Is the MV Edge forum different than the Utica Master Plan forum?

[dgriffin]

Rod, don't know. If they are, I would think either.

[fiona]

Kracker: Have you ever considered moving?

[rodwilson]

Just a quick note. I was looking at the '09 county budget in anticipation of the '10 budget and I thought it was somewhat interesting given our talk of agricultural development that the budget included $160,000 for the OC Snowmobile Association and NOT A CENT for Ag Ec Development.