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Joseph Brill 518-474-5987 | joseph.brill@ogs.ny.gov
June 10, 2021
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OGS ANNOUNCES REOPENING OF PLAZA AT UTICA STATE OFFICE BUILDINGBuilding Improvements Represent Substantial Investment in Downtown Utica |
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Sidewalk Replacement is Part of City of Utica’s Downtown Revitalization Efforts New York State Office of General Services(OGS) Commissioner RoAnn Destito today announced the completion of renovations and reopening to the public of the outdoor plaza at the Utica State Office Building. Work on the plaza, combined with other recent building improvements and the City of Utica’s installation of a new sidewalk, represent significant investments totaling more than $10 million by the state and city in Downtown Utica.
Commissioner Destito was joined by Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri today in announcing the reopening of the Utica State Office Building’s West Plaza along Genesee Street and East Park. The newly renovated plaza and park are favorite lunch spots for workers at the building and people from surrounding office buildings. In recent years, OGS has also improved the building’s security, installed more energy-efficient windows, and cleaned the structure’s façade.
“Building upon the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award Governor Cuomo announced last month, OGS has made significant investments in our building in downtown Utica, making it a more secure, energy-efficient, and attractive place for our tenants and the public,” Commissioner Destito said. “We are grateful to Mayor Palmieri and our local partners in City Hall for contributing to this effort by installing beautiful new sidewalks in Utica, including in front of the state office building.”
Joseph Rabito, President and CEO of the Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) said, “While the beautiful streetscape you see here today looks terrific, what you don’t see are the critical green storm water infrastructure improvements that were made beneath it that will reduce the load on the wastewater treatment plant during storms. EFC is pleased to have been able to provide nearly $5 million in grants and zero interest loans that bolster water quality infrastructure for the Utica community and is committed to our partnerships with other local governments statewide as we address clean and drinking water projects and protect public health.”
Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri, said, “Downtown Utica is experiencing transformation and revitalization, in part, due to the public-private partnerships we’ve fostered. New York State has been a strong partner in Utica’s redevelopment, and the reopening of the plaza at the Utica State Office Building is another example of the continued beautification of downtown. I thank and commend Commissioner Destito for her continued support.”
Major Investments in Utica State Office Building Over the Past Five Years
Also, OGS upgraded the building’s fire alarm and security systems, painted all public areas, and replaced the median and walking paths in the rear parking lot.
The City of Utica installed green surfaces and replaced sidewalks along Genesee Street as part of a stormwater separation project along Oriskany Boulevard and the surrounding area. Funding for the project came from a mix of grant and interest-free loans, as well as a WIIA grant and Green Integrated Solutions Construction grant with financing from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation. These improvements help reduce combined sewer and stormwater overflow.
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