David R. Roefaro, Mayor

City of Utica, New York

The City of Utica Announces Plans for

The Thomas M. Lindsey Memorial Public Safety Center

(UTICA, NY, April 14) -- On Monday April 14, 2008, the City of Utica Police and Fire Departments will expand their presence in the Cornhill neighborhood with the announcement of plans to open The Thomas M. Lindsey Memorial Public Safety Center. The Center, located at 230 James Street, will open in approximately eight weeks.

The Center will allow for a more visible, consistent Police and Fire presence, ensuring greater public safety, stimulating community involvement, and establishing more positive citizen relations.

The proposed Thomas M. Lindsey Memorial Public Safety Center will be housed in a 2,500 square foot, wood-framed dual-storefront, which will be painted a bright, startling blue. A now vacant lot directly adjacent the building will provide off-street parking for Public Safety vehicles, including fire trucks. The now vacant structure will require extensive rehabilitation. The scope of the work will include: complete replacement of the roof, which has a caved in section toward the rear of the building; reconstruction of the James Street façade including awning, lighting, and signage; and a complete gut rehab of the interior, including re-establishment of heating, plumbing, and electrical systems.

Corner street signs in blue with the word "Police" will be placed above the ordinary green street signs which mark the intersections of James and West, and James and Miller in order to draw further attention to the presence of the Center.

The structure and lot are both currently owned by The City of Utica's Urban Renewal Agency, and are considered surplus property. As such, the building and the lot are available to the project with no acquisition cost. Renovation funding will be re-allocated from two previously received grants, which could not be spent on the original projects, due to programmatic changes. No additional City funds will be sought at this time.

"The need for increased Public Safety presence in the neighborhood is not a secret," said Public Safety Commissioner Dan LaBella. "Officer Lindsey gave his life in the line of duty to serve and protect the residents of this neighborhood, and we all thought that this would be a great way for the City of Utica to honor that sacrifice."

In January, Mayor Roefaro and Commissioner LaBella reviewed the special needs of higher crime areas such as James Street. "The increased Police and Fire presence will go a long way toward increasing the quality-of-life of neighborhood residents," said Mayor David Roefaro. "I salute Commissioner LaBella and the men and women of the UPD and the UFD for their continuing dedication to this community."

Questions: Angelo Roefaro 792.0100