MAYOR PALMIERI ANNOUNCES PHASE III OF UTICA PROSPERITY INITIATIVE

Mayor Robert Palmieri unveiled Phase III of the city’s allocation of funding through the Utica Prosperity Initiative, which was presented to the Board of Estimate & Apportionment (E&A) today, February 22nd, for formal approval. The allocation for Phase III is approximately $27 million in community investment and consists of funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Last year, the city solicited public input to determine the community’s top priorities, projects and programs. As a result of the public outreach, the city crafted the Utica Prosperity Initiative. All projects were thoroughly vetted by third parties (law and accounting firm) to ensure applicability and compliance with federal guidelines.

The city is currently implementing Phase I and Phase II projects/initiatives, which includes child care expansion, a residential rehabilitation program, infrastructure improvements (paving and sewer), investment in affordable housing, investment in community assets (Utica Children’s Museum, Utica Zoo, Uptown Theatre), assistance for low-income students and mentorship for at-risk students who are interested in careers in public safety, among others.

A breakdown of Phase III projects/initiatives includes the following;

• Increase of the police complement to combat gun violence

• Major investments to improve city parks and recreation

• Plow trucks and other equipment for the Department of Public Works

• Fire truck and refurbishment of current fire apparatus’

• Necessary repairs to public facilities

• Technological upgrades for public safety

• Investment in Westside Senior Center

• Beatification of Varick Street

• Investment in Johnson Park Center

• Funding reserved for each Council district (the Council will have discretion in determining the process of how the funds will be allocated and all projects must meet applicable federal guidelines)

A major component of Phase III is adding five (5) police officers to the complement to combat gun violence. This proposal was made by the Administration on January 13th. Since that time, the Common Council approved the complement increase.

As city parks and recreation are a major asset to our community, Phase III provides substantive resources to improve city parks and add new recreational amenities.

Phase III also encompasses strategic investment in equipment (such as fire trucks and plows) and city facilities that will reduce the amount of money the city has to borrow for capital expenses, which has long-term financial benefits for tax-payers.

Mayor Palmieri said, “The Utica Prosperity Initiative is providing our community a unique opportunity to enhance the quality of life for our residents. Through strategic investment, we are promoting Utica’s existing assets; with a mission to make our community an attraction and a destination. I thank the public for their participation in this process, as well as city staff for crafting these transformational projects and initiatives.

The Mayor continued, “I look forward to working with the Common Council, and the public, as we implement these exciting projects throughout the city.”