New, Color-Changing ‘UTICA’ Sign Lights Up for the First Time

UTICA—Mayor Robert M. Palmieri lit-up the new, color-changing “UTICA” letters in Downtown for the first time ever.

Two local businesses partnered to create what will now be a centerpiece and showcase for those entering the heart of the City of Utica. Utica Sign and Graphics and National Building and Restoration Corporation teamed-up to add a facade to the Utica Place garage adorned with custom-made, 18-foot, LED spackled letters that comprise the sign. 

The sign is on the north side of the Utica Place garage, which is adjacent to the old Boston Store and sits at the entrance to Downtown Utica. It will be visible to visitors coming off of the NYS Thruway, and will serve as a source of civic pride for residents.

In addition to the letters, a perforated facade adorns the garage to make the letters stand out, and to upgrade the look of this important gateway. Utica Place underwent a substantial renovation in 2019. However, that renovation was focused on the structural integrity and viability of the garage, and the City was unable to make substantial aesthetic improvements at the time.

The new sign and facade improvements are part of the City of Utica’s Downton Revitalization Initiative award, which New York State announced in 2019. The letters were a part of the City’s application and winning plan.

The sign and façade were brought from concept to reality by March Associates Architects and Planners PC, which engineered the finalized plans. 

Utica Mayor Robert M. Palmieri said: “The new UTICA sign will glow and inspire pride in our growing city. It will help bring awareness to important causes, mark significant holidays and market the City of Utica well beyond our borders. I couldn’t be happier with the job that all of our local partners did and the work that my staff put into making this concept a reality.” 

Joe Salerno, owner of National Building & Restoration Corp.: “National Building & Restoration Corp completed the full structural renovation and repair to the Utica place Garage and we are happy to also be a part of the new Utica sign and decorative metal siding now added to this showpiece for our city.”