MAYOR PALMIERI ANNOUNCES SALE OF RITE AID BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN UTICA

Marks 7th Downtown City Owned Building Sold to Private Developers in Four Years

Mayor Robert Palmieri today announced the sale of the Rite Aid Building located at 167 Genesee Street in downtown to local developers Tony and Frank Cristiano, contingent upon approval from the Urban Renewal Agency and Common Council.  

The sale of the Rite Aid Building marks the 10th major commercial property the City of Utica has successfully sold to private developers in the past four years, seven of which are buildings in the downtown corridor.

167 Genesee Street (former Rite Aid Building, sold to Tony and Frank Cristiano)

520 Seneca Street (former HSBC Building, now Landmarc Building)

181 Genesee Street (former Harza Building, now Clark City Center)

310 Broad Street (former ConMed Building sold to Baggs Square Partners, LLC & Crane-Ballou)

205 Water Street (former Dickie Frank Building, now A & P Master Images)

420 Whitesboro Street (former Cosmopolitan Building, now Tony's AUDelicious Deli & Sports Bar)

171 Genesee Street (Former Catholic Book Store Building, sold to Foster-Martin)

The sale of these City owned buildings has created jobs, expanded the tax base and generated millions of dollars in private investment for downtown Utica.

Mayor Palmieri stated, “The change in culture, perception and attitude in downtown Utica over the past four years is remarkable. With each building we sell to reputable entrepreneurs, we will see continued economic development and transformation.

The Mayor continued, “I thank Tony and Frank Cristiano for once again believing and investing in Utica.”

Frank Cristiano stated, “The City of Utica is moving in the right direction under Mayor Palmieri’s watch, and I thank him for his leadership and support. We are excited to make another major investment in Downtown and continue to be a part of Utica’s revitalization.”

The plans for the building call for the ground floor to be utilized as a restaurant with the upper floors to be a combination of commercial and residential space.