The Utica Common Council on July 2 approved a slate of resolutions endorsing state grant applications to study, plan and design redevelopment across multiple neighborhoods, including brownfield assessments, streetscape and waterfront improvements and a new citywide master plan.

Chris Lawrence, deputy commissioner of Urban and Economic Development, told the council, “It’s CFA time, which is the state’s consolidated funding application, which are due at the July,” explaining that several of the items before the council are required endorsements to submit those applications.

Why it matters: the endorsements clear the way for the city to seek funding that would pay for planning, environmental assessment and design work meant to make development easier and attract private investment. Projects on the list include neighborhood planning and demolition follow-up in Barnes Avenue; design and construction documents for Broad Street infill and streetscape work; environmental investigations in the Nexus Corridor (Bag Square West); cleanup planning for the former Miele manufacturing site and Oriskany Street West; and site-access and road planning for the former Howard Johnson parcel on Leland Avenue.

The council also approved related planning and funding requests: a New York Main Street endorsement for Flavored Layers LLC’s proposed rehabilitation at 1011 State Street (up to $500,000 requested, with a 25% match noted in the application), a Smart Growth application for an updated city master plan (up to $432,635 requested with a 10% in‑kind staff match), and a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program request for Harbor Point (up to $1.5 million, 25% match from the Utica Sewer Fund).

Separately, the council endorsed an Empire State Development Regional Council Capital Funds application to reestablish Water Street, realign Hotel Street and add green infrastructure in Bag Square West; the resolution cites a $2 million request and identifies an intended match involving Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funds and other local allocations.

All of the grant-endorsement resolutions were approved in roll call votes recorded as eight yeas and adopted. The planning office and other city staff repeatedly stressed that most requests are for predevelopment work — studies, design and construction documents — not for construction itself. Several council members asked for and were promised project details and supporting documentation (site plans, funding commitments) before larger construction decisions are made.

The approvals do not obligate the city to accept awards or to fund construction; they authorize submission of state applications and commit the city to the matches cited in each application if an award is accepted.