Consultant Team & Their Role

Based upon the City of Utica Master Plan, Utica secured $250,000 in funding for development of a Master Plan specific to Harbor Point. A consultant team led by Elan Planning, Design & Landscape Architecture, PLLC was hired in 2013 and has been working with the City of Utica and the Utica Harbor Point Local Development Corporation to complete the Harbor Point waterfront plan. The consultant team was assembled with a broad array of knowledge to address the variety of issues that surround the redevelopment of the Harbor.

The plan will help the City of Utica to realize the goals defined in the Master Plan and also assist in leveraging resources to catalyze redevelopment to create a waterfront environment to invite the community to live, work and play.

The consultant team has analyzed the area land and conditions, developed a market overview, explored land-use alternatives and identified possible infrastructure improvements. Draft plans have been created to present to the public prior to construction.

Funding

Harbor Point is being funded by a combination of resources. The project received two grants totaling more than $5 million. National Grid and the City of Utica are also funding the project.

Venues & Development

In order to create the most effective use of the land and waterfront at Harbor Point, studies, interviews, and market research have been completed.

Concepts for the rejuvenated Harbor include:

  • Waking up with a view of the Harbor from waterfront lofts
  • Shopping through a variety of boutiques and shops
  • Eating at unique restaurants near all of the action
  • Watching recreational sports such as soccer or baseball

Objectives

In order for the project to be successful, the following objectives have been established:

  • Funding for public infrastructure improvements
  • Identification of economic drivers that will encourage and attract private investment
  • Creative design solutions to overcome the various constraints and impediments that are unique to these sites
  • The development of design guidelines and templates for Harbor development, especially at the Inner Harbor marina, to create the desired appearance and character of the area
  • The incorporation of natural or open-space characteristics to portions of the site that merit preservation, especially at Harbor Point where the floodway, wetlands, and landfill cap areas will restrict major infrastructure development.

 

Local Waterfront Access Plan

According to the Local Waterfront Access Plan (LWAP), the redevelopment of the Inner Harbor will “take on a stronger urban form and perhaps with aesthetically pleasing architectural details reflective of the area’s industrial past.”

Utica Master Plan

The Harbor Point project is just one of many projects coming to life from the Utica Master Plan that will create a better city for residents. These projects and others, such as Nano Utica, will reestablish Utica as a premier place to live, work, and visit.

For more information about the Utica Master Plan, visit www.uticamasterplan.org.

Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) Pre-Nomination (Step 1) Study

Part of the BOA study includes the Central Industrial Corridor: Broad Street Corridor, East and West Baggs Square, the Oriskany Street Corridor, and the Harbor District. In regard to the Harbor District, one of the key recommendations for the study is to advance planning at the Inner Harbor to include “re-programming of Canal Corporation facilities, rehabilitation of harbor walls, capping of an on-site dredge spoils area, enhancement of access roads, construction of a public marina, and the establishment of dedicated areas for private investment.”

Other Utica Projects

While there are a variety of projects happening in the Utica area, it’s important to distinguish their differences taking shape. They all work toward the common goal of revitalizing and developing the City; however, there are different groups and parties working on them. Harbor Point joins other public and private initiatives happening throughout the City of Utica including the development of North Genesee Street (Moe’s, Hoopla, Holiday Inn, etc.), Baggs Square, or Downtown Utica (Auditorium, etc.). The project is also separate from the National Grid $100 million cleanup efforts near the harbor.