| |
Draft Goals
While the steering committee has been meeting as a group to review information and discuss elements of the plan, members also formed sub-committees to focus on major aspects of the city’s lifestyle and service needs. Following are draft goals developed by the five sub-committees.
Housing & Neighborhood
Development
-
Substantially increase the percent of owner occupied housing within the city of Utica.
-
Assure access to a diversity of housing options within each neighborhood for people of all ages and income levels.
-
Assure all properties meet prevailing codes.
-
Increase the number of downtown residents.
-
Enhance personal safety and mobility along neighborhood streets.
-
Emphasize the attributes of neighborhoods that enhance their attractiveness and
usefulness.
Downtown Development
-
Provide a framework, guidelines and action plan for the arts that will contribute to creating a culturally dynamic downtown.
-
Identify ways to encourage creative partnerships and collaborations working to support a dynamic downtown with an entrepreneurial spirit.
-
Ensure a safe downtown with ample parking for residents and businesses.
-
Promote residential and mixed-use development downtown that is consistent with Utica’s heritage and architecture.
-
Provide safe, comfortable and efficient multimodal connectivity.
Infrastructure & Waterfront
Development
-
Enhance the overall quality of Utica’s physical infrastructure and municipal services.
-
Create pedestrian friendly streetscapes.
-
Create an effective transportation system, including public transit, automobiles, and
a pedestrian bike path system in the city of Utica.
-
Increase public awareness of, and public access to, the Erie Canal/Mohawk River.
-
Ensure that the waterfront and inner harbor create a destination attraction for Utica.
-
Reconnect Utica’s downtown to the waterfront.
Business & Technology Development
-
Diversify the city’s economy by attracting new business and industry to Utica through a multifaceted plan and incentives.
-
Facilitate the retention and expansion of local business and industry.
-
Create an environment that fosters
entrepreneurship.
-
Develop a skilled and educated workforce that will meet the needs of existing businesses and emerging industries.
-
Maintain the high quality of life already present in Utica and improve those elements most likely to attract young professionals.
-
Expand and capitalize on Utica’s diverse historic and cultural fabric.
-
Redevelop brownfield sites.
Parks, Recreation, Arts/Culture
& Historic Preservation
-
Introduce and reintroduce population to city parks, non-parks, and recreational facilities.
-
Use our parks system and natural areas for stimulating economic development.
-
Develop use of the Erie Canal and the Mohawk River around historic, recreational and regional objectives to stimulate economic development.
-
Formalize protection and enforcement of that protection for historic buildings and historic districts.
-
Increase public awareness of heritage tourism.
-
Develop the city’s identity as a place for artists and as a place for art.
-
Coordinate arts event to enable better marketing opportunities.
|
|
 |
