To the Editor:
(Utica, NY – Jan. 28, 2013) Please let me first state how excited I am to present an opportunity to you, your business and your neighborhood. The City of Utica by way of my proposed legislation is taking our Economic Development to a new level by creating what we call Municipal Theme Districts. These districts will help your business in several ways. They provide several opportunities to apply for beautification grants facade work and most importantly City infrastructure repair in the given theme district.
Attached to this email are two documents, the first is a brief informational news article that gives you a description of what these “theme districts” mean to a community and the second is my proposed legislation for you to read prior to the meeting if you so choose.
Currently we are in the process of forming 2-3 districts in the Utica area and to that fact the Utica Common Councils, Urban and Economic development Committee, in which I chair, will be holding a special informational meeting for all interested parties who would like to know more.
The details of the meeting are as follows:
Date: Wednesday January 30, 2013
Time: 5:30 pm
Place: The Italian Heritage Club
644 Bleecker St
Utica, NY 13501
Topic will include:
– What exactly is a Municipal Theme District
– How can local business’s and neighbors help and get involved
– What this means to the city and the participation of the program
– Possible pilot districts
ie: Brewery/ District, International Market Place (Bleecker Street Corridor), Arts District (near MWPAI on Genesee) and historic and Scenic District in the Old Rutger Street area.
There will also be a question and answer period following the meeting with members of the Common Council and members of the Urban and Economic Development Department.
You may have also already have met the point man on this project who has worked diligently to put this meeting together, Andrew Brindisi who is with the City’s Urban Renewal Agency. he will also be on hand to speak to.
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me at the information below.
I look forward to seeing you there.
Sincerely,
Joseph A. Marino
Councilman, 4th Ward