Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer urged the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to approve an $8 million proposed plan submitted by the City of Utica under his recommendation and guidance. The plan would address Downtown Utica's longstanding combined sewer issue, one that has impeded business development and other infrastructure projects for years, and was exacerbated by Tropical Storm Irene. The project would stretch nearly five miles, with a central focus being a one-mile downtown strip that is surrounded by businesses and important anchor streets of downtown. The City’s work, open to further community input, includes proposed sanitary and storm water sewer separations, rebuilt streets, new curbing and sidewalks, and other city-conceived improvements. Schumer notified the city about this possible funding stream shortly after he successfully fought to make Oneida County eligible under the official Presidential disaster declaration, based on the damage sustained during Tropical Storm Irene.
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