Latest news with #OneidaCountyDepartmentofPlanning
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Oneida County releases Cornhill revitalization plan
UTICA, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) — Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente released a revitalization plan for Utica's Cornhill neighborhood on Tuesday that intends to turn it into a safer community. The plan — released on Wednesday, June 4 — was developed in conjunction with the city of Utica and the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties and created by the Oneida County Department of Planning. It outlines investments in infrastructure, enhancements and improvement to support the redevelopment in the neighborhood. 'The people of Cornhill deserve the same investment, care and opportunity as every other neighborhood in our county,' Picente said in a statement. 'This plan takes meaningful steps to deliver safe streets, inviting public spaces and vital infrastructure that connects residents to jobs, housing and community life. It's not just about fixing streets or planting trees. It's about building a Cornhill that honors its past, serves its present and secures a better future for generations to come.' Several projects have been identified along key roads in Cornhill, including James, West and South Streets. Projects have also been identified in high-impact areas such as Kemble Park and the West Street Impact Center. Some priorities of the plan include: Development of gateway nodes at key intersections, Activation of underused public areas with lighting, seating, art and programming, Improvement of pedestrian and transit access, and Establishment of a unified maintenance strategy with the city to ensure long-term maintenance of the sites. Proposed projects include the establishment of activity centers in the neighborhood to improve pedestrian and bicycle accommodations. The plan also proposes an 'urban fitness trail,' which would encircle the Memorial Parkway, as well as several corridors from the Parkway into the city. 'An initiative of this magnitude takes collaboration, partnership and a continued eye on the needs and wants of the residents in Cornhill to ensure equity, opportunity and lasting impact,' Alicia Fernandez Dicks, President/CEO of the Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, said in a statement. 'Oneida County's improvement plan for the neighborhood compliments the greater Cornhill Revitalization Project by looking beyond the Impact Centers to the streets, accessibility and safety components that will surround them. We commend the County for leading this study as it will ensure that all facets of neighborhood revitalization are implemented, ensuring a strong and vibrant future.' The plan also emphasizes a phased, fundable approach, which will guide future grant writing, partnerships and capital planning. You can check out the full plan for the revitalization of the Cornhill neighborhood below: CornhillPlan_DigitalDownload Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Picente: More than 6,000 new homes needed by 2040
UTICA, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) — In a new report from Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente, over 6,000 new homes will be needed in the county by 2040. The County's Housing Inventory Assessment — which was commissioned by Picente in the summer of 2023 — aimed to address the needs of the county in housing options. The assessment was conducted by the Oneida County Department of Planning, along with UP Development Planning. The assessment included an online survey, which was presented on Thursday, March 13 at the MVCC ThINCubator in Utica. Highlights of the report include the following: a total of 6,070 new housing units will need to be created by 2040 to meet market demand. A majority of those homes will be required in the next five years. Senior housing should account for nearly half of new construction. Included in those 6,070 new housing units are 2,240 new homes for younger homeowners, supported by employment-driven housing demands. 16 percent of all homeowners and 39% of all renters spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing. For 78% of renters earning less than 30 percent of the area's median income, over 50% of their income goes towards housing. The report also lays out five goals, 13 strategies and 34 potential steps to take for the county. Those steps include: PILOTs, infrastructure coordination and technical support for pro-housing municipalities. Innovative examples of financing such as density bonuses and reduced regulations and fees, as well as the elimination of parking requirements and infill investment programs. Assisting seniors through handyman and aging gracefully programs. Stabilizing current housing stock through vacant property and lot inventories, housing trust funds, landbanks and creation of NYS-backed programs such as the Vacant Rental Improvement Program and home improvement programs. 'The findings of this report confirm what we've long recognized—Oneida County is growing, and we must take strategic action to meet the housing needs of our residents now and in the future,' Picente said in a statement. 'This comprehensive assessment provides a roadmap for ensuring that we have the right mix of housing to support our workforce, our seniors, and our families. By working together with developers, municipalities, and community stakeholders, we can implement innovative solutions that will enhance affordability, stability, and opportunity across our county.' You can check out the full report online at the link here. A full story map of the process can be found at the link here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
