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For Immediate Release: January 6, 2026

City of Utica Announces Shared Services Agreement with PeopleFirst for Demolition Services

People First is embarking on Asset Management Project (AMP) 1, reconstructing over 400 apartments

across the Adrean Terrace Complex, F.X. Matt Apartments, and N.D. Peters Manor. The project entails

major demolition that through collaboration amongst the city administration, PeopleFirst, and their

board it was found that PeopleFirst – being the historical Utica Municipal Housing Authority allows for a

shared servicing agreement to collaborate on the project for demolition services, providing substantial

labor opportunities for the City of Utica demolition team and the ability for PeopleFirst to pay for the

demolition at the shared services rate typical through municipal agreement, reducing the overall cost of

the redevelopment project.

Mayor Galime stated, “any situation where the City is paid for departmental work and expertise while

providing shared services to a municipal partner is a win. It reduces the pressure on the property tax

levy. This collaboration lessens the cost of the vastly needed redevelopment of these affordable units

within our city. The ability to assist PeopleFirst in their success is paramount. We are working together

for the good of the community.”

Bob Calli, Executive Director of People First provided that, “an important dynamic in measuring the

strength and attributes of a community is to gauge the level of collaboration that exists between

municipal agencies and community-based organizations. In 2026, PeopleFirst shall embark on two

transformative housing endeavors which shall enhance the quality of life within our neighborhoods.

With both projects necessitating demolition services, Mayor Galime took the opportunity, on a proactive

basis, to suggest that the city and PeopleFirst enter into a shared services agreement to allow the

respective parties to negotiate that demolition be performed by the Department of Public Work’s

demolition crew in accordance with its demolition cost schedule. From People First’s perspective, yet

another example of inter-municipal partnership at work within the City of Utica.”