Uptown NY Forward Program Requests

On October 27, 2025 Utica city officials gave a presentation regarding plans for economic development in the Uptown District.  Video of the full presentation. Unfortunately, few details about properties to be included in the grant application were presented.  Costs of individual projects were not mentioned at all  After the meeting I expressed my displeasure to Deputy Commissioner Chris Lawrence , about the lack of information provided , especially financials.   He said 2 things of interest. Although the size of the grant program is only $4.5 M , the totals requested would be between $6M and $8 M. He also said that he would send me the financial information and also put it on the Utica website per my recommendation.  Below is a detailed listing of projects (including financials),that were requested via the City of Utica for the Uptown District NY Forward Program Application.  More slides here. 

I'd love to know your initial thoughts on some of these projects.  Which would you consider a must do??  Are there any that you would consider a waste of money? Lastly, are there some that you would like to see but think that they are too costly? Please send your pro and/or  con remarks to denofdiscussion@gmail.com