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U District

Not the first place ever branded a "U District", however the first with no parking plan? Also, no timetable, no firm budget, nor a funding plan. Its about as transparent as MVHS's downtown hospital boondoggle, yet Oneida County Executive Picente is excited!

Learn more about Utica AUD and the Nexus Center, or read below about a proposed downtown casino, beer museum and innovation center.

January 20, 2019 - Opinion: Nexus will add new chapter to Utica story

"A view of the Nexus center in the proposed U-District in downtown Utica...

November 5, 2019 - Oneida County Executive incumbent Picente elected to fourth

"Upcoming economic development projects include construction of the Nexus sports facility, which could break ground this year, and the neighboring U-District..."

October 25, 2019 - Oneida County executive race: Picente to 'keep moving

"Nexus Center ... which could break ground this year, and the neighboring U-District, slated to be built next to the Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium."

October 4, 2019 - Picente proposes $439M Oneida County budget for 2020

"The Nexus Center is part of a larger proposal — dubbed the U-District — in which a casino and a beer museum also are proposed...

June 12, 2019 - Oneida County looking to increase 'bed tax'

Picente plans to negotiate to have a portion of the increase set aside for the Nexus Center, which is part of his proposed U-District. He believes the Nexus Center...

January 16, 2019 - The funding is coming, State budget proposal includes $22M for Nexus Center

Please visit our Nexus Center page for more details.

January 6, 2019 - Utica newspaper recaps and states, OUR VIEW: Proposed Nexus Center must be a 2019 priority. Where we hear...

"The Nexus Center is the key component of the proposed U District, first mentioned by Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente in his 2017 State of the County message." and...

"The center’s current design would include three ice rinks that can be converted into playing fields, making it a spectacular venue for hockey, soccer and lacrosse tournaments. The market, Esche believes, would be wide-ranging - even beyond New York state, going out of state to Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Boston, and out of the country to Ottawa and Toronto."

January 4, 2019 - Today on WUTQFM County Executive Tony Picente gives updates on U District, Nexus, and Downtown Utica Hospital Concept- listen to the Radio Interview where you'll hear; the Nexus property was secured, the former owner did demolition of old Tartan Textile buildings. Now the AUD Authority owns property, and in coming weeks the County Executive says the funding formula between, AUD Authority, Nexus Operators, County and the State could be worked out. Also, the U District parcels and budget (including proposed casino) "are floating out there, somewhere in space."

December 26, 2018 - Does this interview build confidence that #MVHSDowntown was well thought-out? Have a listen, as Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Talks; #MVHSDowntown Hospital & Parking, Nexus Center, AUD, And His Proposed U-District.

March 12, 2018 - Utica Comets owner Rob Esche describes support for #MVHSDowntown And U-District In A @WIBXnews Interview.

June 5, 2017 - Keith Gribbins of Craft Brewing Business writes, Utica, NY, Announces American Craft Beer & Innovation Center As Cornerstone Of New U District. And he reports...

"The space has a projected 500,000 annual visitors and the potential to create over 200 jobs, both of which add to the core goal of increasing foot traffic in downtown Utica while maximizing employment."

May 19, 2017 - Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente introduces and posts on their website, The U District presentation. The story spreads...

Projected Annual Visitors are listed; Nexus - 350,000, Beer Museum/Innovation Center - 500,000, and Utica Commons Casino - 750,000.

These figures total 1.6 million visitors, so where's the parking plan? If these visitors show-up in cars each carrying two people, spread over 365 days, that's a requirement of 2,191 parking spaces. What about the Hospital Concept?

We have a copy of the presentation here, The U District (PDF).

You can help, please join us on Facebook #NoHospitalDowntown. Also consider adding your voice to Hundreds of People Saying, "No Hospital Downtown". Get to know BUD, that's the future of the Columbia Lafayette Neighborhood!

No Studies, No Reports, thus we remain #NoHospitalDowntown

Our research is ongoing, please check back. Our research is ongoing, please check back.