Utica’s Redevelopment Tour Inspires Little Falls Mayor Deborah Kaufman

Utica, NY – On Friday, June 27, 2025, Little Falls Mayor Deborah Kaufman joined a curated tour of Utica’s revitalized downtown, organized by Delores Caruso of the New York State Department of Labor Office of External Affairs.

The tour, spanning from 10 AM to 2 PM, showcased Utica’s remarkable 13-year transformation, introducing Mayor Kaufman to the developers, investors, and civic leaders behind the city’s resurgence.

The itinerary included stops at key redevelopment sites, highlighting a blend of affordable and market-rate housing, historic preservation, and mixed-use developments that have breathed new life into Utica’s urban core.

Mayor Kaufman, reflecting on the experience, praised Utica’s collaborative approach: “Utica’s 13-year transformation is a testament to the power of collaboration. Meeting the visionaries behind Bagg’s Square’s revival was truly inspiring. A dedicated group of 15-20 like-minded leaders drove the adaptive reuse of vacant industrial buildings into premier residential spaces, skillfully blending affordable and market-rate housing while preserving historic charm.”

The tour began at Utica Coffee (92 Genesee Street), where Mayor Kaufman, Utica Mayor Mike Galime, former Utica Mayor Palmieri and a group of stakeholders, including developers, Empire State Development (ESD) representatives, and local visionaries like Frank DuRoss and Rob Esche, gathered for introductions over coffee.

Caruso, explained the tour’s purpose: “Carly Rightmier and I have been meeting with [Mayor Kaufman] on a regular basis… We decided the mayor should come here. You could talk about this till you’re blue in the face, but until you see a small city, which we are, just like you, transform… it’s different.”

The group proceeded to The Sullivan (70 Genesee Street), a mixed-use development, for a discussion in the Barton and Loguidice Board Room. ESD led a conversation on funding sources, including Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) grants, historic tax credits, and private investments.

Attendees toured a Sullivan apartment, showcasing modern living spaces integrated into a historic framework. Utica’s strategic use of DRI funds, part of a $10 million award in 2019, has catalyzed projects like The Sullivan, with most of the 16 DRI-funded initiatives now complete.

Next, the group visited 311 Main Street, once the deteriorating Children’s Museum, now transformed into luxury apartments and home to the acclaimed eatery, The Tailor & The Cook. This project exemplifies Utica’s commitment to adaptive reuse, turning blighted properties into vibrant residential and commercial hubs.

Caruso noted the momentum created by such developments: “When The Tailor & The Cook became a buster out there… you get that kind of momentum.”

Lunch at Brooklyn Pickle (600 State Street) was paired with a tour of the Utica Steam Cotton Building, another mixed-use project blending residential and commercial spaces.

This stop highlighted Utica’s focus on creating walkable, vibrant neighborhoods, a priority echoed in Mayor Kaufman’s remarks about Bagg’s Square’s pedestrian-friendly revival.

The tour continued to 700 Broad Street, an affordable housing complex with wraparound support services, led by People’s Choice CEO/President Bob Calli. Operated by the Municipal Housing Authority (MHA), this development addresses the needs of residents with disabilities, offering modern amenities and community spaces.

Caruso praised its inclusive design: “There’s a lot of people with different challenges here, but it’s beautiful.”

The final stop was DePaul The Starting Line Apartments (1914 Dwyer Ave), an affordable housing community for veterans and seniors aged 55 and over.

This project underscores Utica’s commitment to diverse housing options, aligning with Governor Kathy Hochul’s $25 billion Housing Plan, which has created or preserved over 1,300 affordable homes in Oneida County in the past five years.

Utica’s redevelopment success stems from strategic partnerships and innovative financing. Projects like the Olbiston Apartments, a $67 million rehabilitation completed in 2024, preserved historic Romanesque Revival architecture while creating 153 energy-efficient, affordable homes.

Similarly, Artspace Utica Lofts, a 43-unit affordable housing development for artists, began construction in 2023, funded in part by a $1.27 million New York State Council on the Arts grant.

Bagg’s Square, a focal point of the tour, has seen significant investment, including a $13 million market-rate housing project on Whitesboro Street, developed by Purcell Construction Corp. and Riedman Development.

The sale of Urban Renewal Agency properties in this area has spurred private investment, creating 129 residential units and expanding the city’s tax base.

Caruso emphasized the role of visionaries like Frank Elias, who transformed Utica Coffee into a downtown anchor, and Frank DuRoss with Rob Esche, whose revitalization of the Utica Memorial Auditorium sparked a hockey-driven economic resurgence.

“When Rob appeared on the scene… he brought the auditorium to what you see now,” Caruso said, noting the state’s support through Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) funding.

Mayor Galime, hosting the tour, highlighted Utica’s broader vision: “Each year, Munson and other institutions are a clear part of Utica’s downtown activities… With initiatives like these, we are marking our future as a renewed landmark in our community.”

For Mayor Kaufman, the tour offered actionable insights for Little Falls, which received and signed its own $10 million DRI award in 2024.

Projects like the Main Street Canopy redesign and waterfront redevelopment are poised to enhance Little Falls’ downtown, drawing inspiration from Utica’s model.

Kaufman’s takeaway was clear: “Selecting the right developers is critical.”

Her visit underscored the potential for small cities to leverage collaboration, state support, and private investment to achieve transformative growth.

As Utica continues to evolve, its story serves as a blueprint for communities like Little Falls, proving that with the right vision and partnerships, small cities can achieve big dreams.