06/26/09 - Mayor showcases Harbor Point progress since taking office
Questions:
Angelo Roefaro
315-792-0100 |
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UTICA HARBOR POINT CLEANUP MOVES FORWARD
State and City Officials Join Together to Showcase Progress
June 26, 2009- (Utica, NY) - The mayor and state officials he invited to Utica today, including the DEC commissioner, showcased continued progress with the Utica Harbor Point remediation. The mayor was joined by New York State Department of Environmental Commissioner (DEC) Pete Grannis and New York State Canal Corporation Director Carmella Mantello and other representatives at a press conference held at Harbor Point to highlight the clean up work that has begun and the potential for economic growth that will be achieved once completed.
The Canal Corporation recently began the remediation of the area adjacent to the Utica Harbor that was contaminated by past industrial uses and periodic navigational dredging of contaminated sediments. This phase of the dredge spoil cleanup is part of National Grid's Harbor Point Site Remediation Project which will help spur economic development in Utica when completed.
Mayor Roefaro said, "This announcement showcases the cooperative efforts the City of Utica has with the DEC, National Grid, the Canal and the Thruway Authority. When I ran for mayor, I promised Uticans that we would cooperate with these agencies again and foster real working relationships. Well, we're not only here to say, we're in this together, but I'm here to report on a promise made, and a promise kept. We've begun the long awaited cleanup of the Utica Harbor. For the past 40 years, the city has talked about doing this. Well, right here, right now, the city stops talking. Today commemorates a new era for the City of Utica both economically and environmentally."
DEC Commissioner Grannis said, "This project provides a valuable opportunity to address contamination left behind by the past and enables the City of Utica to look towards the future. As cleanup work continues, DEC will be closely monitoring the progress to help ensure that environmental concerns are addressed so that this land can be restored for redevelopment and public enjoyment."
All work announced today is being done with DEC oversight and is expected to be completed by November 2009. Following the cleanup of Utica Harbor, this property will be transferred to the City of Utica, which will then seek to redevelop the site.
"After this project is complete, residents are going to be very excited to hear about the plans I have for this spot. We're moving forward, we're getting real things done, and it's all because I've communicated to Albany: We're in this together, and you know what- they get it," Mayor Roefaro said with a smile.
Mayor Roefaro stands with DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis
Its been talked about for 40 years, but now, under Mayor Roefaro, Harbor Point will be revitalized. Mayor stands with Carmella Mantello of the Canal Authority and the DEC Commissioner
