MAYOR PALMIERI ANNOUNCES RENAMING OF UTICA

BUSINESS PARK

Business Park to be Renamed in Honor of Former Mayor Louis D. LaPolla

& John C. Ford

Mayor Robert Palmieri today announced the Utica Business Park will be renamed the “LaPolla & Ford Business Park” in honor of former Utica Mayor Louis D. LaPolla and John C. Ford.  

As part of the ceremony, the Mayor unveiled new signage at the Burrstone and French Road entrances of the Business Park.  

In 1986, the city’s Zoning Ordinance was amended in order to permit the development of the 80-acre property (which was the Utica College Golf Course) for a campus style business park. 

In 1987, final plans for the business park were approved by the city.  Over the past three decades, the Utica Business Park has been an economic driver for our community and region.     

Mayor LaPolla and Mr. Ford, who served as Vice President/Treasurer of Utica College at that time, were instrumental in creating the business park and encouraging businesses to remain in Utica.  

The renaming of the Business Park to honor Mayor LaPolla and Mr. Ford was unanimously supported by the Utica Common Council on March 20, 2019 with Councilman Mark Williamson as the lead sponsor.       

Mayor Palmieri stated, “The renaming of the Utica Business Park in honor of Mayor

LaPolla and Mr. Ford is a fitting tribute to their tireless efforts to support Utica

businesses and their love for our community.  Without their vision, the Utica Business Park would not have been realized.”

Mayor LaPolla stated, “This Business park, formerly the Utica College golf course, has been one of the economic efforts of my previous administration. This honor means a lot to me and my family, I know that Andrea is looking down happily at this dedication.  I thank Mayor Palmieri and the Members of the Common Council, especially Councilman Mark Williamson, for recognizing this effort as the park has been essential to the economic growth of the city, community and region.”

1. Mark Ford (son of John C. Ford) stated, “My father, John C. Ford, grew up in and spent his entire life in Cornhill. His love for Utica was almost as great as his love for Utica College, where he dedicated 42 years. In his dual capacity of Vice

President/Treasurer, he used his intimate knowledge of the college’s finances and keen eye for opportunity to solve problems.  By proposing to the city to sell them the Utica College Golf course, the college got needed capital to buy the Ramada Inn (Burrstone House) for dormitory space and the city finally got a location for their long sought business park.  The entire Ford Family appreciates this honor the city of Utica is bestowing upon him.”