Oneida awarded $10M downtown revitalization funding

ONEIDA — The city of Oneida has been awarded $10 million from New York State to breathe new life into its downtown area and make true its ideal vision.

“Our Downtown Revitalization Initiative is a critical tool to help businesses and communities in every corner of the state recover from the pandemic,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a press release. “This much-needed economic development funding will give downtown Oneida the boost that it needs to bring in new economic investment to the area. I look forward to seeing how this investment in our local economic development efforts will continue to create new jobs and transform communities across the state.”

On Tuesday, Mayor Helen Acker and the city council held a special meeting to break the news with local and county officials in attendance, including Assemblyman John Salka.

New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian Stratton was present in place of Hochul to present the check and say a few words.

“Life has been hard for all of us for the last 20 months,” Stratton said. “Our lives have been upended by the pandemic. And in one way or another, we’re still in it and recovering — all across the state and all across the country… But here in Oneida, you’ve actually gone further, and in the last 20 months, you’ve added 45 new businesses with 16 opening in the downtown.”

Stratton said these funds would help transform the city of Oneida downtown into a vibrant city center, boost the local economy, attract tourists, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for residents.

“This will let Oneida reimagine themselves for the better,” he added. “And it’s all because you all believed in yourself and believed in your plan. You never stopped working and never stopped fighting.”

This is the second time the city of Oneida has applied for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. City officials originally submitted an application in 2019 under then-Mayor Leo Matzke but could not secure the grant through its competitive process.

Salka spoke at the conference, saying this was an early Christmas present for Oneida — and a deserving one.

“We’ve seen what’s happened to downtowns over the years, but

we know the heart of communities have always been the downtown area,” Salka said. “And it’s so encouraging to know that New York State is investing in downtown areas so aggressively. And what’s done with this money will be worth its weight in gold to the quality of life for the city of Oneida residents.”

Acker thanked in particular Planning Director Cassie Rose and Community Director Barb Henderson. “They put so many hours into this [application],” she said.

The mayor also thanked everyone on the DRI Planning Committee who contributed.

There are numerous downtown projects and initiatives that Oneida is looking at, and up there near the top is Hotel Oneida. The vacant structure has been an eyesore in the community for years, but owner Bob Sullivan expressed an interest in the past with putting in market-rate and upscale apartments on the upper floors with a restaurant and banquet facility.

Oneida will now begin the process of developing a Strategic Investment Plan to revitalize its downtown with up to $300,000 in planning funds from the $10 million DRI grant. A Local Planning Committee made up of municipal representatives, community leaders, and other stakeholders will lead the effort, supported by a team of private-sector experts and state planners.

The Strategic Investment Plan will examine local assets and opportunities and identify economic development, transportation, housing, and community projects that align with each community’s vision for downtown revitalization and that are poised for implementation. The Strategic Investment Plan will guide the investment of DRI grant funds in revitalization projects that will advance the community’s vision for its downtown and leverage and expand upon the state’s $10 million investment.

Acker learned that Oneida had been chosen as a winner for the DRI on Friday, but she couldn’t tell a soul about it.

“I feel like I’m not standing on the ground,” Acker said with a laugh. However, she admitted it was hard not to cry at the sheer impact this funding would have on the city.

“Don’t worry Mayor, I’d cry too,” Stratton said.