BUD: Sense Of Place Is Critical

If we are to bulldoze a large portion of Downtown Utica, to repair pipes and build a hospital, Utica needs to realize MUCH will be lost. And it will never be able to be corrected.

We must think about Utica's "Sense of Place".

"To take all the elements that go to create the environment: buildings, trees, nature, water, traffic, advertisements and so on, and to weave them together in such a way that drama is released. For a city is a dramatic event in the environment." Townscape, Gordon Cullen, 1961

For a relatively small investment (compared to the proposed $750 million hospital), Utica could help facilitate the restoration of the buildings in the scene below...

If we did, people would flock to see the old Utica! If we don't, imagine the scenarios playing-out today. Imagine outsiders, such as a hospital architect, an Albany politician, or even locals, but not "Utica downtowners", if they drove through the Columbia-Lafayette Neighborhood. They might jump to the wrong conclusion, especially if told beforehand the area is blighted and empty.

Then think about how quick observations, and hasty or uncaring judgements, could doom a historic portion of Downtown Utica...

Reformers have long observed city people loitering on busy corners, hanging around in candy stores and bars and drinking soda pop on stoops, and have passed a judgement, the gist of which is: "This is deplorable! If these people had decent homes and a more private or bosky outdoor place, they wouldn’t be on the street!"

This judgement represents a profound misunderstanding of cities. It makes no more sense than to drop in at a testimonial banquet in a hotel and conclude that, "If these people had wives who could cook, they would give their parties at home." Jane Jacobs, The death and life of great American cities, The Modern Library, New York 1961 & 1993

To a rash and judgemental eye, the current Columbia-Lafayette Neighborhood might look considerably tarnished. However, if one pauses and imagines new streets, sidewalks, lamp posts, and planted trees - owners empowered by leadership and favorable financing - as well as an overarching plan (say one called, a "Better Utica Downtown"), supported by the logo below and the actions of others... well surrounding villages, towns and shopping areas would not be able to compete with Utica's authentic "Sensor of Place"!

BUD says we must celebrate people; their companies, efforts and buildings. Individuals who have, for the past 10-15 years or so, been building the "New Downtown Utica".

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