Destito Announces Grants For Utica And Rome Green Projects

Utica, NY (WIBX) - The City of Rome will receive $660,000 to convert a former parking lot into a public boat launch on the Erie Canal. That's according to Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito who says the nearly $1 million dollar construction project will also be designed to handle nearly 100-percent of storm water runoff from the site and include other innovative green technologies like LED lighting and "functioning green spaces." The boat launch is being constructed at the former Rod Mill site near the abandoned General Cable site.

The City of Utica is also getting a financial boost for its $825,000 Urban Green Infrastructure Project. Utica will receive $401,000 to cover part of the cost. Destito says the grant comes on the heels of another incentive in the same monetary amount, and the Assemblywoman added that combined, the funding will cover most of the cost of the project.

In a released statement Destito said, "The grants are another example of New York State helping municipalities and businesses convert former Brownfields into projects that help  revitalize communities." She goes on to say that, "Both projects will help improve the water quality of the entire area, while improving the physical appearance of visible locations in the center of the two cities." The funding for the green projects comes from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation, (EFC).