Governor Cuomo Announces Groundbreaking of $44 Million Nexus Center in Downtown Utica
Statement
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the groundbreaking of the $44 million Nexus Center in downtown Utica. The 169,440-square-foot tournament-based recreation and sporting complex will be utilized primarily for ice hockey, box lacrosse, soccer and other field sports, and will draw competitive youth teams from across the U.S. and Canada. The Nexus Center is projected to host 24 hockey and 24 lacrosse tournaments each year and is projected to see more than 320,000 annual visitors who will spend more than $26 million a year during their stay in the Mohawk Valley Region. The project is expected to be completed by December 2020.
"The Nexus Center is a key component of our bold vision to generate economic growth in Utica and the entire Mohawk Valley by boosting tourism and creating more opportunities for New Yorkers," Governor Cuomo said. "This exciting milestone puts us one step closer to transforming downtown Utica into a world-class destination for visitors from all over the country and the globe."
The Governor also announced an outdoor winter festival will be held at Griffiss Business and Technology Park in December 2020 to support state and regional tourism marketing initiatives. The Winter Festival, which commemorates the Park's 25th anniversary, will coincide with the grand opening of the Nexus Center and will host the first ever Major Arena Soccer League outdoor game featuring Utica City FC. Mohawk Valley Garden will also erect a portable, state-of-the-art ice rink at Building 100 at Griffiss Park that will the first ever outdoor American Hockey League game between the Utica Comets and the Syracuse Crunch on February 13, 2021.
This approximately $44 million Nexus Center will be part of the U-District, the region's emerging arts and entertainment district, will have three sheets of ice and will be located adjacent to the Adirondack Bank Center, the home of the American Hockey League's Utica Comets, Utica College men's and women's hockey programs and the Utica Jr. Comets youth hockey organization. The ice can be easily transformed into field-based surfaces to attract sports that can be performed on a turf playing surface. In addition, the Nexus Center will feature more than 25 locker rooms, commercial office space, college classroom space, retail space, food and beverage services and other multi-purpose training space.
Additionally, Empire State Development Chairman Howard Zemsky today visited the Cree Mohawk Valley Fab in Marcy, which will be home to the world's largest silicon carbide device facility. The project is scheduled to break ground later in the spring. Video of the project is available on YouTube here and in TV quality (h.264, mp4) format here, and renderings are available here. Governor Cuomo first announced the $1 billion public-private partnership with Cree, Inc. in September 2019. The partnership will create more than 600 jobs at the Marcy Nanocenter on the SUNY Polytechnic Institute campus near Utica.
The Nexus Center will focus on out-of-town tournament participants year-round, while catering to local athletes during the week for practices and training. When the facility is not actively being used for a tournament or other event, it will function as a community sports and recreation center for area sports organizations, high schools and colleges. The connectivity of the Nexus Center to the Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium also enhances its overall regional impact and scope. Future plans for the Nexus Center include expanding to a four-season sporting center, with the potential to add outdoor multi-use sports fields to the north and into the Harbor Point area - a vision consistent with the Utica Harbor Master Plan.
In December of 2020, Mohawk Valley Garden plans to create a world-class Winter Festival at the Griffiss Business and Technology Park to coincide with the opening of the new Nexus Center. As part of the festival, Mohawk Valley Garden will erect a portable, state-of-the-art ice rink at Building 100 at Griffiss Park with temporary indoor and outdoor seating for 12,000 to 14,000 people that will host a regular season AHL Utica Comets game, as well as games featuring Utica College, local high schools and youth hockey opponents. Building 100 will transform into an innovative festival and marketplace, featuring local amenities and vendors that highlight the region's culture and livelihood. The Winter Festival will also play host to the first ever MASL outdoor game, featuring Utica City FC, as well as a concert. The $1.067 million festival is being funded in part by a $345,000 ESD Market New York grant.
A $22 million Upstate Revitalization Initiative grant was awarded last year to the Upper Mohawk Valley Memorial Auditorium Authority, matched by $22 million from Oneida County, to help fund this project. This award, along with many other additional State investments has helped transform downtown Utica as a new and exciting urban center. With the input of the Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Council and other stakeholders, the downtown neighborhoods have been reimagined as destinations for urban entertainment, recreation, sports, and entrepreneurship.
Key investments include the newly renovated Utica Memorial Auditorium which is home the Utica Comets hockey team and the Utica City Football Club of the Major Arena Soccer League; loft apartments along Genesee and State Streets and in the Bagg's Square neighborhood; a $300 million State investment to help a new hospital reshape downtown; $6 million in URI funding for Utica's Harbor Point Bulkhead Project, the last remaining infrastructure improvement needed to entice private sector development; and a $1 billion public-private partnership with Cree, Inc. that will create more than 600 jobs at the Marcy Nanocenter on the SUNY Polytechnic Institute campus near Utica. Additionally, Utica and Rome were both selected as Mohawk Valley winners of the Governor's Downtown Revitalization Initiative.
Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-designate Eric Gertler said, "The Nexus Center has an essential role to play in the reshaping of downtown Utica as a sports, arts and entertainment center and will draw visitors from all over the Northeast and Canada boosting the local economy, and will continue to make Utica an attractive place for families and young people to live, work and play."
Empire State Development Chairman Howard Zemsky said, "This important milestone for Utica demonstrates New York's continued commitment to revitalizing Upstate communities and city centers, generating new energy, investments and sustainable regional growth."
Robert Esche, President of the Utica Comets, said, "To be able to be a part of two epic projects in the Nexus Center and the 2021 AIS Empire State Classic Outdoor Game is not only humbling but also fulfilling to see how our community has banded together through sports and entertainment. I personally want to thank our Governor Andrew Cuomo for bringing our area's vision to a reality."
Senator Joseph Griffo said, "I appreciate the efforts of Rob Esche, the Upper Mohawk Valley Memorial Auditorium Authority, the local, county and state elected officials and everyone else who worked together on this project. The Nexus Center reflects contemporary trends in youth sports and further positions the community as an attractive destination for tournaments, competitions and recreational activities. Once completed, the center will draw visitors and families to the area, help to drive the local and regional economy and build upon the significant growth, development and energy that is already taking place at the Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium and in the Mohawk Valley."
Assembly Member Marianne Buttenschon said, "Located a short distance from the Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium, the state-of-the-art Nexus Center will provide a new hub for youth sports and community events. The new facility is an integral part of the Mohawk Valley's revitalization, which will attract more visitors to our region, boost consumer spending and create good-paying jobs. I want to thank the Governor for funding this important project and for putting the future of our communities and our families first."
Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. said, "With over $2 billion in private and public investment already underway, the state's partnership with Oneida County to develop the Nexus Center, is a critical next step in developing the U-District as a premiere arts and entertainment destination. I want to thank Governor Cuomo for his continued confidence and investment."
Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri said, "The Nexus Center will connect all four corners of our City to Harbor Point, attract tourists and become a staple in the City of Utica for generations to come. The revitalization of our City is well underway, and the Nexus Center is one of the cornerstones of our bright future. The contributions of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Oneida County, the City of Utica and the Upper Mohawk Valley Memorial Auditorium Authority illustrate the strong partnerships that are helping us forge a new dawn in Utica."
Utica College President Laura Casamento said, "We are very excited to participate in this extraordinary showcase of Oneida County and upstate New York. We are grateful to Rob Esche and his team for inviting us to be part of what will be a very memorable weekend. This is an incredible opportunity, and we are fortunate to provide this unique experience to our students, alumni, and fans."
Chris Nikolis, EVP, Business, AHL, said, "Utica has grown one of the most passionate and die-hard fan bases in the AHL since the Comets came to town seven years ago. This outdoor game next February will add another memorable chapter to the franchise's history, as well as to one of our league's best rivalries."
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