November 15, 2024
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Utica retail plaza on a timeline to open in May

Construction expected to be complete by mid-December

By Tom Collins
A few tasks remain at the Market on Mill, seen here Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. The main item is getting the electrical work done. "We still have to run power to all the buildings and get all the new street light poles wired and installed," Mayor David Stewart said. "That work will begin this week."

A few tasks remain at the Market on Mill, seen here Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. The main item is getting the electrical work done. "We still have to run power to all the buildings and get all the new street light poles wired and installed," Mayor David Stewart said. "That work will begin this week." (Scott Anderson)

Utica Mayor David Stewart confirmed Thursday construction of the Market on Mill, the village’s outdoor retail plaza, should be completed by mid-December.

The retail stalls, however, won’t be occupied until spring. Stewart said he’s unsure whether electrical service will be completed, making it more prudent to aim for spring opening.

“At this point, I don’t plan on doing any rental agreements until spring,” Stewart said. “The goal would be able to have tenants go into their units on April 1. The first weekend in May is likely to be the first weekend we’ll be open.”

The village is building an open-air shopping venue with portable retail stalls modeled after Batavia and Muskegon, Michigan.

The village obtained a $1.25 million grant and committed another $250,000 to the project. Stewart has said the remaining $343,000 would be obtained later, and as the project progresses, likely from the tax increment financing and water-sewer funds. There will be no tax increase.

Want to do some holiday shopping at Utica's forthcoming outdoor retail plaza? Mayor David Stewart said he hopes the project will be completed in early to mid December, leaving shoppers a few weeks to buy presents for their families. Crews from the Utica Public Works department are building wooden decking on the corners of the site next to the huts at the Market on Mill, seen here in an aerial photo Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024.

Crews from the Utica Public Works department are building wooden decking on the corners of the site next to the huts at the Market on Mill, seen here in an aerial photo Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Scott Anderson)

Crews from the Utica Public Works department are building wooden decking on the corners of the site next to the huts on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, downtown Utica. A total of 12 portable retail stalls occupy the Market on Mill in downtown Utica. The retail plaza is expected to be completed in early to mid December.

Crews from the Utica Public Works department are building wooden decking on the corners of the site next to the huts on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in downtown Utica. A total of 12 portable retail stalls occupy the Market on Mill. The retail plaza is expected to be completed in early to mid December, with businesses opening by May 2025. (Scott Anderson)

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