Market on Mill retail plaza in Utica nears completion

Project went 3.5% over budget, engineer says

The Village of Utica is nearing completion on the Retail Plaza site on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024 downtown Utica. Crews from the Utica Public Works department are building wooden decking on the corners of the site next to the huts. The Retail Plaza is expected to open in 2025. — The Market on Mill retail project in Utica is winding down and will be ready for spring opening. This photo was taken of the project Nov. 12, 2024. (Scott Anderson)

December 20, 2024 at 4:58 am CST

The Market on Mill retail project in Utica is winding down and will be ready for a spring opening.

Village Engineer Kevin Heitz provided an update Thursday on the outdoor retail plaza. Although the project is projected to go 3.5% over budget, Heitz said he’s pleased with the work completed.

“The project as a whole looks good,” Heitz told the Utica Village Board. “Overall, I’m really happy with the final result.”

“The project as a whole looks good. Overall, I’m really happy with the final result.”
— Kevin Heitz, Utica village engineer

The village is building an open-air shopping venue with portable retail stalls modeled after Batavia and Muskegon, Michigan. The majority of the work was paid for through a $1.25 million Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets capital grant.