Thursday, April 12, 2018
LOCAL | A3
SPORTS | C1
WEDNESDAY NIGHT ACCIDENT INVOLVES POLICE OFFICER
RFA GIRLS TRACK EXTENDS WINNING STREAK TO 45
uticaod.com
@uticaOD
Facebook.com/uticaOD
observer_dispatch
$1
Eminent domain settled on hospital Oneida County, Urban Renewal would bring action for downtown Utica facility By Amy Neff Roth aroth@uticaod.com
One more question looming over the proposed downtown hospital has been
answered — who will bring eminent domain proceedings against properties in the footprint. Oneida County will, if necessary, use eminent domain to acquire properties on the site of the planned parking garage. Utica’s Urban Renewal Agency will, if necessary, acquire properties in the footprint of the rest of the 25-acre project.
The news was announced in a release by a group called New MVHospital, which is, according to its website, a coalition of the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce, Mohawk Valley EDGE, The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties and The Genesis Group. The name previously was used by a private group
Caution: Route 5S roadwork shifts gears
supportive of the new hospital. Mohawk Valley Health System Vice President of Communications and Marketing Debra Altdoerffer confirmed that the news release was written by the interested parties and contains accurate information. Oneida County will pay 60 percent of the cost of the parking garage and Utica 40 percent,
while the health system will pay to operate and maintain the garage. The health system, helped by a $300 million state grant, will pay for the $480 million hospital. More than a quarter of the 35 private property owners have signed purchase agreements See HOSPITAL, A4
LOCAL | A3
UNVEILING THE BLEECKER: SIGN OF ‘HOW FAR UTICA HAS COME’
Syria, Russia discussed at Hamilton College 2 former national security advisers speak during Common Ground program By Edward Harris eharris@uticaod.com
CLINTON — Condoleezza Rice and Susan Rice talked about Syria and Russia Wednesday night during
a discussion at Hamilton College. The Common Ground program was moderated by Andrea Mitchell, NBC’s chief foreign affairs correspondent and host of MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell Reports. It was held at Hamilton College’s Margaret Scott Bundy Field House. See PROGRAM, A4
Vehicles travel on Route 5S and Oriskany Street on Monday. [PHOTOS BY SARAH CONDON / OBSERVER-DISPATCH]
Project to remake roadway will begin on Monday By Greg Mason gmason@uticaod.com
UTICA — Starting next week, state-contracted crews will begin the transformation of a nearly one-mile portion of one of Utica’s main drags. The $16.6 million project, designed by the state Department of Transportation, will implement significant changes over a projected twoand-a-half-year period to Route 5S/Oriskany Street, from around the Adirondack Bank Center to Broad Street. Significant changes include narrowing the roadway and installing a roundabout at the John Street intersection. DOT representatives have said the goal is to reduce accidents See ROADWORK, A4
Volume 202, Issue 76 Home delivery: 315-797-9150 News tips: 315-792-5017
Condoleezza Rice, right, listens with MSNBC host Andrea Mitchell, left, as Susan Rice talks on Wednesday at Hamilton College. A combined common ground discussion between Condoleezza and Susan Rice, both former national security advisers, was held at the college. They discussed the current geopolitical landscape and national security issues. [ALEX COOPER / OBSERVER-DISPATCH]
Brian Hoffmann, regional design engineer, explains upcoming plans for the Route 5S and Oriskany Street project at the Utica State office Building.
Online Check out this story at UticaOD.com for a complete project map and a video interview in which Jim Piccola, regional New York State Department of Transportation spokesman, and Regional Design Engineer Brian Hoffmann explain the Route 5S/Oriskany Street project.
Classifieds ....................... C5 Comics ............................C9 Movies ............................. B8
Obituaries ........................ B7 Puzzles ............................C4 TV .................................. B8
N AT I O N | B 1
DEPARTING SPEAKER RYAN PRAISED FOR TAX REFORM
TO DAY
F R I DAY
SAT U R DAY
Rain 50° / 40°
A shower 55° / 42°
P.M. rain 56° / 40°