(rshsdepot) Utica, NY

[Bernie Wagenblast <brwagenblast_@_comcast.net>]

Links:
http://utica.topcities.com/v1/Union_Station-1920.jpg  (interior 1920)
http://www.norwich.net/~pstrany/row/nyc/nyc003.jpg  (historic exterior)
http://www.norwich.net/~pstrany/row/utica/ut004.jpg  (recent exterior)
http://www.norwich.net/~pstrany/row/utica/ut002.jpg  (recent exterior)
http://www.norwich.net/~pstrany/row/utica/ut003.jpg  (recent interior)
http://www.cityusa.net/trainland/gallery1/uticastation.JPG  (recent
interior)
http://www.oneidacounty.org/oneidacty/gov/dept/planning/UnionStation.html
(info on Union Station)

Landmark Union Station moves ahead
April 18, 2002

By PATRICK GANNON
Observer-Dispatch

UTICA - After nearly $18 million in renovations over the past decade, Union
Station is chugging full-steam ahead with new tenants, the Adirondack Scenic
Railroad and a comedy club, among other developments.

Meanwhile, train ridership increased slightly while the number of bus
passengers remained steady in 2001, despite the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks
and a struggling economy.

The health of historic Union Station is considered important because it has
the potential to spur growth in the oldest section of Utica.

Oneida County Executive Ralph J. Eannace Jr. said he hopes revitalization of
Union Station will spread through the Bagg's Square area of downtown,
creating a "whole new public square," including the Children's Museum and
future ventures.

"I have a dream ... whether that could be an antique alley or farmer's
market or some type of other public use in the future," Eannace said.

Such growth likely wouldn't occur for some time. For now, however, several
recent and pending developments should increase foot traffic at the building
and beyond.

Since 1993, about $17.6 in federal, state and local funds have been
committed to the Union Station revitalization effort, county figures show.
That includes about $12.6 million for transportation-related improvements
and $5 million for office-space renovations.

The county's Department of Motor Vehicles will move from the County Office
Building to Union Station some time this summer, which will bring hundreds
of new faces to Union Station every day and could help area businesses.

"Having the DMV there is almost like having a billboard in a high visibility
area on the arterial," said John Adasek, owner of The Station Restaurant and
Martini Bar inside the train station.

Other developments:

* The county Board of Elections will move from the county building to the
train station's third floor, possibly before the end of the year.

* Throughout the summer, trains will leave Union Station on the Adirondack
Scenic Railroad for destinations in the North Country.

* The Station restaurant and bar inside Union Station recently began hosting
a comedy series on Saturday nights at its Giggles comedy club.

Union Station eventually will house the county's DMV, Board of Elections,
Planning and Probation departments and perhaps other offices.

With more foot traffic comes increased concerns about security and parking.
Eannace said he asked
Utica Mayor Tim Julian to push for more police patrols in the area, and the
mayor has responded.

"We are going to put a special emphasis on security there because we know
that has been a concern of people in the past," Eannace said.

Also, the county Board of Legislators recently passed a local law regulating
parking at Union Station. It designates specific areas for various parking
needs and provides for enforcement by the Utica Police Department.

Marlene Brown, president of the Board of Directors of the Children's Museum,
said increased foot traffic next door would help the museum, which is
capitalizing on the transportation theme with a new exhibit called
"Transportation Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow."

The display will include artifacts from the Utica fire and police
departments, the Oneida County Sheriff's Department and the Utica/Mohawk
Valley Railway Association, as well as an Outer Space exhibit, Brown said.

"That's a phenomenal marriage of two historic buildings ... of value to
families and the community," Brown said of the relationship between Union
Station and the Children's Museum. "All it is is a matter of letting people
know ... what we have."

Said Adirondack Scenic Railroad General Manager Peter Gores: "We're looking
at it as a big plus this year to be able to start the trip from that grand
old building."

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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org

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