u/trophyguy

The beginning of this is kind of funny. There is a big concern about the feral cat population that has been moved (?) to Harbor Point.

https://www.youtube.com/live/ua9vA8yFi0c?si=96P_isFQ2jIiBuuP&t=391

Also talking about the fireworks being moved there this year later on.

The Saga of the South Utica Fire Houses Part II. From the Utica Fire Department Historical Society FB Page

A Historical Perspective

In 1993 the city contracted with the MMA Consulting Group, Inc. of Boston, MA to conduct a comprehensive review of fire department operations. In February of 1993 they released a comprehensive report with dozens of recommendations. One of those recommendations was to consolidate Fire Stations 4 (Woodlawn Ave.), 9 (Shepherd Pl.), and 7 (Oneida Square) at a location near the Memorial Parkway on Genesee St. It should be noted that this recommendation was made in the context of a daily staffing of 31 firefighters (today it’s 23) and an Engine Company at Central (which is no longer in service today). The report referenced the poor condition of Shepherd Place. While many of the recommendations in the report were adopted there was no movement on station consolidation.

In 1996 Mayor Edward Hanna proposed a massive reduction in the compliment of the fire department. Despite a contentious debate, the Common Council passed an ordinance reducing the department’s complement from 181 members to 130. As part of this reduction Station 4 on Woodlawn Ave. was closed on August 20, 1996 and Engine 4 was relocated to the Station on Shepherd Place. Truck 4 was removed from service and Truck 1 was moved from Oneida Square to Shepherd Place. After this move minor repairs were made to the Shepherd Pl. station, including new windows, a new house watch area (done by the firefighters while on duty), and some repairs to the 2nd floor bathroom.

Due to concerns about the stability of the apparatus floor on December 7, 2001 Engine 4 and Truck 1 were moved to Station 7 on Oneida Square and Rescue 1 was moved into Shepherd Place. Engineers were brought in and shoring was placed under the floor and Truck 1 moved back in on January 30, 2002.

Unfortunately, the apparatus floor was not sealed and water continued to infiltrate the concrete and eventually the new steel that was brought in to shore up the floor. Engine 4 remained at Oneida Square after this.

More minor repairs were made over the years to Shepherd Place, including a new roof, new heat and air conditioning, new kitchen, new officer’s bathroom, and the removal of steel doors under the apparatus and the instillation of drains in the floor.

In 2013 the department and city were presented with an opportunity to possibly obtain federal funding for the replacement and or repair of fire stations. With the support of Mayor Palmieri, a fire department committee was established and funding was pursued from the common council to fund a feasibility study. The Hueber Breuer (HB) Construction Co. of Syracuse was retained for $80,000.00 to conduct the study with the hope of leveraging federal and state funding. HB had great success around the country with fire station funding and it was hoped that Utica would be able to take advantage of that. Working with a fire department committee a thorough evaluation, including condition of apparatus, stations, and equipment was completed. This massive 3 volume study laid out a plan to construct two new fire stations that would be strategically located and would replace all three of the hundred plus year old facilities (Whitesboro St., Shepherd Pl., Fire Academy on Wetmore St.) the department was using. The Shepherd Place station was highlighted as critical to be replaced.

Unfortunately, the study and its recommendations did not receive support from Fire Chief Brooks or the Common Council. It was placed on the shelf, along with the previous two studies, where it sits today.

On May 12, 2026 while backing into quarters the members of Truck 1 heard what they thought was a cracking sound. This was reported to department command staff and an engineer was brought in to look at the floor and support system. The engineer recommended that no apparatus be parked on the floor until a proper engineering study be conducted. Truck 1 was moved to Station 7 (Park Ave.) and Truck 3 reserve was moved to Station 5 in north Utica. As of today, the city is waiting for the results of the engineering report. Fire Chief Ingersoll has stated that he wants a short-term plan to make repairs and get the station operating again and a long-term plan to replace the station.

Continuing the talk about the South Utica Firehouse. Interesting stuff here.

Posted by the Utica Fire Department Historical Society on Facebook.

The Saga of the South Utica Fire Houses Part I

A Historical Perspective

On September 6, 1915 Engine Co. 9 entered service in a new fire house located at 29 Shepherd Place. This was the first fire house in the city to be built specifically for motorized apparatus. There were never horse drawn apparatus in this house. This house was a modern fire house for its day and the pride of the department. Later in 1915 Truck Co. 4 was placed in service at this house and both companies served south Utica to the then New Hartford line. As south Utica continued to grow a new fire house was constructed at 15 Woodlawn Ave. West in 1929. On December 20, 1929 Engine Co. 12 was placed in service at this house and would serve south Utica with Engine 9 and Truck 4.

In 1974 due to a change in the working hours of firefighters Engine Co. 9 at Shepherd Place was taken out of service. This left Truck Co. 4 (Shepherd Pl.) and Engine Co. 12 (Woodlawn Ave.) to serve the residents of south Utica. Also, in 1974 a report on the fire department was conducted by Mr. Warren Y. Kimball, a known fire service consultant. His report was a thorough review of all operations of the department, including fire house conditions and locations. One of his recommendations was to close the Woodlawn Ave. house and move Engine Co. 12 to Shepherd Place. He also recommended that the Shepherd Place location be retained as it was in a good location to protect not only south Utica but the rest of the city. He did recommend that the building be REPAIRED, although he was not specific to what repairs would be needed. This recommendation was never followed through on and both fire houses continued operating as they had in the past.

Shortly after taking the reins as Fire Chief in 1984 Robert Manfredo revived the consolidation plan of south Utica’s fire houses. With support from Mayor Louis LaPolla he began a survey of possible locations for a new consolidated Engine House that would house both Engine 4 (old Engine 12) and Truck 4. On July 2, 1986 the Common Council adopted Bond Ordinance #167 in the amount of $700,000.00 to be used for the construction of a new fire station. Multiple locations were proposed for the new station including – the end of Merrilline Ave. near Gilmore Village, French Road across from Chanatry’s next to the railroad tracks, and in a vacant lot behind what was then Quinn, Ryan, and Nunn Funeral Home (Sunset Ave. next to the Our Lady of Lourdes Church parking lot.) All of these locations were intensely debated by the fire chief, common council and mayor. All of these locations were rejected, mainly because of the increase in response times that would occur. Common Councilors Roger Amodio, and Howard Welch, who represented the districts the old fire houses were in originally supported the construction of the new fire house. After a time however, both became increasingly concerned that by combining the two fire companies into one location it would be easy to eliminate one of them, reducing the amount of apparatus in service and the number of firefighter’s on duty. Utica Professional Firefighters President Dan Donaldson publicly came out against the consolidation plan, instead recommending that both old stations be renovated. He feared that consolidation would eliminate a fire company. It should be noted that no one from the city administration ever denied the claim of reducing fire companies by consolidating the stations.

In 1988 in an effort to move the plan forward architectural firm Lyle Howard Brown Associates conducted a study for $1500.00 showing that the cost to renovate both stations was $949,000.00 vs. $861,500.00 for a new station.

On August 2, 1989 Councilman Amodio submitted ordinance #13 to abandon the construction of the new south Utica fire station. In an editorial dated September 20, 1989 Fire Chief Manfredo officially gave up on a new consolidated fire station. No action was taken on renovations either and the stations conditions continued to deteriorate. It is still a mystery what happened to the $700,000.00 that was bonded for. Although former Comptroller Bob Nelson had stated that the money was never spent and was used to pay off the bond.

Stay tuned for part II.

Next week is the Oneida County History Center Telethon.

This year is especially meaningful as we prepare to celebrate the History Center’s 150th anniversary alongside the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. What a powerful reminder of how important it is to preserve our local history for future generations.

● Wednesday, May 20th

● 5 PM to 8 PM

● Watch live on WUTR-TV or stream online at CNYHomepage.com

As a nonprofit organization that does not receive annual government funding, the History Center relies on community support to continue its mission. Zero dollars are contributed from The City Of Utica or Oneida County. The City does do some in kind work from time to time though.

Every donation made during the telethon directly supports Educational outreach & teacher workshops, Archival preservation, Exhibits, Internships, Research, programming, and so much more

The goal is to raise $50,000+ to help preserve Central New York history and continue serving our community for generations to come.

You can donate anytime here: Oneida County History Center

I saw this on the future projects for the NYS DOT here. The bridge over the Sauquoit Creek on Oriskany Blvd and Main Streets will be replaced in 2028. Looks like the 2 bridge ramps over Oriskany Boulevard are getting removed. Odds are there will be a roundabout there instead. I know how much everyone likes those 😄

https://preview.redd.it/2k9etkunfizg1.png?width=728&format=png&auto=webp&s=3962bddfe2c5e5c0258a189173bd59a378a25eda