UTICA — Multiple organizations have committed to allocating a total of $45 million for investments in the Cornhill neighborhood of Utica.

The investments from the city of Utica, The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, Mid-Utica Neighborhood Preservation Corporation and People First will bring two multi-purpose buildings to the neighborhood:

The Cornhill Renaissance Center, which will be located on James Street, will have 36 mixed-income residential units, a quality urban grocery, retail spaces, programming for small business owners and a recording studio and multimedia lab.

Mid-Utica Neighborhood Impact Center, which will be located on West Street, will have 60 mixed-income residential units, space for community programming, a multi-purpose gym, spaces for non-profits, a shared kitchen and retail space.

“It’s a very exciting time for Cornhill,” said Fifth District Councilor Venice Ervin, who’s district encompasses the Cornhill neighborhood. “The Fifth District is in the middle of a resurgence and this project will be the anchor of that growth. As the city grows, so will opportunity and so must the Fifth District. This is an example of that growth and this will set the foundation for more growth in the future.”

Officials say that by providing affordable housing and spaces for recreation, business and creativity, both centers will address the quality of life in the neighborhood and provide opportunities for both current and future residents.

“This work began a long time ago,” said Jawwaad Rasheed, chairman of the board of directors for The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties. “It has been intrinsic in the efforts of the people who live here and the organizations that toil with the people, to raise the level of living for the people here, they have brought this day to a possibility.”

“This is only the beginning, it’s not the end,” Rasheed added. “It’s the beginning of the collective work that we have done, the inclusive process that we have used to get to this point.”

Construction for both centers is expected to begin around spring 2023.