A January 2020 Visit to Utica

[@henrybednarski2491]

What a great video with lots of positive vibes! Beautiful Utica is rising! Love it! UFA 1968.

[@lynnnleistinger8226]

It's nice to see so many people in love with old city ..you should have seen it in the 60's and 70's

[@urbanphoenix1093]

Thanks for the comment, I’m sure it was grand in the heyday! What I truly think is neat is that a city can struggle, in large part due to manufacturing loss, and then be re-imagined as something very different and equally beautiful. That’s why I love to do what I do :). Take care and be well!

[@johnnyfish8273]

What ?!..... where are the chicken Riggies?!!! And the tomato pie !?? You missed some of the best food....lol. I moved out 20 years ago... and have never lost my love for the city. Lots of things have changed... but I have the optimizim that the city can make a comeback. Thanks for the memory flash back. 👍 Great video!!

[@urbanphoenix1093]

Thanks for your comment, and yes, I fell in love with the city when I visited for the first time nearly 6 years ago! Here was my first visit, and yes, there are riggies in this one haha! theurbanphoenix.com/2015/01/13/utica-new-york-a-day-of-fun-a-story-of-hope

[@jeffersonochoa1860]

Chalmers' home town (Never heard anyone use the phrase "Steamed Hams") At this time of year at this time of day in this part of the country localized entirely within your kitchen? Yes. May I see it? No.

[@dicklaurey9429]

A few years ago I was on a committee to create a "Little Italy" in downtown Portland, Oregon. Ultimately, the project did not come to fruition because the main buildings to be renovated were purchased by another corporation. Utica could make this happen: * Uticas' reputation for excellent Italian food is recognized nationally. * The city has many, block long streets, lined on both sides with unused buildings, that could be converted into restaurants, bakeries and Italian-themed stores. * Some existing businesses could re-locate to this project. * A cobblestone, pedestrian only access/egress would replace the existing street, with building facades renovated to village, Italianette architectural styles. * Second and/or third floor space could be leased to businesses, or, converted to rental apartments. * Many cities, without Uticas' fine food reputation, have a "Little Italy" section. Why not capitalize on one of your greatest assets, creating a excellent tourist attraction, while opening up many job opportunities for Uticans. * Yes, a project of this magnitude requires vision, coordination, commitment, and, of course, funding, however, the long term benefits would be well worth the effort.

[@jamesmccorkle648]

I want a little Ukraine and little Ireland in Utica please and thank you lmao

[@GorillaGlue42]

Utica basically was Little Italy when I was growing up

[@Americanidiot685]

Utica had a little Italy in east Utica which what majority Italian. But now although Italians still make up one of the largest groups in Utica, they are very spread throughout the city now. So creating a little Italy in Utica would be hard to do. A fake little Italy section downtown say in East Utica of bleaker street again could be possible. But it would not have a majority Italian population. The old little Italy of east Utica is very diverse now being made up of Dominicans, Syrians, polish, Germans, and African Americans

[@laverdadbuscador]

utica even as a city isn't nationally recognized. Its virtually unknown outside upstate ny. Let alone its food scene.

[@midori_notori]

I went to several burger joints while I was having a vacation in Utica before. And no matter who it was, they never used the phrase “Steamed Hams.”

[@cleverhardy5230]

That's because you never tried Albany.

[@lorettacaputo6997]

Once the covid pandemic is over, Utica can begin to regrow again. If you want to see some activity in the train station, go there when they have the model train meet. Table to table people...have missed that experience over the last few years because of nasty snow storms and now the pandemic.

[@TheMightycfc]

Utica where the sky’s are grey all year

[@mikeangelo9152]

I lived there as a kid back in the 80s and early 90s, you ain’t kidding. The sun does not shine there at all.

[@johnnyk8216]

Yes they are 😂

[@KevinBalch-dt8ot]

All the leaves are brown. And the sky is gray.

[@SundayPancakeBreakfast]

Apparently that played a part in Griffis AFB being built so close, a place where there was often limited visibility from the sky.

[@FarmboyIceKing]

Idk what your talking about live there till this day and they skies only gray during fall and winter anything other time it’s sunny

[@christopherdibble5872]

I used to pump gas at bud's shell, back when gas was 30 cents a gallon, and love was only 60 cents away, recapped car and truck tires at brighten general tire in Utica!

[@erickandtheourbacks1072]

Utica my next travel Vlog thanks for sharing love the commentary

[@lynnleistinger151]

I grew up in Utica 1962 - 1980 have gone back many times what train station was this Try Bleeker street

[@mikeklaene4359]

I have been wondering as what has happened in Utica. I used to get there from time to time in the mid to late '70s. I was a programmer doing software for the Cogar -> Singer -> ICL desktops that were made on Cosby Manor Road. Got sick on trip and ended up leaving my appendix at St Lukes. At that time the big point of Utica is that Annette grew up there.

[@viviangrafe9330]

Cool City 😍

[@hjohnson2413]

Don't knock Utica. It's a beautiful place to live and work. The ethnicity of Utica is what makes it such a beautiful place to live. All are welcome.

[@TheWMBWLife]

I'm glad to hear this, especially being you'd posted this only a month ago. I'm down here near Scranton, PA, an Italian stronghold, and also visit and dine in our "sister city" of Binghamton, N.Y., and I've heard a LOT about the Italian heritage of Utica. Merely about a 90 mile ride up N.Y.Route 12 from Binghamton, you've got me sold. I'm going to visit. 👍🇮🇹

[@lukeshaul820]

The farm land is very high grade and major droughts are very rare. Growing season is short though.

[@blessings1616]

Thanks for the video. I'm from Tokyo and planning to visit this place this late December.

[@hakugaming9316]

Oh yh word I’m gonna be there I never seen a Tokyo person

[@derekrohan9619]

Why would you come all the way to the US and go to Utica? I mean of all the beautiful and Amazing places you pic Utica? I urge you to think again. Nothing against utica but ..... cmon

[@sahryeamari]

@@derekrohan9619 right 😭

[@viviangrafe9330]

Nice youre featuring the City it looks like a province

[@hellen70666666]

...Nice Video----Definitely Pre-COVID, cause i see No Masks.....!!!.......And, Nice Music---Post the Songs Used.....!!!!.....

[@mallyrolla95]

this is just downtown utica. Do a video on inner city utica.

[@gussieayaz5494]

I was just going to say ...

[@totallyawesomemagazineonnb5043]

I will. I’m a filmer who lives in East Utica and loves it.

[@ckh937610]

That is the case with any decent sized American city. Utica does have nice outer city areas like North Utica, South Utica below the Parkway and even the outer parts of East and West Utica. So, it varies in terms of neighborhoods.

[@ChrisRaspanteMusic]

So happy I live here

[@jamescummings6703]

I miss home, but crime, taxes, lack of things to do, lack of real jobs and the cold keeps me away. I'm so homesick, but it has no opportunity. USA at Proctor 1991. I missed UFA by a year.

[@lynnleistinger151]

One more ...New York Mills check it out.

[@johnnyk8216]

I live there

[@yumzz999]

BRO SAME

[@wandeross4675]

Nice city buildings are like in Europe

[@motherofcats315]

❤

[@erickandtheourbacks1072]

So I spent an entire day filming in Utica the Historic district the museum the theatre residential areas and after all that work it turns out that the usb card was corrupt and I was unable to save any of my hard work:(

[@urbanphoenix1093]

Aw that’s the worst! I that happened to me once, I’m so sorry. Shoot it again and send me the the link!

[@Mukler161]

Utica is this famous I mean I I've in utica

[@totallyawesomemagazineonnb5043]

Why does this come up when I search my name and home town? You talking about me on here?

[@urbanphoenix1093]

I don’t know what your name is, but no I don’t talk about anyone specifically. It does come up when you search for Utica, so that’s probably why it’s coming up!

[@totallyawesomemagazineonnb5043]

@@urbanphoenix1093 great piece. I’m a local journalist myself... if you’re ever in town again let me know [e-mail]

[@lynnnleistinger8226]

Stanley theater saw George Carlin there youngest one there promoting 7 bad words mom took me

[@lydiaperez490]

I live in Utica

[@S3onicHed3ehog]

This is where my girlfriend lives while I live in Dallas Texas

[@JBrooksNYS]

No matter how to spin it... Utica is a sad place.

[@Person-mh6xq]

Perhaps you’re a sad person. And there it begins.

[@kevinak823]

Buffalo is making a comeback, Utica can to. Just gotta adapt which is where upstate NY as a whole failed miserably

[@laverdadbuscador]

Utica isn't as bad as I used to think it was before I moved. Yeah, kinda boring, but it seems to have quite of a bit of artisan restaurants now which is great. Only real bad thing is piss poor jobs and the salted roads will destroy your car in just 5yrs.

[@rickdaystar477]

I remember the massive potholes from Winter damage the city couldn't afford to fix... I also Oscugnizzo's pizza on Bleeker St. Been open 60+ years. The old school italian pastry shops also on Bleeker St. I always remembered the food over everything else.

[@bjj_judothrows3446]

This place still sucks here tho I live here it's so boring

[@laverdadbuscador]

@@bjj_judothrows3446 I failed to look on the bright side while I was there. 1) lots of nature. Hiking and camping is quite good there. And I live in Portland, OR. So that's saying something. 2) you have a very high amount of quality butcher's offering great hot dogs and sausage 3) cost of living is next to nothing over all 4) within driving distance to the great Lakes and 1000's Island which are awesome. Get basically an ocean without fear of sharks. Bolt Castle is pretty dope too. 5) summer only ice cream walk up windows....believe it or not but this is hard to come by in most of the US. The rest of the US is eating dairy queen which just doesn't have that same "summer" vibe 6) tomato pie and utica greens actually become something you miss. Heck even pizzareas are rare. Here pizza places typically ONLY do pizza and never deliver. I can get a good slice, but if I wanted to be lazy and get pizza, wings, and subs brought too me....forget about it 7) water safari, silven beach amusement park, and fairs quite popular there. Always fun. 9) Christmas definitely feels like christmas. Never thought I'd like snow until I don't really get it anymore. We get some here, but typically if I want snow I gotta drive 1hr to the mountains to get it. 10) herkimer diamond minds....I know, growing up I didn't really care, but outside of cny they're a pretty big deal in the metaphysics community 11) fish fry Friday's.....my wife doesn't understand why every place turns into a fish fry there.....Im from there and I don't even get it but I liked it 12) turkey joints are the best candy ever but good luck getting them anywhere but there 13) Saranac Thursdays

[@bjj_judothrows3446]

@@laverdadbuscador the only thing that i could pull from the list is the christmas thing

[@laverdadbuscador]

@@bjj_judothrows3446 why? You don't like hiking?

[@lynnnleistinger8226]

I just have to say because you have no clue it became a running joke that the road cruel had no interest of EVER fixing the roads ...and this was in the 70's

[@urbanphoenix1093]

I believe it! Losing 45% of the tax base makes is so difficult to fix major infrastructure issues like roads! The neat thing now is that more and more people are living downtown, which is changing that dynamic for the first time in 50 years!

[@logangirlforlife]

i live here & it’s not as pretty as it sounds or looks , it rly sucks here 😭

[@urbanphoenix1093]

I understand where you are coming from. Every city definitely has its good and bad. I think the important thing is to look at where your city is getting better, see the people who are trying to make it better, etc. It’s easy to make a blanket statement that your city sucks… but I assure you there are great things happening in Utica and I see it every time I visit!

[@brianhomka290]

"it's gorgeous down here."....Baggs Square....POTHOLE CITY! Walk don't drive!

[@plasmaglobe2850]

Lmao "Central New York gem" yeah, shootica is a gem alright.

[@verycold5380]

😭😭😭

[@lukeshaul820]

Utica's urban core might be safe and liveable. The entirety of upstate outside of Albany, Saratoga, Buffalo and several other medium to small citiies is a bombed out third world with drug gangs and a moderate to high level of poverty and declining populations.

[@GorillaGlue42]

Just don’t go to Oneida Square

[@WurFine]

Utica sucks😂 i was born and raised there im telling you its like a mini chicago gang violence is sky high🤦🏽‍♂️

[@sahryeamari]

fr😭 i’m still in utica

[@waynescaller8833]

Rome is beginning to be the same way I lived in Rome all my life and nothing changes in rome

[@tedzeiller2711]

Don't gentrify this place at the expense of history and the railroads

[@JBrooksNYS]

Gentrify? It has to be occupied before it can be gentrified. Most of these places are opening in places that have been abandoned for many years.

[@craiggallagher2729]

ARE You Kidding Me!! Utica SUCKS!!!!!

[@gaylonm.weasel4669]

This is a horrible shit hole of a city unless your on drugs , there is literally nothing to do in the whole city if your a young adult and The nice areas are getting smaller n smaller