January 31, 2025
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Want to rent a retail stall? Utica is taking applications

Applications due by Feb. 15

By Tom Collins
Want to do some holiday shopping at Utica's forthcoming outdoor retail plaza? Mayor David Stewart said he hopes the project will be completed in early to mid December, leaving shoppers a few weeks to buy presents for their families. Crews from the Utica Public Works department are building wooden decking on the corners of the site next to the huts at the Market on Mill, seen here in an aerial photo Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024.

The portable retail stalls in Utica aren’t ready for opening – electrical service has yet to be completed – but they’re close enough that Utica is ready to accept applications. (Scott Anderson)

The portable retail stalls in Utica aren’t ready for opening – electrical service has yet to be completed – but they’re close enough that Utica is ready to accept applications.

Village officials announced Thursday at the Utica Village Board meeting the opening of an application period for the 12 stalls at the Market on Mill. Retailers can submit applications to be reviewed by a committee using what Mayor David Stewart termed a “scoring system.” Applications are due by Feb. 15.

Stalls are available for $300 per month with a one-time deposit of $500. Successful applicants will be announced March 1, move-in day is April 1, and the stalls will be open for business Thursday, May 1.

“I think there will be a lot of trial-and-error the first year,” Stewart said. “We’ll take everyone’s advice and see how to proceed the following year.

Major construction is completed at the Market on Mill, which was modeled after outdoor retail plazas in Batavia and Muskegon, Michigan. Village officials had hoped to open the plaza in late 2024, but cost overruns and the resulting late start pushed the launch into the spring.

Other matters:

  • Police Chief James Mandujano said the force was fully equipped with body cameras in time for the Jan. 1 deadline, bringing Utica in full compliance with the law.
  • The board approved a facade program. The village would allocate $5,000 in tax increment financing funds to reimburse business owners for 50% of facade improvements up to $2,500.
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