Sep 12

Sep 12 Work begins on nearly $56 million parking garage near Utica's Wynn Hospital By Ray Durso

Site work is underway on Oneida County’s $55.8 million, 530,000-square-foot parking garage adjoining Mohawk Valley Health System’s Wynn Hospital. The county at a Thursday press briefing released renderings of what the parking garage will look like. MARCH Associates Architects and Planners began site work about a week ago, with construction to move forward in the coming weeks, advancing toward a March 2024 completion date. “This garage is essential,” Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. said at the briefing. The garage, which will connect to the hospital via a climate-controlled pedestrian corridor, will provide parking for hospital staff, patients, and visitors as well as offer public parking spaces.

Of the nearly $56 million price tag, $10 million comes from Empire State Development’s Upstate Revitalization Initiative and the county is using $12 million in American Rescue Act funding. Oneida County will bond for the remaining $33.8 million over a 30-year period. During the press briefing, Picente noted the project’s cost had increased, mainly due to a one-year delay as the county battled an eminent domain case in court. The suit was dismissed this past January. As a result, however, the project’s start was delayed and the garage will not open in conjunction with the Wynn Hospital opening next October. “There will be [parking] space made available to us downtown,” MVHS President/CEO Darlene Stromstad said. While the details are still being worked out, she noted that MVHS has other properties where employees can park and take a provided shuttle to the hospital.

During the briefing, Picente unveiled renderings of the garage. ‘We think it complements the outstanding look of Wynn Hospital,” he said. “The five-level garage will accommodate 1,330 vehicles.” Wynn Hospital will lease about 1,050 spaces on the upper floors for its staff. A portion of the ground-floor parking spaces are reserved for those visiting the emergency department. Hospital staff, patients, and visitors will not pay to park. Another 280 spots on the ground floor and second floor will be available for general public use for a fee, Picente said. About 45 parking spaces will be accessible for those with disabilities, and there will be 69 spots equipped for charging electric vehicles. The garage can accommodate up to 280 charging stations in the future.

Situated between State, Oriskany, and Cornelia streets, the garage will have multiple entry points for public and staff parking. A heliport that will serve the hospital will be located above the top parking level. The garage will also include a number of elevators and the Oriskany Street exterior will featuring lighting that can be programmed to coordinate with downtown events at nearby venues such as the Adirondack Bank Center and Nexus Center.

Special thanks to The Genesis Group for this article. The Genesis Group is a civic organization that unites Business and Community Leaders working to advance regional Economic, Social and Cultural interests, and to foster unity and cooperation in the Mohawk Valley region of Upstate New York.