Fourth “Reimagine St. Luke’s” Reuse Community Meeting Set for October 30th

Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. announced today that the conceptual site plan for the redevelopment Master Plan of the former St. Luke’s Hospital Campus will be presented at a community meeting on October 30^th.

"We are looking forward to sharing the vision that’s taken shape for the former St. Luke’s Hospital Campus," Picente said. "This plan is the result of careful research, thorough site analysis and, most importantly, input from our community. We are excited to present the conceptual site plan and continue the dialogue as we move toward a transformative redevelopment that will serve Oneida County for generations to come."

The Community Visioning Workshop will take place from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Soggs Room of the MVHS Center for Rehabilitation & Continuing Care Services located at 1650 Champlin Avenue, Utica (on the former St. Luke’s Campus). It is hosted by Oneida County, Mohawk Valley EDGE, Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) and the Town of New Hartford.

It is the fourth meeting associated with the “Reimagine St. Luke’s - Planning for the Future” project. Fu Wilmers Design, the firm selected to lead the Master Plan effort, will be present to engage with the public. Those in attendance will be able to review the conceptual site plan that has emerged from site analyses, research and ongoing public input.

The meeting will include a recap of how the plan took shape in response to public input and what it offers. Next steps for building momentum, including funding opportunities and potential phasing for implementing the plan, will also be discussed and attendees will have the chance to look at the concept plan up close and provide additional input. 

The project partners began conducting a series of public engagement events in February to introduce the planning project, identify challenges, craft a community vision, generate site alternatives and help shape the overall campus reuse strategy.

An Advisory Group made up of community leaders and representatives from the surrounding neighborhoods, community service organizations, faith-based groups, small business owners, housing organizations and real-estate developers meet prior to public meetings to contribute to the project by providing input on the challenges and potential for the site as the reuse strategy is developed.

This week will mark the fourth time the Advisory Group has met along with the fourth Community Visioning Workshop.

A Facilities Study for the former hospital site, also commissioned by Oneida County, MV EDGE, MVHS and the Town of New Hartford, is being headed by Weston & Sampson. It kicked off in November 2023 and is running concurrently with the Master Plan study. It is informing the Master Plan by looking at the present physical conditions and determining what portions of St. Luke’s can potentially be reused or are not suitable for reuse. A summary of findings for this study will be presented at the Community Visioning Workshop on October 30^th.

MV EDGE is administering the contracts with the consultants on both projects and Oneida County is providing the funding.

More information about “Reimagine St. Luke’s – Planning for the Future” can be found on the project website at: www.reimaginestlukes.com. Questions and comments can be directed to the project team at reimaginestlukes@gmail.com.