Utica – Standing in front of a boarded up building on Lincoln Avenue, the five Utica United candidates presented their plan for more deconstruction efforts in the city.
Led by Councilman Jim Zecca, D-at-large, the candidates urged the city and the county to use the planned Habitat for Humanity Re-Store to spur more deconstruction efforts instead of simply demolishing older homes in the area.
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“There’s been too many buildings in this city that’ve been demolished, just destroyed; especially our architectural heritage, we’ve lost to the wrecking ball,” he said. “With the new Habitat for Humanity Re-store opening up, this is a large piece in a building materials recover strategy that can help restore the city.”
Since deconstruction is more labor intensive, the program could also lead to more jobs, said Martinez.
“Folks in my neighborhood would rather work than have idle time,” she said.