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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday unveiled new renderings that give Syracuse residents their first glimpse of the new safety and access enhancements coming to the Inner Harbor and Northside as part of the Interstate 81 (I-81) viaduct-replacement project’s third contract. The six renderings depict improvements to North Clinton Street, new bridges along […]
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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday unveiled new renderings that give Syracuse residents their first glimpse of the new safety and access enhancements coming to the Inner Harbor and Northside as part of the Interstate 81 (I-81) viaduct-replacement project’s third contract.
The six renderings depict improvements to North Clinton Street, new bridges along Bear, Court, and Spencer Streets, and pedestrian and cyclist enhancements that connect residents on the Northside to the Empire State Trail.
The renderings are available online at: https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2024-06/Syracuse_I-81_Viaduct_Northside_Inner_Harbor_renderings.pdf
The renderings were on display at a Northside/Inner Harbor open house on Thursday evening at OneGroup at 706 North Clinton St. in Syracuse.
Visuals show a new gateway to the city’s Northside and Inner Harbor, focusing on a reconstructed North Clinton Street that will include new pavement, sidewalks, a shared-use path and on-and-off ramps from future Business Loop 81, per Hochul’s office.
Renderings also include a preview of the three replacement bridges on Bear, Court, and Spencer Streets. These structures will be longer to fit over the expanded future Business Loop 81 and feature new sidewalks. Additionally, a shared-use path will be included on the Court and Spencer Street bridges.
Pedestrians and cyclists will have improved access to the Empire State Trail through a new shared-use path constructed north of West Bear Street. A view in one of the new renderings shows the existing shared-use path along the Empire State Trail, south of West Bear Street, reconstructed and with amenities that include a bike repair station, bike racks and seating.
The third contract of the I-81 project — under construction in the Inner Harbor and Northside — is an extension of the work already underway in the northern and southern interchanges of Interstates 81 and 481 and is supported by federal funding from the federal Infrastructure Law, Hochul’s office said.

Utica National Insurance Group’s first woman CEO ready to start position
NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. — Utica National Insurance Group is ready for its first female CEO Kristen H. Martin to take the reins on July 1 when Richard P. Creedon retires after 26 years with the company. Martin joined Utica National in 2001 as an examiner before several promotions including corporate secretary and executive VP in
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NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. — Utica National Insurance Group is ready for its first female CEO Kristen H. Martin to take the reins on July 1 when Richard P. Creedon retires after 26 years with the company.
Martin joined Utica National in 2001 as an examiner before several promotions including corporate secretary and executive VP in 2013, director of underwriting operations in 2014, and executive VP and chief operating officer in 2016. She most recently served as president and chief operating officer.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead an amazing team and work closely with the independent agents who represent our company toward one goal — to help our insureds protect what’s important to them,” Martin said in a news release. “At the same time, I’m excited about helping our company continue to grow, be successful, and contribute to the wellbeing of the communities where we live and work.”
Under her leadership, Martin said the Utica National Group Foundation will continue to be actively involved in the community supporting events like the Utica National Kids Run and Boilermaker 5K race in Utica and aiding nonprofit organizations through grants and volunteer efforts.
Martin holds a law degree from Albany Law School, a bachelor’s degree in economics and government from St. Lawerence University, and the Associate in Claims professional designation. She has been active in several community and academic organizations and was elected to the New York Insurance Association’s board of directors in 2020.
Creedon, who served as CEO and chairman of the board, will remain chairman of the board following his retirement.
The Utica National Insurance Group is a group of insurance companies providing personal and commercial insurance products and services sold through more than 2,500 independent insurance agents. Its principal company, Utica Mutual Insurance Company, was founded in 1914.

Valley Health Services receives $15K grant for therapy equipment
HERKIMER, N.Y. — The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, Inc. has awarded a $15,000 grant to Bassett Healthcare Network’s Valley Health Services in Herkimer to advance its care for those recovering from strokes, neurological conditions including traumatic brain injury, and debilitating illnesses and surgeries. Valley Health Services used the grant funding to purchase
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HERKIMER, N.Y. — The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, Inc. has awarded a $15,000 grant to Bassett Healthcare Network’s Valley Health Services in Herkimer to advance its care for those recovering from strokes, neurological conditions including traumatic brain injury, and debilitating illnesses and surgeries.
Valley Health Services used the grant funding to purchase equipment used in therapy sessions that advance a patient’s level of independence. The new tools help patients strengthen their sense of balance, use stairs, complete physical transfers, and improve their cognition and reaction time.
The grant was made possible by the Wesley and Marion Small Fund at the Community Foundation.
Valley Health Services is part of the Bassett Healthcare Network, which provides health care to a 5,600-square-mile region of upstate New York.

Geddes Federal’s Manlius branch has a new manager
MANLIUS, N.Y. — Geddes Federal Savings and Loan Association has named a new manager for its branch in Manlius. Linda Meade is assuming the duties of branch manager. Meade is succeeding Christy Krzywda in that role, the organization tells CNYBJ in an email. Krzywda, a junior officer in the savings department, has relocated to the
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MANLIUS, N.Y. — Geddes Federal Savings and Loan Association has named a new manager for its branch in Manlius.
Linda Meade is assuming the duties of branch manager. Meade is succeeding Christy Krzywda in that role, the organization tells CNYBJ in an email.
Krzywda, a junior officer in the savings department, has relocated to the Syracuse branch, Geddes Federal added in its email.
The Manlius branch of Geddes Federal Savings and Loan Association is located at 240 West Seneca St. in the Limestone Commons Plaza. The Manlius branch has been in operation for 12 years, Geddes Federal says.
Meade has worked for Geddes Federal since beginning as a part-time teller in 2017, per its announcement. She later became a part-time floating customer-service representative in 2018.
In 2019, Meade became a full-time customer-service representative before Geddes Federal promoted her to a loan originator position in 2020.
“I look forward to continuing the leadership and excellent service our customers have expected from Geddes as we continue to embrace the future,” Meade said in the Geddes Federal announcement.

AmeriCU Credit Union has announced the appointment of retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major Richard Foist as its new Lowville Financial Center manager. With extensive experience
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Cornell University, USDA break ground on grape-research lab in Geneva
GENEVA, N.Y. — Cornell University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) on Wednesday broke ground on construction of the upcoming

Five graduate from apprenticeship program at Raymond
GREENE, N.Y. — The Raymond Corporation, Broome-Tioga Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), the Greene Central School District, and Seton Catholic Central recently celebrated this

State to host Thursday open house on I-81 contract focusing on Inner Harbor, North side areas
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) will host an open house on Thursday evening, June 27, discussing the third construction

Power Management Company, a provider of energy solutions, has announced the addition of Lyndsay Quiggle to its team as executive sales manager. With more than
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.