First “Reimagine St. Luke’s” Reuse Community Meeting Set for Feb. 13

Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. announced today that the first community meeting for the redevelopment Master Plan of the St. Luke’s Campus will take place on Feb. 13 in New York Mills.

“Input from the public and key stakeholders surrounding the St. Luke’s Campus is crucial to the success of redeveloping this valuable site,” Picente said. “We encourage everyone with a vested interest to participate in our Community Visioning Workshops as we shape the future of Oneida County. We have been presented with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we will only be able to seize it and develop the best plan with robust public engagement.”

The first Community Visioning Workshop will take place from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 13 in the auditorium of New York Mills Junior/Senior High School located at 1 Marauder Boulevard. It is hosted by Oneida County, Mohawk Valley EDGE, Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) and the Town of New Hartford.

It will serve as a kick-off to 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.

“Community engagement and support is key to realize the full, transformative potential of the vacated St. Luke’s site,” said Mohawk Valley EDGE President Steve DiMeo. “This long-range planning process has just begun and the success of the long-term revitalization of the St. Luke’s campus will result in initiatives that will support our region’s continued growth. County Executive Picente’s vision of transforming this vacant site into a regional asset is certainly cause for excitement.  EDGE looks forward to working with the county and the community to realize that vision.”

The project partners will be conducting a series of public engagement events between February and September 2024 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 will meet prior to public meetings to contribute to the project by providing input on the challenges and potential for the site as the re-use strategy is developed.

There are four Advisory Group and four Community Visioning Workshops planned. Three different concepts will be produced as a final result of the Master Plan study.

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 will help inform 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.

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

“The St. Luke’s property is a valuable asset for future growth and opportunity in our community, but it’s critical that its future use aligns with the needs and wants of the public,” said MVHS President/CEO Darlene Stromstad, FACHE. “Public meetings are an integral part of the reuse plan and a wonderful opportunity for the community to share its ideas for the future development of the St. Luke’s Campus. We look forward to the conversation and feedback from this meeting.”

“As much as it’s sad to see the St. Luke’s campus go, this also brings great opportunity for economic development in the town of New Hartford and the county as a whole,” said New Hartford Town Supervisor Paul Miscione. “Public involvement is essential to this process. We need everyone at the table so that we can create a destination for young individuals and families to live, work and play.” 

More information about “Reimagine St. Luke’s – Planning for the Future” can be found on the project website at: www.reimaginestlukes.com.