The Utica Home Ownership Center conducted a community survey that revealed that residents’ greatest concern was graffiti. As a result, the City of Utica used the Cities of Service <href=”http://citiesofservice.jhu.edu/resource/graffiti-busters/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”> Graffiti Busters Blueprint to engage citizens to remove graffiti and replace graffiti hotspots with community-driven murals.
To develop the community-based murals that were to replace the graffiti, a local artist gathered input from each neighborhood’s youth residents and incorporated illustrations of real people from the community to highlight Utica’s diversity. These strategies have had a unifying effect on Utica’s diverse communities — including the city’s significant refugee population — and have targeted community concerns, instilled a sense of pride and accountability among citizens, and have more closely connected city departments with local citizens.
Utica has been a member of the Cities of Service coalition since 2009, when former Mayor David R. Roefaro signed the Declaration of Service. Current Mayor Robert Palmieri reaffirmed the city’s commitment to service by signing the Declaration again in 2012.
Mayor's Office
1 Kennedy Plaza
Utica, New York 13502
(315) 792-0100
Mayor Michael P. Galime
Mike Galime is a 44-year-old, married, father of two, fulfilling his life in Utica. After spending his childhood growing up in the City of Utica, his path continued at the University of Rochester obtaining a B.S. in Optics from the school of engineering, a certificate in Personnel Management, and a concentration in music.
With eight years of experience as Council President, a strong acumen in business and management, and a lifetime history of community contributions, the Mayor, Mike Galime, is now enjoying his time leading our city.
What's Happening in Utica
“We want to bring the hope back to them. This city is a great area. We have great people out there, and we want people to feel safe and we want it to be clean for them.”
Mayor Robert Palmieri
19,500
the number of square feet of graffiti cleaned by citizen volunteers
99%
of sites cleaned of graffiti that have stayed graffiti-free