Commercial Drive development cost several businesses public access to buildings
“Quinn, along with other Commercial Drive property owners across from Consumer Square, lost a one-meter strip off the front of their when the state took it through eminent domain in 1998-99, said James Piccola, spokesman for the state Department of Transportation.
Three of the affected properties — 4738, 4744 and 4748-4752 Commercial Drive — lost public access to the lots in the process. Driveways disappeared, rendering the businesses mostly defunct. These properties sit vacant with little hope of future use.
The state took the slice of land along with access to several of these buildings as part of the construction of the major interchange of Judd Road with Commercial Drive, Piccola said.
“Reputed owners were given the opportunity to sell their remaining land and buildings back to the state,” he said. “The majority of property owners chose to retain the remaining land and buildings.””
Fries, Amanda. Utica OD 15 February 2014.