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JANUARY 24, 2024 Vol. 33, No. 2
CINDERELLA SEASON FOR UTICA GIRLS BOWLING/8A
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B & B COLLISION
Reptarium owner Brian Barczyk passed away from pancreatic cancer Jan. 14 at the age of 54 years old. Photo provided by Tyler Kranak
BY KARA SZYMANSKI kszymanski@candgnews.com
New potential development could bring big changes to downtown Utica BY KARA SZYMANSKI kszymanski@candgnews.com
UTICA — On Jan. 14, the Barczyk family and the entire team at the Reptarium announced the passing of founder Brian Barczyk at the age of 54. After finding out about his pancreatic cancer, which quickly became a stage 4 diagnosis, a year ago, he began his dream of building another attraction across from the Reptarium called LegaSea. The LegaSea Aquarium is scheduled to open in midMarch across Van Dyke Avenue from the Reptarium. Tyler Kranak, the general manager at the LegaSea Aquarium and the Reptarium, said Barczyk was an incredible man and the Reptarium and LegaSea will do everything they can to keep his
UTICA — During a City Council meeting in Utica Dec. 12, ideas were discussed in some detail that could bring a whole new look to downtown Utica. Michael Ivkov, with Host, brought the sweeping redevelopment proposal forward. “I believe that Utica and its residents desire to have a vibrant downtown, and a lot of concerns have been, at least since I’ve been around, is parking, and I believe that my phase development will remediate that concern as well
See BARCZYK on page 4A
See DEVELOPMENT on page 22A
ABOVE AND TOP: A plan presented to the Utica City Council in December seeks to transform many parts of the city’s downtown. Maps provided by city of Utica
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Utica Reptarium owner Brian Barczyk passes away