Old Glory is back in time for the 4th

For Immediate Release: July 2nd, 2020

MAYOR PALMIERI & NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONER DOMINGUEZ UNVEIL AMERICAN FLAG SCULPTURE

Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri and New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez today unveiled a newly refurbished American Flag sculpture on John Street.

In 1999, Utica Mayor Ed Hanna traveled to Texas and was inspired by a sculpture that encompassed the Texas state flag. Upon coming back to Utica, Mayor Hanna asked Chris Gauthier of Gauthier Fabricating, Inc. to create a similar sculpture with the American Flag.

In 2000, the sculpture (named Old Glory) was placed in the John Street center median. The state Department of Transportation temporarily removed the sculpture in order to facilitate the ongoing Route 5S safety improvement project.

Over the past several months, NYSDOT, as part of the 5S project, had the sculpture refurbished and constructed a new foundation for it. The sculpture was restored by Steve Hale of Steve’s Restorations and Hot Rods and unveiled this afternoon. 

Mayor Palmieri said, “It is great to have this sculpture of the American Flag restored and unveiled as part of the newly constructed Route 5S project. I thank the Department of Transportation for their continued partnership and Steve Hale for his great work.”

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “The New York State Department of Transportation is pleased to have been able to help preserve and restore this historical element of the City of Utica’s landscape as part of our Route 5S Project, which will enhance safety and improve mobility for pedestrians and bicyclists in the downtown corridor. We appreciate the opportunity to work with the City of Utica and Mr. Hale on the restoration of this important landmark and we hope that everyone will enjoy this artwork for generations to come.”