UTICA - Local leaders stress the importance of economic development, and a continuing project in North Utica known as Colonial Square is part of that development.

Ground was broken in Spring of last year and within a few months its expected to be finished. Nearly a dozen people have moved into Schuyler Commons, with others signed up to lease apartments in the near future.

Local officials cite economic development projects like this one as a way to help re-build the local economy. City and county officials consider projects like these important investments in the community.

A spokesperson says the apartments began as senior housing, but during later phases there will be space for people of any age. Managers say the project is in a good place for people who want to be near, but not in the downtown area.

"It is very accessible," said Mary Kathryn Maine, leasing manager for Colonial Square. "We did have the mayor and other local officials who are fully behind the whole project and what we are offering this community. Many of them, North Utica people have been coming in and have found that this is what they are looking for. They want to stay in the north Utica area."

The first phase of the project is expected to be finished sometime towards the end of Spring. Colonial Apartments is currently in discussions to begin other phases of the project including single family homes and townhouses.