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City of Utica taking owner of former HSBC building to court deteriorating conditions

By JOLEEN FERRIS

Story Created: Jan 18, 2012 at 5:19 PM EDT

Story Updated: Jan 18, 2012 at 6:24 PM EDT

UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - The City of Utica is going to court to force an absentee landlord to bring a landmark local building he owns up to code.

Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri says that Ron Prince, the owner of the former HSBC Building in downtown Utica, had written the city a letter that promised to fix the roof, windows and drainage problems at the building. However, Palmieri says that Prince has not kept the promise.

The mayor called the landmark building "an absolute disgrace" following a tour of its interior a week ago.

"I don't know what his plans were, but obviously there were no plans that came to fruition, because here we are, 2012, and this building has deteriorated to the point where it's just absolutely devastating as a centerpiece of the downtown area," Mayor Palmieri said.

The mayor says Prince is behind on taxes for the building, as well. According to the City Comptroller's Office, Prince owes more than $77,000 in taxes, of which $68,000 is delinquent.

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