All Utica University downtown operations at the Clark City Center, including the Brvenik Center for Business Education, Office of Advancement and Office of Enrollment Operations, will move to the university’s main campus prior to the start of the fall 2025 semester.

The official announcement was made on Friday, April 4 in a campus-wide email from Utica University President Todd Pfannestiel. He said the decision was based on feedback received from students and faculty in addition to a review of classroom and administrative space. 

“As we approach the end of our current lease agreement, the time is right for a fresh look at how we can best serve our students and support their learning goals in the years ahead,” Pfannestiel said. 

The email explained how students would benefit from this change. 

“First and foremost, it will enable our business students to benefit from the significant expansion of campus teaching and learning facilities over the past ten years,” according to Pfannestiel. “Business classes will be more conveniently accessible to residential and commuter students, including our growing population of international students. Just as importantly, this move will offer students the opportunity to more fully engage in campus life.”

Clark City Center is located at 181 Genesee St. and has housed business classes for the University since the fall 2016 semester. During the nearly 10-year stay downtown, the university built the Science Center and Thurston Hall on the Burrstone Road campus, providing the necessary space for their operations.

A decision like this impacts more than just Utica University facility and students. Junior business management major Spencer Borghardt is concerned about downtown businesses that became accustomed to Utica University students as patrons. 

“I feel for the local businesses that rely so heavily on student foot traffic to keep their businesses open, but I understand why the school had to do it,” he said. “I know the school wouldn’t have done it if they didn’t have to, and I think it will save them so many headaches from now on. There is never parking anywhere close and the shuttles are usually overcrowded and get you to class late, and I think the school is going to appreciate not having to worry about that anymore.” 

 Zane Lepage, a junior finance major with a minor in management, said he wished the university could have figured out a way to keep the Clark City Center. 

“The business building is unique and sets us apart from other majors and even other schools,” Lepage said. “I think the school had the right idea when they opened the business building, it’s just a shame that it didn’t work out.”

Students not associated with the Clark City Center, such as junior criminology major  Vincent Bernardo, understood why some may be upset at this news.

“I get why the school had to do it, sometimes you have to put finances above all else especially when you are in a rough spot financially,” he said. “But I would totally understand if people were upset about this because it is such a drawing point to potential students that are business majors because of how interesting and unique of a building it was. Some kids might have even decided on Utica University solely for that building, but at the end of the day, stuff happens. It’s a tough situation but I think it will ultimately be for the best.” 

As far as this change, Pfannestiel detailed that it will be a gradual change that will not begin until after the current semester has ended.

“The relocation will occur gradually; no classes or faculty offices will move until the conclusion of the spring semester,” Pfannestiel  wrote. “Details will be finalized in the coming weeks, and I will share updates on new office and classroom locations as information becomes available.”

A representative for the Genesee Street building has mentioned that there are two potential tenants interested in moving in.