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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 28, 2003
Contact: Rocco DeFazio
518-274-8866

Media Advisory/Photo Opportunity
Troy’s Little Italy Reclaims Historic Public Marketplace
Plans for Market Lot Are Revealed; Marketplace Sign Unveiled 10/28 2 p.m.

On Tuesday, October 28, 2003 at 2 p.m.., Rocco DeFazio of DeFazio’s Pizzeria and Imports will gather with Troy Mayor Mark Pattison, Deputy Mayor Jim Conroy, Pat Poleto from Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno’s office, and Joe Fama from TAP to announce and celebrate plans for the Marketplace in Troy’s new Little Italy district. The event will take place at the public market lot located between Liberty and Washington Streets from 5th to Hill. The lot was historically a public marketplace in the 20th century until it was purchased by Troy News in 1975, fenced in and closed to the public. This announcement marks the first time in over a quarter-century that the Marketplace will become public space again for the people of Troy and visitors from throughout the region.

The Little Italy Marketplace will be the centerpiece of Little Italy plans to be revealed in the coming months. It will provide much-needed public space and green space for this traditional Troy neighborhood of brick homes and home-grown businesses. Planned highlights in the Marketplace include bocci courts, a fountain and the flags of Italy. The Marketplace will serve as a central ground for festivals, events, markets and more to attract people from throughout the region to Troy’s Little Italy.

Under the leadership of Troy Mayor Mark Pattison, the Marketplace has already been cleaned and repaved, with new diagonal parking spaces created along the western edge of the Marketplace. The brick walls have been repointed. The city will also show off a new “Marketplace in Troy’s Little Italy” sign.

Visuals and plans to be revealed will include:

• Mayor Mark Pattison will describe current and ongoing improvements to the Marketplace;
• Deputy Mayor Jim Conroy will give additional progress updates;
• Pat Poleto will make an announcement on behalf of Little Italy supporter Sen. Joseph Bruno;
• Rocco DeFazio will describe plans for upcoming events at the Marketplace;
• Joe Fama of TAP will unveil an updated plan for the Market Lot featuring streetscape improvements and designs.

Troy’s Little Italy, a brainchild of Rocco DeFazio that is supported by the City of Troy, many neighborhood groups, U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno, covers the area stretching north of the Poestenkill Canal and ending just south of the Pottery District (4th Street from Ida to Division in Troy). This area has traditionally been an Italian enclave, and features many successful Italian-American owned businesses today, as well as the Italian Community Center and the CYO. Little Italy districts in cities across the United States are tourist attractions, great residential neighborhoods, and feature lower crime rates than other city districts, making them pleasant neighborhoods to visit and to call home.

For more information about Troy’s Little Italy, contact Rocco DeFazio at 518-274-8866.