UTICA, N.Y. -- Things are looking up for Utica's Bagg's Square.

This past weekend, a new container park with vendors and entertainment called Handshake.City officially opened.

A new food store on Main Street is also in the works.

Beth Irons, the Bagg's Square Association Board president, said the area has a heartbeat again, while still embracing the neighborhood's history.

"We support development. It puts people to work. It generates economic development. It revitalizes buildings that are really too wonderful to just let continue to fall apart. But everything is done with respect to the fact that this is a neighborhood that started the City of Utica," said Irons.

Leaders are also hoping for a grant to help grow the Oneida County Public Market, and keep it open more than one day a week.