[3] As mayor, McKennan was best known for spearheading the construction of the Utica Memorial Auditorium (now known as the Adirondack Bank Center) and securing the funding from Governor W. Averell Harriman for the North-South Arterial Highway.
His other accomplishments included the construction of Valley View Golf Club and the first public swimming pool located in North Utica.
He was also elected unanimously by delegates of all political parties to serve as Secretary of the New York State Constitutional Convention of 1967.
[6] In November 1982, McKennan ran for a full term, but was defeated, and left the bench at the end of the year.
[3] John T. McKennan died on November 28, 2011, in New Hartford, New York; and was buried at the St. Bernards Cemetery in Waterville.