Linking an Anchor to Downtown Development

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Objective: Syracuse University has made strides in developing the corridor from the university’s campus to downtown Syracuse. Less of a neighborhood-based initiative, this is an urban redevelopment project focused on designing and building a strip of new urban landscape that encourages the University’s population to take advantage of all the city has to offer.

Main Topic: Anchor Institution
Sub Topic: Real estate development
Sub-Sub Topic: Cultural redevelopment

Geography: Syracuse, NY
Major Participants: Syracuse University, National Grid, US Congress, City of Syracuse, U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT), Chamber of Commerce

Background: Syracuse University has been working to influence real estate development in its neighborhood to build a better link between its campus and downtown Syracuse. The campus and downtown are home to five of the ten largest employers in Central New York and more than 47,000 people work in the corridor, but travelling between the two areas proves difficult.

The challenge: At first, the goal was simply to improve lighting along a one-and-a-half mile route. Now the goal is to create a “Connective Corridor” along a cultural strip that will better link University Hill and downtown Syracuse with pedestrian and bike-friendly streetscape, wireless hotspots and a free bus shuttle.

How it happened: In 2005, National Grid committed $1 million for the project’s development. Then, Congressman James Walsh secured $5.8 million in federal funds for the project, followed by Senator Charles Schumer who secured $5 million in public transit funding. Beginning that fall, public sessions were held to gather community input for the project’s vision.

In 2006, the University, the City of Syracuse, National Grid and Time Warner Cable announced a partnership to redevelop the corridor. The following year, a community working group convened to discuss details and design of the project, including the public art strategy. That fall, a nonprofit group, Near Westside Initiative, began investing in the neighborhood at the end of the Connective Corridor.

By 2009, the project was really off the ground. The Centro bus service launched distinctive Corridor buses; state-funded lighting and signage were mounted; and public sculptures were installed.

Results for Syracuse community: As early as 2006, companies saw the potential of the Connective Corridor and began moving to the area, including both the new O’Brien & Gere and King & King Architects headquarters. The Chamber of Commerce is steering businesses development along the Corridor, particular through a revolving loan fund for hospitality businesses.

Construction on the southern blocks, including Waverly Avenue, Marshal Street and Adams Street, is near completion. University Avenue has been converted in to a two-way street to help ease travel. This is expected to help boost downtown development, an area that for many years had been lifeless.

As the project shows its potential, it has become easier to leverage public financing. In December 2011, it was announced that another $10 million grant from the US DOT was awarded to the Connective Corridor to pay for its next two phases. The next phases include construction of the Syracuse Stage plaza, the Warehouse Hub and redevelopment of East Genesee Street.

Shared value is being created for the community: the University lives up to its promise to invest in the community and strengthens its local relationships; University students and faculty can easily move to and from downtown; the community and local employees benefit from increased investment in the Corridor. The investment is leading to new companies moving to the area, leading to job creation.

Lessons Learned: Collaboration among the university, public and private organizations was necessary to make this happen. It required being patient, as major infrastructure changes, especially when state and federal dollars are involved – does not happen quickly. Moreover, projects like this should be built on the community’s strengths; in this case, the arts, culture and technology.
 

Last Updated on January 20th, 2012

TAGS: syracuse university | syracuse | shared value | real estate development | urban design | cities | downtown | anchors