SCHUMER LAUNCHES EFFORT TO JUMP START NEXT PHASE OF SYRACUSE INNER HARBOR DEVELOPMENT FED DOLLARS COULD CREATE NEW ROADS, SIDEWALKS WATER LINE CONSTRUCTION THAT WOULD SPUR MILLIONS MORE IN PRIVATE INVESTMENT

 

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer urged the federal government to jump start and provide critical funds for the next phase in development of Syracuse's Inner Harbor, a key project that will revitalize the former Barge Canal terminal and attract millions in private investment within the city's urban core. Schumer's call comes in light of Monday's Common Council vote to apply for Economic Development Administration (EDA) funding through the Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Program. Schumer urged the feds to award the City of Syracuse this $2 million investment in order to get quickly get the second stage moving forward of this nearly $350 million, 28acre construction plan. Schumer has been working with the City of Syracuse, the city council and the Syracuse Industrial Development Agency since COR was named the developer, in an effort to realize this endeavor.

 

Schumer described new details of the City's EDA application, which is expected to be submitted at the end of this month, such as funding for new sidewalks, lighting, trees, and public spaces, and called on the EDA to prioritize this jobcreating infrastructure project. The funding would also go to permanent infrastructure work, like new water, sanitary and storm sewers, and gas and electric lines. Schumer emphasized that the City of Syracuse, the city council, and the Syracuse Industrial Development Agency are in strong support of this project, and noted that the success of the previous phase of work, focused on environmental reviews and related work, paves the way for an equally efficient and successful Phase 2.

 

"I am launching a full court press to secure federal funding that will keep the City of Syracuse's Inner Harbor redevelopment project on track to bring more jobs, new businesses and residences to this extension of downtown," said Schumer. "This project is poised to catalyze a domino effect of new development in Syracuse through the construction of new roads, sewers and infrastructure that will improve access to restaurants and shops, and attract new residents to invest in the area. The economic promise of Syracuse Inner Harbor project fits squarely with the EDA's mission of investing in critical jobcreating infrastructure, and I am urging the federal government to take a close look at the City's application and provide this funding to help make this vision a reality."

 

Schumer was joined by Syracuse Common Councilor, Khalid Bey, who chairs the Economic Development Committee; Paul Joynt, a COR Partner who is overseeing the operations of the development and will oversee Phase 2; and David V. Bottar, Executive Director of the CNY Regional Planning & Development Board. Schumer was also joined by representatives from Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney's Office and Onondaga County Economic Development official, Linda McShane as he announced his push to jumpstart the infrastructure phase of this project through a $2 million EDA grant. The City of Syracuse intends to submit their formal application by the end of November, and Schumer is urging that this welldeveloped plan be made a priority in upcoming funding decisions.

 

Schumer highlighted that this $2 million Economic Development Administration Public Works and Economic Development Investments grant would build the permanent infrastructure at this 28acre site, which will stand as the framework for future retailers, commercial and residential tenants to set up shop in this new community and extension of downtown Syracuse. These funds will support public improvements to be made on various Inner Harbor parcels, along either side of Van Rensselaer Street, between Bear Street and West Kirkpatrick Street, in support of surrounding private development. The improvements will include new streets, sidewalks, lighting, trees and landscaped areas, along with new water, sanitary and storm sewers and gas and electric lines.  Schumer also state that this project would revitalize neglected land, creating new neighborhoods that are ergonomic and green, with a focus on public utilization.

 

The project has already sparked massive interest by retailers, commercial tenants and residential ones, too - tenants that will occupy the west side of the harbor. On the east side, a hotel and marina are slated for development, helping to boost tourism and more retail and office tenants, many of them local. The north side, which is still under planning stages, will be reserved for community and public use. In this particular area, Schumer hoped that EDA funds would create appealing public spaces that would help attract pedestrians and outdoor enthusiasts to the city's urban core.

Schumer has long seen the importance of the Syracuse Inner Harbor project. His office met with EDA officials earlier this year to discuss the city's harbor project and has been working with COR and the city since the city council voted to enlist COR as the lead developer. Just last month, Schumer personally met with Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner and Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney to discuss this project and others. Monday's Common Council vote to submit for this federal EDA grant now allows Schumer to work directly with his federal partners to jumpstart Phase Two of this important city and county project.

 

Schumer applauded the City of Syracuse for its forwardthinking plan. In a letter to the Economic Development Administration Acting Assistant Secretary Matt S. Erskine, Schumer emphasized that Syracuse is clearly committed to revitalizing its Inner Harbor, demonstrated through its longstanding work on the project and the funds it secured for its first phase. This project fits squarely with the mission of the EDA's Public Works Investments, which exist to help revitalize communities, expand and upgrade their physical infrastructure to attract new industry, encourage business expansion, diversify local economies and generate longterm private sector jobs and investments. In addition to the immediate allocations of this $2 million grant, the Inner Harbor Project will leverage investments made by private institutions like Onondaga Community College and local commercial tenants, as well as hundreds of shortterm construction jobs and hundreds more longterm positions once the 28acres are occupied.

A copy of Senator Schumer's letter appears below:

 

Dear Assistant Secretary Erskine:

 

I write today with great urgency on behalf of the City of Syracuse, in full support of their application to your agency for $2 million in funds to begin the second phase of a nearly $350 million, 28acre development of the city's inner harbor. Since June, I have been working with the city to transform this former Barge Canal terminal into an economic engine of retail, commercial and residential attraction years in the making.

 

Today, with support from the city council, the Syracuse Industrial Development Agency and the millions in private funds ready and waiting to be unleashed, Syracuse is prepared to submit to your agency an application under the Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Program. This application, for your review, goes into detail regarding the next phase of development for the Syracuse Inner Harbor. It also provides detail on the success of the first phase, one that has happened quickly and efficiently.

 

I write today to urge your agency to look carefully and positively at the application submitted by the City of Syracuse. The $2 million application seeks to initiate the next phase of the overall harbor development project by constructing new roads between Bear and West Kirkpatrick Streets; new sidewalks, lighting, trees and public spaces, as well as new water, sanitary and storm sewers and gas and electric lines-the critical and basic infrastructure needs that once in place will catalyze millions more in private investment within the city's urban core.

 

Again, an investment in Syracuse's Inner Harbor would reap a significant return for you agency here in Upstate New York-one that would spur other development projects with the same urban focus. Efforts like these, to revive old harbor or brownfield sites that seek to create entirely new neighborhoods that are ergonomic, green, and focused on public utilization are exactly the kinds of projects EDA should be funding.

 

I look forward to continuing to work with your agency as it relates to the Syracuse Inner Harbor project and invite you to contact me should you require any further information or have any questions regarding the City of Syracuse's application under the Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Program.

 

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