Governor Hochul Announces Transformational Projects for Syracuse's Southwest Gateway as Part of $10 Million Downtown Revitalization Initiative

December 21, 2022

Twelve Strategic Downtown Revitalization Projects Enhance Walkability and Connectivity between the Southwest Gateway and Downtown Syracuse, Expand Business and Housing Opportunities Through Redevelopment and Infill Development and Improve Community Services

Project Renderings Available Here

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced 12 transformational projects in Syracuse's Southwest Gateway as part of the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award. This funding will improve the community's walkability, restore historic buildings, and create housing and business opportunities.

"As an alumna of Syracuse University, I know how much the community of Syracuse has come together to create a resurgence in the city and region," Governor Hochul said. "These projects will improve the South Gateway District to make it a more walkable and vibrant area and expand business and entertainment opportunities — opening a new chapter of opportunity and prosperity for Syracuse and Central New York."

The City of Syracuse's Southwest Gateway is a diverse community that contains historically under-invested residential neighborhoods, commercial corridors centered around historic former mansions, and the famous Salt City Market, which offers food from a wide variety of cultures from around the world. The area includes many vacant parcels and unoccupied buildings, which have seen a recent increase in investment and provide opportunities for further redevelopment through the DRI. Syracuse's revitalization focuses on improving the pedestrian experience, bringing vacant and dilapidated buildings back to life for housing, and commercial uses and improving community services.

The investments are part of the Governor's ongoing efforts to revitalize the upstate economy and create more opportunities within Central New York. The DRI is led by the New York Department of State, which provides technical assistance as each participating community develops a Strategic Investment Plan identifying specific projects with a unique vision for the revitalization of the downtown area.

The specific projects to be funded through the DRI support several goals contained in the community's Strategic Investment Plan, such as — enhancing walkability and connectivity between the Southwest Gateway and Downtown Syracuse; expanding business and housing opportunities through redevelopment and infill development; and improving community services. The $9.7 million State investment in these projects through the DRI will leverage additional public and private sector investments as the revitalization process proceeds and builds momentum.

Read the full press release here.