Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that officials have broken ground on the Salina 1st mixed-use development project. The new build, located at 1081 South Salina Street, is situated near the heart of downtown Syracuse. The property where the facility will be located is a brownfield area which will be mitigated to make way for the transformative project. The venture will include the development of close to 52,000 square-feet of manufacturing, retail, office, and residential space. The total project cost is close to $6.8 million. The new build is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2021.
ESD President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, "Utilizing strategic investments to transform this vacant downtown property into a mixed-use destination supports our regionally-focused approach to economic development that is fueling the Syracuse surge and revitalizing city centers across Upstate New York."
The development team is made up of Emanuel Henderson, owner of JHP Industrial Supply (MWBE), Eli Smith, owner of E Smith Contracting (MWBE) and Gail Montplaisir, majority owner of Taurus Development Group (WOSB). In addition to the developers who will occupy some of the leasable space, a new dental laboratory and incubator space will also be a part of the project.
Gail Montplaisir, majority owner of Taurus Development Group, said, “We are very grateful to Governor Cuomo and his team for this very generous grant that allows us to create Salina 1st. This project shows the commitment of our team to invest in our community and supports our vision is to help build prosperity for all community members. Our children deserve to grow up in beautiful, livable and healthy neighborhoods. We are confident that this project will breathe new life into the Southside community.”
ESD is assisting the project through a $1.3 million Capital Grant recommended by the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council (CNYREDC), which has focused its attention on the rehabilitation of Downtown, including the revitalization of the historic Hotel Syracuse, now known as the Marriott Syracuse Downtown. The hotel is part of this region's rich history and serves as an attraction for major events, big business and tourism in the region.
Other state supported projects that are changing the face of Downtown Syracuse include:
Acropolis Center: The project features the rebirth of the former Jefferson Center also on South Salina Street. The mixed-use development will be home to Acropolis Realty Group currently located in Armory Square. Phase one of the two-phase project will include the rehabilitation of the property and another nearby and will feature façade work and the conversion of the basement to needed parking for the development. ESD is assisting the project with an $800,000 Capital Grant. The company plans to invest close to $6 million for phase one of the development.
Ephesus Lighting, Inc., 125 E. Jefferson & Warren Street: Project moved Ephesus Lighting, Inc. from The Tech Garden in Syracuse to its new headquarters in Onondaga Towers, adding 27 new jobs to a workforce of 10. The project cost $585,203 with an incentive of $150,000 from ESD.
Icon Tower, 344 S. Warren Street: Project saw the renovation of the former Excellus Building into a mixed-use facility with 73 apartments, 45,000 square feet of commercial space and 43 on-site parking spaces. The project cost $20 million with an incentive of $2.3 million from ESD.
Merchants Commons, 214-220 South Warren Street: Project aided in the redevelopment of the former Merchants Bank and Snow Buildings into a mixed-use facility including 66 apartments and a 65-car garage. The project cost $12,500,000 with an incentive of $837,500 from ESD.
Post-Standard Building, 101 North Salina Street: Project will redevelop the former Post-Standard Building into a mixed-use development. The new facility will house VIP Structures, the Post-Standard printing operations, and three new stories with 60-75 rental apartments. The project will cost $38.9 million with an incentive of $1.5 million proposed.
State Tower Building, 109 S. Warren Street: URI project that is helping with the redevelopment of the 21-story State Tower Building into a mixed-use facility. The project will cost $9.9 million with an incentive of $3 million from ESD.
TCGplayer on South Warren Street: The online marketplace and software business, is establishing its new headquarters in downtown Syracuse renovating 44,000 square-feet of space inside of The Galleries of Syracuse building on South Warren Street. The headquarters feature a unique, interactive design that engages the community through a street-level view of its space and pop culture-themed work areas. The company has committed to providing more than 300 new and retained jobs in the region over the next five years.
Senator Rachel May said, “The long-term revitalization of Syracuse requires investing in all of our neighborhoods and creating spaces where people want to work, live, learn, and play. The Salina 1st project, on the Southside of Syracuse, is a mixed-use space where a company involved in constructing the building will occupy one of the offices. This creates a better connection between the developers and the community and allows for the growth of some of our great local businesses. I am looking forward to seeing more mixed-use, mixed-income, inclusive development across the city.”
Assemblyman William B. Magnarelli said, "The economic development efforts on Salina Street properties are wonderful examples of how revitalization of brownfield areas can be a catalyst the transformation of our neighborhoods. Investing in projects such as Salina 1st is a wonderful way of ensuring that the area is reinvigorated."
Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said, “The repurposing of this property along South Salina Street in downtown Syracuse is welcome news for Central New York. This exciting project will support the continued momentum and economic development success our community and region are experiencing. By leveraging our unique resources and making strategic investments, Onondaga County and Central New York are positioned to continue growing for generations to come. Thank you to Governor Cuomo for your strong commitment to Central New York."
Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said, “The repurposing of these properties along South Salina Street in downtown Syracuse is welcome news for Central New York. This exciting project will support the continued momentum and economic development success our community and region are experiencing. By leveraging our unique resources and making strategic investments, Onondaga County and Central New York are positioned to continue growing for generations to come. Thank you to Governor Cuomo for his strong commitment to Central New York."
CNYREDC Co-Chairs Randy Wolken, President & CEO of the Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY) and Deborah Stanley, President of the State University of New York at Oswego said, "The regional council is fully committed to the future of Downtown Syracuse. By supporting this transformative, mixed-use development project, we are furthering our efforts to reinvigorate the area, creating a welcoming place for millennials, families and others looking to experience all that the area has to offer."
Accelerating CNY Rising
Today's announcement complements “Central NY Rising,” the region’s comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The State has already invested more than $5.6 billion in the region since 2012 to lay the groundwork for the plan – capitalizing on global market opportunities, strengthening entrepreneurship and creating an inclusive economy. Today, unemployment is down to the lowest levels since before the Great Recession; personal and corporate income taxes are down; and businesses are choosing places like Syracuse, Oswego and Auburn as a destination to grow and invest in.
Now, the region is accelerating Central NY Rising with a $500 million State investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, announced by Governor Cuomo in December 2015. The State’s $500 million investment will incentivize private business to invest well over $2.5 billion – and the region’s plan, as submitted, projects up to 5,900 new jobs. More information is available here.
Contact:
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