SALT District Annual Report 2009-2010

8/13/2019 SALT District Annual Report 2009-2010

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Overview

The Syracuse Art, Literacy, Technology (SALT)District of the Near Westside is directed by theNear Westside Initiative Inc. (NWSI), a not-for-profit organization. Syracuse University

and The Gifford Foundation jump started thisinitiative. SU School of Architectures UPSTATE,the Syracuse Center of Excellence and HomeHeadQuarters play pivotal roles in the project.

The NWSI leverages the resources of SU, thestate, the city, private foundations, businesses,not-for-profit corporations, and neighborhoodresidents to achieve its goals. A creativecommunity is converging here to fostereconomic development, jobs and stability for the

neighborhood, and rich academic experiencesfor SU students. Within this neighborhood, thepremise that art and culture can unite to createa revitalized community is being tested, and isproving to be true.

Brief History of the NWSyracuses Near Westside Neighborhoodoccupies 550 acres adjacent to its downtowurban core. The history of the neighborhoodmirrors that of the broader region, includingthe rise and fall of multiple industries over200 years and the profound impacts of urbrenewal and interstate highway projects in t1950s and 1960s.

Today, the Near Westside is a classic examof a mixed-use urban neighborhood that haexperienced significant disinvestment for mothan 50 years, leaving it unable to build on assets of its history, the talents of its resideand its proximity to the vibrant, revitalized a

of downtown known as Armory Square.

Syracuse University as Anchor InstitutionAs an anchor institution in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is building on its historical strengths and pursuing collaborations

that simultaneously enrich scholarship and change the face of this older industrial city. Through extensive partnerships with the public,private and non-profit sectors, SU is create meaningful opportunities for students and faculty to learn and discover, while tacklingpressing issues in communities like the Near Westside, that resonate in our nation and world. The collaborations are focused in fivekey interlocking areas: art, design, and technology, environmental sustainability, global collaboratories, inclusive urban education, andneighborhood and cultural entrepreneurship.


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Mission/Vision

Combine the power of art,

technology, and innovationwith neighborhood values

and culture to revitalize

Syracuses Near Westside.

Mission VisionDiverse cultures will converge and thrive

on the Near Westside. Residents will helpdesign and become fully vested in the

project.

The revitalization will be fueled byinterdisciplinary scholarship, international

connections, and the seed capital and

commitment of Syracuse University. It willbe sustained by the residents, businesses,

foundations, and the local government of

Syracuse.

A community of artists and innovators will

become property owners within a cluster ofrenovated warehouses and new structures

centering in and around West and Wyoming

streets, creating a link between the NearWestside and Armory Square.

Many new and/or renovated homeswill be constructed for owner occupancy

throughout the neighborhood. The historic

architecture of this, the oldest neighborhood

in Syracuse, will be preserved wheneverpossible.

New construction and neighborhood

planning will demonstrate sustainability inurban design and serve as a test bed for

green and clean technologies emerging

from the Syracuse Center of Excellence inEnvironmental and Energy Systems.

The project will create jobs, homeownership opportunities, and beautiful

public spaces for the people who live in the

neighborhood.

A vital neighborhood association will be

the catalyst for creating bridges betweennew and current residents, students, and

businesses involved in this effort.


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A Non-Traditional Team

Boys and Girls Club

Centerstate CEOCNY Community FoundationCity of Syracuse

Gifford Foundation

Green & Seifter Attorneys

Habitat for HumanityHiscock & Barclay, LLP

Home HeadQuarters

Huntington Family CenterLa Liga

Messenger AssociatesNojaim Bros. SupermarketPEACE Westside Family Resource Center

Pro-Literacy International

Queri DevelopmentRed House Arts Center

Say Yes to Education

Second Olivet Missionary Baptist ChurchSt. Lucys Church and Learning Center

SUNY MorrisvilleSyracuse Center of ExcellenceSyracuse University

WCNY

Westside Family Health Center

OrganizationsW. Scott Allyn, MD - Redhouse

Dr. Maritza Alvarado - MAK ConsultantsSean Branagan - Communigration, Inc.Ed Bogucz - Syracuse Center of Excellence

Tim Carroll - City of Syracuse

Peter Dunn - CNY Community Foundation

Regina Gabrielle, Lac, DHom Onondaga Community College

Kathy Goldfarb-Findling - Rosamond

Gifford Charitable CorporationBea Gonzalez - Syracuse University

Eddie Green - Green & Seifter Attorneys P.C.Marilyn Higgins - Syracuse UniversityCarole Horan - Resident

Pastor A. James - Second Olivet

Missionary Baptist ChurchMichael Kelleher - SUNY ESF

Darlene Kerr - Chamber of Commerce

Father Jim Mathews - St. Lucys ChurchKevin McAuliffe - Hiscock & Barclay, LLP

Anne Messenger - Messenger Associates, Inc.Paul Nojaim - Nojaims MarketRita Paniagua - Spanish Action League

Kerry Quaglia - Home Headquarters

Board of Directors

Maarten Jacobs - Director

Don Western - Finance Director

Beverly Everding - Senior AdministratorMichael Short - Engagement Fellow

Staff

Mark Robbins - SU School of Architecture

Gladys J. Smith - ResidentDirk Sonneborn - Rosamond Gifford

Charitable Corporation

Mary Alice Smothers - PEACE

Bill Veit - Scottsman Press

Ben Walsh - City of SyracuseSuzanne Williams - Habitat for Humanity


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The NWSI is formed as a collaborative effort among Syracuse University, the Gifford Foundation, the Center of Excellence (CoE), theSchool of Architecture (SoA) and area residents and civic leaders.

Certificate of Incorporation filed for West Side Initiative, Inc.

First NWSI Board Meeting at St. Lucys Rectory - adopted bylaws and elected officers of the board; added board members Board votes to pursue purchase of Case Supply Building, and to acquire Lincoln Supply and attached properties, as well as the vacan

lot at 201 Wyoming

NWSI/SNI Press Conference held at St. Lucys - Announcing $2.2m SNI funds to HHQ for NWS Letter from ESDC approving $13.5m debt reinvestment to the NWS NWSI Press Conf at City Lot/Wyoming Street Announcing WCNY commitment to move to the NWS. M Higgins starts new position at SU as VP of Community Engagement & Economic Development Gov. Spitzer, announces that he would commit $2m to WCNY in the NWS as part of his revitalization of cities initiative. SU Architecture announces they are working with HHQ to transform 223 Marcellus into a neighborhood revitalization information cent King & King Architects closes on the purchase of a 51,000 square foot headquarters on the NWS.

$2.9m Restore NY funds awarded for housing and Lincoln Supply project HHQ announces $2,500 Neighborhood Initiative grants for NWS owner-occupants to make energy improvements HHQ offers $5,000 Neighborhood Initiative grants to NWS homeowners to make exterior home improvements. First Resident Engagement Public Meeting held at St. Lucys Gym Rep. James Walsh and Syracuse Mayor Matt Driscoll announce that $250,000 of $1.2m in federal funds to improve neighborhoods w

support the NWS.

Earth Day Clean-up NWSI Board members volunteered to clean up the city lot at 201 Wyoming Street Julia Czerniak of UPSTATE in the SoA starts work with students on a neighborhood plan Onondaga County Executive Joanne Mahoney scraps plans for a $128m sewage treatment facility in Armory Square, next to the NWS

calling instead for a green infrastructure solution.

Chronology of the NWSI through September 092006

2007

2008


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By May, HHQ had bought or planned to buy 64 of the 217 parcels in the horseshoe around Skiddy Park Syracuse CoE plan with HHQ the deconstruction of a NWS house, including workforce development, market development, and policy

initiatives needed to support the process SALT website launched Tully Street Block Blitz brings 100+ volunteers to clean up a block of Tully Street across from Skiddy Park NWSI Board receives information that the Joint Schools Construction Board is considering closing Blodgett. NWSI Board organizes a

committee to work on efforts to keep Blodgett on the list to be renovated.

King & King Moves into their new building on NWS Winners of From the Ground Up Competition (FTGU) announced Strategic Plan is adopted as an Operational Plan by NWSI Board DOT agrees to repaint and fix up walking intersections from downtown to the NWS Schumer announces in NWS The Community Regeneration, Sustainability and Innovation Act - Legislation to get Syracuse into a $3

program to purchase and renovate vacant houses on Citys NWS First HHQ Renovation Project Sold on NWS - 422 Marcellus Street Wall Street Journal Article The Green House of The Future - feature story about the FTGU green houses on the NWS.

The Near Westside Arts Council holds Creative Bike Showcase at Shonnard Street Boys & Girls Club Modular Home designed by SU architecture students delivered and installed at 521 Tully Rain Garden installed on Walrath familys property on Tully Street SALT District Businesses Inventoried and surveyed to develop Small Business Association CNY Works and Nojaims organize Youth workforce development program - Artworks, Greenworks, Foodworks Construction starts on FTGU Homes HHQ Block Blitz held on 400 Block of Otisco Street

2009


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Sep

tember

09

September 09 was a busy end to a great summer. Within daysof each other, Maarten Jacobs is hired as the new director of theNWSI, construction begins on the Lincoln Supply warehouse, anthe NWSI Annual Meeting and Neighborhood Picnic is held. At thend of the month, $5million of Restore NY III money is awarded

the NWS to renovate the Case Supply building into the future hoof WCNY Public Broadcasting.


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Octobe

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October 09 was filled with ground-breakings, ribboncuttings, and announcements. The Link house, on TullyStreet was completed, a ribbon cutting event was held,and the new homeowners moved in. In the midst ofall the construction dust, HUD Secrretary Donovan andSenator Charles Schumer visited the NWS to announce theCommunity Regeneration, Sustainability, and InnovationAct. To round out the month, CASE Supply wastransformed into an urban arts and crafts market that hadover 800 visitors stop by to purchase art and wares fromover 30 local vendors.


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Nov

ember09

November marked the ground-breaking and immediate startto the construction of the threeFrom the Ground Up homes.These homes were the winnersin a competition hosted bySyracuse Universitys School ofArchitecture (SOA), UPSTATE:Center for Design, Researchand Real Estate at the SOA,

in partnership with SyracuseCenter of Excellence, HomeHeadQuarters, and the NearWestside Initiative.


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Decembe

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December was a time of celebrating our accomplishments from thepast year. To do so, the NWSI Board hosted a holiday celebration withNWS residents at the Warehouse. Similarly, The Westside Arts Councilhelped host the annual Skiddy Park Christmas Tree lighting and wentcaroling around the neighborhood to spread joy in the holiday season.As always, there was a bit of business to take care of: the CommercialCommittee recommended, and the NWSI Board approved Juan Cruz asthe first Artist in Residence for the NWSI and that 216 Tully Street berenovated into an apartment and studio/classroom space.

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Jan

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On January 7th, 2010 the NWSI Board gathered for an all-day retreat to realign ourselves, and to cast a vision for 2010and beyond. Out of that retreat came a simple 3 year vision for the Near Westside Initiative that focuses on offering newopportunities for long-time residents, as well as continuing to recruit new individuals to relocate in the community.


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February

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In February a few NWS residents and partners were lucky enough to escape to warmer weather on the West Coast for afew days. Maarten Jacobs, Sheena Solomon, Steve Kearney, and residents Isaac Rothwell and Fanny Fillareal attended theSmart Growth Conference in Seattle to learn about adding green infrastructure in the community. Amongst the dozens of great

speakers was our very own Ed Bogucz.

The Zoning Board approved plans for 601 Tully Street to be a business incubator for Fowler students and a community teachinggarden in partnership with Say Yes to Education.


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March10

Despite the cold, Senator Gillibrand visited the Near Westsidein March. During her visit she toured CASE Supply, TullyStreet and the FTGU construction sites.

After a few months of shooting footage, conductinginterviews, and editing, the NWSI released its firstcommercial highlighting all of the young artists working inthe SALT District. The video was released through YouTuband the SALT District website. To date it has already beenseen by over 800 people interested in the NWSI.


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April10

Throughout the Spring 10 semester, CommunicationsDesign students from the SU School of Visual andPerforming Arts worked on creative ways to spruce up theNWS while getting the SALT brand into the community.Following their presentation, the Gifford Foundationoffered a mini-grant to put some of their ideas into action.To date, two of their proposals have been put into placewith more to come.


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May10

The Art Shark by Brendan Rose is installed in Lipe Art Park. Brendanworked with several residents of the NWS to come up with the finaldesign and had SU students help him with the installation of the piece.Justin Mushaty painted the first mural on the sculpture, entitling itRebirth of Syracuse.

After working for months with SU Design students, the OnondagaHistorical Association published Leaving a Legacy A History ofSyracuses Near West Side. A great history of the NWS througharchived images and text.


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June

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As summer approached Syracuse, construction ramped up on the NWS.Construction began on 216 Tully Street to transform an old bar into anapartment and studio/classroom for Juan Cruz, the NWSIs first Artist inResidence. Similarly, Fagbug owner Erin Davies made plans to purchase412 Oswego (part of the dollar home program by Home HeadQuarters).It will be transformed into the Fagbug Museum and Brewery.


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July10

The NWSI Small Business Development Committee launchedan array of comprehensive initiatives in June, including a

business/entrepreneurial development program, a microloanprogram, and the formation of a business association. Thenewly formed NWS Business Association is meting monthlyand has an active membership of over 18 businesses andentrepreneurs.

In an effort to show solidarity between the different agenciesin the community, and to liven up Skiddy Park, teens from fourlocal agencies worked with NWSI intern, Stephanie Hart, toinstall brightly colored fence art.

Similarly, volunteers continued to work hard on the Stone SoupCommunity Garden next to St. Lucys Church. As in yearspast, the garden produced lots of vegetables for neighborhoodresidents, but also provided a calm place to gather and reflect.


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Augus

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August was our busiest month. Whileconstruction crews continued to work dayand night on the FTGU homes, the Lincolnapartments, and several other properties,multiple events were happening as well.

First, HHQ had its annual Block Blitz on the400 Block of Otisco Street. More than ahundred volunteers assisted HHQ in buildingnew porches, painting fences, pulling weeds,and generally sprucing up the block.

Next, the NWSI and ProLiteracy teamed upto host a community Block Party at SkiddyPark to mark the arrival of ProLiteracy intothe neighborhood. Over 500 residents,agency leaders, and elected officials spent the

afternoon enjoying a beautiful day at the parkwith free food, music, and games for the kids.


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Sep

tember

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In September, Steve Powers, an internationally renowned artist, and his crew of painters came to Syracuse totransform what once was a colossal barrier between the Near Westside and Downtown, into a point of interest, agathering spot, and a conversation. In total, three train bridges were painted with phrases, based on commentsgiven by NWS residents about the community. These three bridges combined created A Love Letter to Syracus

The project received great attention both locally and nationally. Nationally it was picked up by ABC News, GOODMagazine, Juxtapoz Magazine, Richard Florida, and Fast Company,


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The Near Westside ofSyracuse, NY is withina four to five hourdrive of the major artmarkets in the Northeast,including New York City,Philadelphia, Boston,Montreal, and Toronto.


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The Warehouse, Suite 405350 W. Fayette St.Syreacuse NY 13244-3050

315-443-8052 [email protected]

In partnership with Syracuse University

saltdistrict.com

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Documents

SALT District Annual Report 2009-2010