Posted on 11/21/2018 8:29:54 AM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- If a "community grid" is chosen to replace Interstate 81 in downtown Syracuse, what will happen to the land that's now under the aging viaduct's shadow?
Whether it will be turned into green space or developed commercially is still an open question, according to city and state officials. A group of local architects is hoping to force the issue.
The local chapter of the American Institute of Architects estimated in a recent paper that 18.6 acres of land will be made available if the 1.4-mile elevated highway is taken down.
Taking the viaduct down and beefing up the existing street grid is one of several options state engineers are considering for the highway. Other options include rebuilding and widening the existing elevated highway or replacing the viaduct with a tunnel.
State officials have said they will decide which option will be selected early in 2019.
Syracuse officials, including Mayor Ben Walsh, hope the DOT will choose the street-level option, called the "community grid."
As one major selling point, the mayor's office has touted the potential property value increase for property owners and tax revenues for the city that could be generated by developing land made available due to the viaduct's demise.
(Excerpt) Read more at syracuse.com ...
Crime there would get much worse when closed to traffic.
Plazas reinvented shopping and the web is doing even better. Except for very local shopping, I do everything else on the web. Saves time and gas.
The days of the train at Sibley's are over. It's just not the same world.
It was a wonderful city in my youth.
yes it was...
“The idea nobody has apparently thought of is to label the Boulevard and the remaining freeway sections I-81 Business (using the green-and-white shields) to lure more people downtown.”
The idea of demolishing 81 seems ridiculous to me. I drive through Syracuse regularly and can’t see how this would be a good idea. But at least IF they do it, they should make it 81 business... though there’s currently no Business routes anywhere in NY...
NYS DOT report favors 'Community Grid' for I-81 replacement
Meanwhile....
Inside Destiny USA’s mortgage emergency: Crisis or hardball bargaining?
And all while Upstate's depopulation continues apace.
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