New York State Executive Chamber | Governor Eliot Spitzer

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GOVERNOR SPITZER UNVEILS “CITY-BY-CITY” ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Focused On Spurring Private Sector Investment in Core Upstate Communities High Priority Projects Announced for Syracuse and Potsdam

Governor Eliot Spitzer today continued outlining his vision for regionally tailored economic development efforts. At a meeting of business and community leaders in Syracuse, the Governor discussed projects that would receive funding as part of his long-term strategy for economic expansion in Syracuse and Potsdam.

The Governor’s “City-by-City” plans, which he has also unveiled in Buffalo, Rochester and Plattsburgh, are a component of the administration’s larger Upstate agenda announced earlier this year, which focuses on reducing the costs of business, adapting to an Innovation Economy, and strengthening infrastructure. The “City-by-City” plans identify priority projects in and around Upstate cities that capitalize on each region's unique assets and are selected based on their potential to spur additional private investment and greater economic development.

“We often talk about the Upstate economy as if it was some monolithic region, but quite the opposite is true,” said Governor Spitzer. “A ‘one size fits all’ approach hasn’t worked. The projects we’re announcing today were selected to build on the unique strengths of Syracuse and Potsdam. Both depend heavily on collaborations between communities and universities, and we believe represent public dollars well spent to yield major economic impacts in these regions of the state.”

The Governor announced the following specific commitments:

The Connective Corridor is an urban design project that involves developing a signature landscape and transit system connecting Syracuse’s major educational and medical institutions with arts and cultural organizations, and businesses downtown. State assistance will be used for landscaping and streetscape improvements to develop a pathway joining the convention center, hotels, cultural venues and restaurants in downtown Syracuse with Syracuse University. The Governor and the Assembly are together committing $20 million toward the initial phase of the project. Funding for this and additional phases are subject to future legislative appropriations.

Downtown Convention Center District Parking Garage is an essential infrastructure improvement needed as the community invests in the Convention Center District. The state’s $2.5 million investment will support construction of a parking garage on the site of what is now the old Public Safety Building.

Near West Side Initiative. The state’s $2 million investment in the Near West Side Initiative will support the transformation of warehouse and commercial structures in a three block area encompassed by West Fayette Street, Wyoming Street, Tully Street and West Street into a creative community of residences and workspaces for artists, designers, technologists and innovators. The project includes the creation of 50 “green” housing units, commercial and retail space, and a WCNY broadcasting and educational center.

438 North Franklin is the last vacant structure in the lower Franklin Square area to be developed, and the state’s $2 million investment will support demolition of the current building to make way for construction of a five story building with 36 residential units and 12,000 square feet of retail space.

300 Block of South Salina. The state’s $3 million investment in the 300 Block of South Salina Street will support the transformation and redesign of three completely vacant buildings and 12 buildings with unused upper floors into mixed-use residential and commercial office space.

Clarkson Downtown Campus Business Incubator (Potsdam). The Village of Potsdam in partnership with Clarkson University has worked to develop an appropriate reuse of the university’s downtown campus. Peyton Hall, a vacant building, is being renovated into a mixed used facility, including a business incubator on the first floor. In 2006, New York State committed $1.9 million toward this downtown redevelopment initiative and will commit an additional $300,000 to construct an elevator that will facilitate the development of the building’s upper floors.

“While each of our core communities is different, they do have one thing in common -- they have all been held back by too many competing priorities,” continued Governor Spitzer. “Each region has a deep well of potential that has remained untapped because of key projects that have stalled and been mired in gridlock. Our ‘City-by-City’ plan will break this gridlock because we have established priorities and will provide the leadership, collaborative approach, funding, and the will to get them done.”

Daniel C. Gundersen, chairman of Upstate Empire State Development, said: “State agencies have a clear directive to focus on the Upstate economy. We are coordinating policies and programs that are focused on producing a better business climate and healthier environment for stimulating private sector growth.”

Nancy Cantor, Chancellor of Syracuse University said: Syracuse University Chancellor and President Nancy Cantor said” “We are excited to host Governor Spitzer as he unveils his ‘City-by-City’ economic development plan for Syracuse and the Central New York region. The Governor clearly recognizes the positive, transformative role that state government can play in helping communities create the collaborative partnerships and make the critical investments that can revitalize and reinvigorate urban centers like Syracuse.”

Mayor Matthew Driscoll said: “When Gov Spitzer took office he pledged that the revitalization of Upstate would begin with the revitalization of its long neglected urban centers. Today's strategic investments deliver on that vision and provide the city and our partners with vital funding for projects stretching from the lakefront through downtown and on up to University Hill”

Today’s announcements follow early successes by the administration: lowering workers compensation rates by 20 percent and saving New York’s businesses $1.2 billion annually; cutting business and property taxes, and reducing the rate of health care spending.

Today marks the 133rd day since the Senate agreed to Wicks Law reforms that are critical to improving the state’s business climate. The Senate’s refusal to enact these reforms has already cost taxpayers at least $34 million dollars and counting.

A fact sheet about the projects is attached PDF.

A copy of the speech will be available at http://www.ny.gov/governor/keydocs/keydocs-speeches.html