Governor Hochul Announces Up to $29 Million funding for Syracuse

Published on June 22, 2022

This release was issued by the Office of New York State Governor Kathy Hochul

Funding from FY 2023 Budget to be Available for Pre-Development Site Preparation

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced up to $29 million in funding available in the FY 2023 Enacted State Budget to help the City of Syracuse with its plans to redevelop the former Syracuse Developmental Center as a regional job hub and mixed income housing site. This funding serves to support wide-reaching investments being made by the Governor in workforce development and affordable housing across the state.  

“Revamping abandoned, vacant sites into updated venues of all kinds is a no-brainer, helping spur economic development while revitalizing communities and bringing new opportunities,” Governor Hochul said. “The former Syracuse Developmental Center site could go a long way in serving the Central New York region with the plans put forth by the City of Syracuse. I am proud to invest in this transformative project and look forward to the good it will bring to the people of the region.”  

The state funding will be used for pre-development site preparation work including the demolition and remediation of the existing structures on the site as well as infrastructure investments to expand water and sewer service lines, roads and sidewalks, tree planting, canopy and lighting throughout the site.  

The State-funded site preparation work will support the City of Syracuse’s proposal for new commercial, advanced manufacturing facilities and new multi-tenant residential buildings for mixed income housing at the vacant site at 800-2 S. Wilbur Avenue, which the City seized after several years of tax delinquency.  

State Senator John W. Mannion said, “The Syracuse Developmental Center site, abandoned for over two decades, will finally be revitalized following this up to $29 million investment for demolition and remediation. This funding provided in the State Budget will go a long way to ensure the former Syracuse Developmental Center can be safely repurposed while bringing jobs and new housing to our region. I applaud the leadership of Governor Hochul to ensure the former Syracuse Developmental Center site can be redeveloped for all of Central New York.” 

State Senator Rachel May said, “Syracuse and Central New York continue to grow, and I’m thrilled to see the progress on the Syracuse Developmental Center site. With mixed-income housing and a career hub, the improvements to this site will provide much-needed affordable housing and important job resources for Syracuse residents. I want to thank Governor Hochul for her work on this much-needed and exciting investment to continue the momentum of Syracuse’s resurgence.”

Assemblymember William Magnarelli said, “Knowing this property quite well, having been a union electrician’s helper when the present structures were built in the early 1970s, I am happy to see this wonderful property put into use again. The transformation of the property into quality housing and a hub for high tech jobs is a great investment in the City of Syracuse.” 

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said, “With Governor Hochul’s assistance, we are one step closer to making the former Syracuse Developmental Center site a premier example of transformation and opportunity. After decades as an eyesore, my administration seized the 48-acre vacant property for back taxes in 2019 to protect the neighborhoods around it and to bring it back to productive use. In alignment with the Syracuse Surge, our strategy for inclusive growth in the New Economy, we’ve identified partners to bring high tech jobs and quality housing to the property. I thank Governor Hochul for supporting our vision and providing the state resources we need to prepare this site for redevelopment and ensure it has a bright future for all of Syracuse.