Community Grid Vision Plan

Overview

With a joint Record of Decision announced on May 2022, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) officially began the process of removing Interstate-81 through the heart of the City of Syracuse and replacing it with the Community Grid alternative. This announcement came at the end of a very long and thorough Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process which saw years of community input and thousands of comments, questions, and answers. 

At about the same time, the City of Syracuse hired the I-81 Removal Vision Plan team, led by Dover, Kohl, & Partners – an urban design and planning firm from Coral Gables, Florida. The city assigned this team of planners, architects, engineers, and experts in the fields of housing, development, economics, and anti-displacement with the task of making sure the community’s voices and ideas for the Community Grid remained the guiding influence for the project until it’s final design and construction.

This document is intended to reflect those voices and ideas as well as guide decision-makers on how to develop the Community Grid into something all Syracusans can benefit from. We hope it continues to inspire, effect positive change, and create the best possible future for all now and in the many years to come.

Who is involved?