University, City of Syracuse Announce New Service Agreement; Includes Significant New Investments and Revenue Generation

For nearly 40 years, Syracuse University and the City of Syracuse have forged an increasingly strong relationship through a service agreement. This agreement outlines how the University and the city will work together to improve public safety, infrastructure, education, culture and overall quality of life for those who live and work on campus and in the surrounding neighborhoods.

This week, the University and city announced a new and updated five-year agreement that runs through 2026. It represents a significant increase in the University’s support for city services. Under the agreement, University support will generate $11 million in revenue for the city, an increase of $4 million over the previous five-year agreement. The new agreement also includes an additional $465,000 of in-kind services and maintaining previous in-kind service commitments to the Syracuse City School District, public safety, parks maintenance and community services by multiple Syracuse University schools and colleges.

“The value of our relationship with the city is in many ways incalculable,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “Still, when we update this agreement every five years, it reminds us of the investments we have each made in this region and in each other, and how we depend upon each other to be successful. This pandemic brought us even closer, demonstrating how important it is to be aligned in vision, both for public health and public prosperity.”

“The University is a powerful economic engine for the city, county and region,” says Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh, who received a master of public administration degree from the Maxwell School. “Through the employment of thousands of people and the support of small businesses, vendors and contractors throughout the region, the University generates billions of dollars in economic activity. In return, the city provides the University with many services that sustain and advance a thriving academic institution, from fire and police protection to snow removal and access to a high-quality clean water system. We are each beneficiaries of this long-standing partnership.”

In addition to the new service agreement, the University will continue to fund the University Neighborhood Service Agreement with a $500,000 payment that will be shared by area community organizations to support programs and services in the neighborhoods around campus and maintain current safety patrols in the area surrounding campus and adjacent streets. Further, the University agrees to provide additional maintenance, such as snow removal and landscaping support, for Walnut Park and part of Thornden Park along Ostrom Avenue.

The agreement calls for some of the payments made by the University to be credited to the fees assessed under the new municipal sidewalk program, which will include the creation of a new crosswalk near Thornden Park. It also calls for the city to provide assistance in the permitting process; hire an additional code inspector who will focus on University needs; and ensure a community safety officer will be on duty to enhance safety and security for the Schine Student Center and South Campus. The estimated value of the new city services under the agreement is $150,000.