Public invited Tuesday, June 23, to review and discuss design proposals for a segment of the Connective Corridor

Public invited Tuesday, June 23, to review and discuss design proposals for a segment of the Connective CorridorJune 22, 2009Jemeli Tanuijetanui@syr.edu

Syracuse residents, business owners and community leaders are invited to attend an informational meeting to discuss preliminary design strategies for transportation along the Connective Corridor.

The meeting, hosted by the City of Syracuse Department of Engineering, will take place Tuesday, June 23, at the Syracuse Stage Storch Theatre, 820 E. Genesee St., beginning with a design exhibition at 6:30 p.m. and a presentation at 7:15 p.m.

The public information meeting will highlight design strategies–soliciting comment on two designs options–for a 1.5-mile segment of the Corridor along East Genesee Street between University Avenue and South State Street. The project is led by the City of Syracuse and supported by federal funding received to develop transportation improvements, which will include emphasis on bicycle and pedestrian facilities and accommodations, public transportation, traffic-calming measures and other safety improvements.

Syracuse University, the City of Syracuse and Onondaga County are currently working together to design additional segments of the Corridor to be funded by New York State and the Federal Highway Administration; information on these designs will be released at a later date. Through these partnerships, work on the Connective Corridor is providing a platform for creative university-community collaboration and igniting a resurgence of economic development, tourism and population growth in the City of Syracuse.

The upcoming public meeting is part of the continuing efforts by the City of Syracuse, the New York State Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration to encourage public input into the development of transportation projects.

For questions on the meeting including requests for sign language or assistive listening facilitation, contact Christopher Rauber at (315) 448-8219.The Connective Corridor is emerging as a signature strip of cutting-edge cultural development connecting the University Hill with downtown Syracuse, showcasing cultural assets, improving streetscapes, and enhancing our parks and public spaces. The Corridor links more than 25 arts and cultural venues and three major universities through innovative urban design and development projects. The corridor from east to west includes portions of University Avenue, East Genesee Street and Fayette Street.

Support for the Corridor project comes from federal, state and local officials, including former U.S. Rep. James Walsh, who secured $5.8 million in federal funding for transportation improvements; U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer and former Sen. Hillary Clinton, who secured $5 million in public transportation funding; Gov. David Paterson, along with the New York State Assembly and Assemblyman William Magnarelli, who contributed $20 million in state funding; as well as private partners such as National Grid and technology partner Time Warner Cable. Onondaga County recently received a $1.55 million grant through the Federal Highway Administration to develop sections of the Corridor surrounding the Oncenter Complex.

Highlights of progress along the Connective Corridor include:

• Spring 2005: Corridor project is proposed, National Grid commits $1 million for project development;

• Winter 2005-06: Public sessions held to gather community input for the project vision;

• Spring 2006: Syracuse University opens The Warehouse, a renovated space in downtown Syracuse;

• Summer 2006: Design competition held to develop the project vision;

• Fall 2006: Centro and SU announce a partnership to offer transit service;

• Fall 2006: TH3: A city wide art open is established;

• Spring 2007: Community Working Group is established;

• Fall 2007: Barton and Loguidice with CLEAR selected for the city’s transportation project;

• Spring 2008: Community working group selects streets for the Civic Strip and locations for Urban Video Project installations;

• Fall 2008: Urban Video Project launches three permanent sites;

• Fall 2008: Forman park sculpture garden project is announced;

• Fall 2008: Lighted sculptures installed in Fayette Firefighters Memorial Park;

• Spring 2009: King & King Architects relocate headquarters to West Street;

• Spring 2009: Construction of new O’Brien and Gear headquarters;

• Spring 2009: Light sculptures installed along East Genesee Street;

• Spring 2009: Centro launches new distinctive Corridor buses; and

• Spring 2009: Olin Partnership teams with Barton & Loguidice to lead design on state-funded project.

Project development timeline

Final concept designs

For more information about the Connective Corridor, visit: http://www.connectivecorridor.com.