My Pictures of Downtown Syracuse, NY (Oswego, Clinton: employment, university, places to live)

[bellafinzi]

Thanks bigdave01 and Moose Hunter!

Dey Brothers store? I'm not sure. Maybe someone else a little bit older can chime in and help.

Syracuse has so much potential, but it's all wasted for two main reasons...

1) it is located in New York State (the most anti-business, anti-growth State in the nation that ingores whole regions in the State)
2) Local leadership is very short-sighted. They lack the vision, passion, and enthusiasm found in most other Metropolitan areas Syracuse's size.

Moose Hunter, I found you're comment "We thought old fashioned looking was ugly" very interesting. Other than a couple new buildings, the only attractive architecture in Syracuse was built before 1950. Most of the "modern" buildings built between 1950 and 1990 were downright ugly IMO. Right now Syracuse desperately needs post-modern architecture to elevate the look of the city. Syracuse looks stuck in a time warp, but not in a good European way, rather in an old rust-belt has-been city way. Too bad that the new Syracuse Westin Hotel will "fit in" instead of stand out. I really thought this was Syracuse's chance to build a symbol of change....a symbol that Syracuse is not just a rust belt city in decline. Instead the architecture of the Syracuse Westin will just reaffirm the lack of vision in local leadership to demand innovative aesthetic pleasing, awe-inspiring architecture. Other than Newhouse III, all new buildings in Syracuse are just repeating the mistakes of the past. This pattern needs to change or else Syracuse will be continued to be over-looked and lack the respect it deserves. Right now Syracuse has a rather depressing built environment that does not inspire pride or innovation.

Sadly local leaders do not even see this problem with aesthetics in Syracuse. I'm dumb founded how our "leaders" do not understand how important "the look" of cities are and how the visual surroundings really affect the psychology of a region.

[Moose Hunter]

Dear Bellafinzi,
Thank you for the nice reply. I just wanted to explain that statement I made about "we thought old fashioned looking was ugly". This was back in the early 1960s. There really wasn't any "old house restoration" going on then, that I can recall. Actually, what happened in the 1960s was during the Lyndon Johnson administration, there was a federal program put forth called (I believe) "Urban Renewal" Of course President Johnson was one of the initiators. This program poured lots of taxpayer dollars into "modernizing" the appearance of the cities. Old buildings, although perfectly structurally sound, were just torn down and those ghastly modern looking structures were built to replace them. Most of these structures were of the "Brutalist" style. They looked like huge blocks, and made sort of a brutal statement to those who looked at them. (I think that the old Sibley Store, on Salina St. between Jefferson and Onondaga is somewhat of an example) (and by the way, on that site were some great old movie houses that my friends and I would go to and watch the movies that were first run, out of Hollywood) . Some old structures weren't torn down and replaced with modern ones, they just had a "modern" facade put over them, to make them look like a modern building. The effect really just made them look cheesy. This is what happened to the Dey Brothers Store.
I can't really remember how I personally felt about all of this. The old buildings were usually left poorly maintained and dirty. This made them seem unattractive. (Of course, that was a great tactic for getting this "Urban Renewal" program accepted by the public). I did however buy an old dilapidated Victorian House, about 35 years ago, and restored it. (I'm a bit hesitant to identify the location) Eventually, the neighborhood became so dangerous to live in that I left. Anyhow, attitudes began to change in the 1970s about the old fashioned looking houses. Some younger people began to appreciate the old architecture. However, during that time in the 1970s, most older people still hated the old Victorian houses.
You mention that Syracuse is located in an anti-growth, anti-business State. You would be surprised how some politicians in New York City feel about Upstate New York. They actually claim that a lot more of their money is going from New York City to Upstate New York than they get in NYC. They even scream about wanting to secede and leaving Upstate NY hanging out to dry. Go figure that one out. Any way, I've rambled on enough. Thank you again for posting all of those photos

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by bellafinzi

That's why we elected Spitzer...to bring population growth back to Central New York.

Wanna eat some crow now? LOL!

[ScranBarre]

Bella, I hate to be a pain in your derriere, but do you have any more photos of the Flatiron Building? That's truly my favorite in the entire city!

[bellafinzi]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

Bella, I hate to be a pain in your derriere, but do you have any more photos of the Flatiron Building? That's truly my favorite in the entire city!

Here you go....





ScranBarre, I've been meaning to ask you this, but I put it off hoping this forum would take off soon. It hasn't.... so here goes. How exactly did you get so many residents of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to post in your Northeast PA forum?

At best, the Syracuse forum attracts only a few Syracuse area residents who post for a couple weeks and never come back. I made a bunch of new threads to try and lure locals to post, but frankly, I'm sick of listening to myself. I'd be real happy if at least 5 or 6 more intelligent, well-spoken forum members from the Syracuse area posted regularly. Sadly, but I bet if this forum was about Collegiate sports, droves of SU fans would be posting away. Too bad there aren't many loyal die hard Syracuse area fans that want to post on message boards....

[skaneatelesmom]

Bella,
That was my fear about establishing a Syracuse forum and why I voted no. It is too limiting. We've lost the folks who stumbled upon topics and left insightful posts. Is it too late to lose our Syracuse forum and go back to the general pool?
Joanne

[HomerBrink]

SWB- Nothing one is preventing you from moving to Syracuse. I think you'd like it.

[ScranBarre]

Thanks, Bella! If I ever win the lottery I'm going to build an edifice like that in Downtown Scranton and make the top floor my own penthouse with a grand balcony overlooking the city skyline. I truly don't know why the NEPA sub-forum has taken off as much as it has. We've been blessed in that (most) of our original long-time posters have stuck around through thick and thin. I know I've strived to make "Scranton" a household name on this forum through my photo tours and endless ranting and raving. We also have TREMENDOUS relocation interest from people from NJ, NYC, Long Island, and Downstate NY who lick their chops at how cheap our housing is. I wish you the best of luck though on getting this sub-forum off the ground---Greater Syracuse is a marvelous place.

[bellafinzi]

Originally Posted by skaneatelesmom

Bella,
That was my fear about establishing a Syracuse forum and why I voted no. It is too limiting. We've lost the folks who stumbled upon topics and left insightful posts. Is it too late to lose our Syracuse forum and go back to the general pool?
Joanne

I see what you mean. Contrary to what some believe, it wasn't my idea to establish a Syracuse forum, but I still think it can work. Just look at the Rochester and Buffalo forums. Those forums have no trouble attracting a wide range of opinions.

Thanks ScranBarre! If I had a magic wand I couldn't even begin to tell you everything I'd change about Syracuse.

Moose Hunter, Syracuse is truly all alone. Most people in Syracuse still haven't realized it yet. New York City and Downstate do not care about Syracuse. Western New York...Buffalo and Rochester...do not care about Syracuse. Albany/Capital District and Bruno only care about themselves. Even Ithaca does not care about Syracuse. The problem is most in Syracuse are playing a team game. When Syracuse hands the ball to Ithaca or Rochester, people in Syracuse believe these other cities are "team players". When in fact these other places are very selfish and could care less about Syracuse's interest. Syracuse is a very naive city filled with very naive people and leadership. The only reason I see through all the bull that goes on in this State is that sadly I'm quite jaded. People in Syracuse are just too nice sometimes. Unfortunately, at this time in history Syracuse desperately needs jaded leadership that wants progress and growth at all costs. Not leadership that is afraid to step on toes. LOL

[Moose Hunter]

Originally Posted by bellafinzi

I see what you mean. Contrary to what some believe, it wasn't my idea to establish a Syracuse forum, but I still think it can work. Just look at the Rochester and Buffalo forums. Those forums have no trouble attracting a wide range of opinions.

Thanks ScranBarre! If I had a magic wand I couldn't even begin to tell you everything I'd change about Syracuse.

Moose Hunter, Syracuse is truly all alone. Most people in Syracuse still haven't realized it yet. New York City and Downstate do not care about Syracuse. Western New York...Buffalo and Rochester...do not care about Syracuse. Albany/Capital District and Bruno only care about themselves. Even Ithaca does not care about Syracuse. The problem is most in Syracuse are playing a team game. When Syracuse hands the ball to Ithaca or Rochester, people in Syracuse believe these other cities are "team players". When in fact these other places are very selfish and could care less about Syracuse's interest. Syracuse is a very naive city filled with very naive people and leadership. The only reason I see through all the bull that goes on in this State is that sadly I'm quite jaded. People in Syracuse are just too nice sometimes. Unfortunately, at this time in history Syracuse desperately needs jaded leadership that wants progress and growth at all costs. Not leadership that is afraid to step on toes. LOL

Dear Bellafinzi,
Although I no longer live in Syracuse, it still has a huge place in my heart. I lived in the Syracuse area for such long a period of time that it would definitely qualify to be a "lifetime". I kind of get the feeling that you pretty much just want people who live around Syracuse to post on your "blog", if that is the correct term to use. I'm probably never going to move back at this point of my life. However, I know a lot about the history of Syracuse. (It really is unique!) I'd love to post on your site with some information, if it is alright with you. I feel that I'm qualified to write about a lot more than just my own recollections. Let me know how you feel about this. I may be of some help. Thanks.... Moose Hunter (what a silly name I came up with for myself)