Syracuse Construction Update (Thompson, Fayette, East Syracuse: parking, deals, finance)

[urbanplanner]

Brookings to help write a business plan and export strategy for Central New York | syracuse.com

I think bringing the Brookings Institute into the picture will add the global expertise necessary in formulating an export policy that will advance Syracuse's transition from a heavy manufacturing to a green-based-high-tech economy. Metro Syracuse seems to be in good company with, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Portland, Los Angeles, Seattle and Northeast Ohio (most likely Cleveland metro) in striving for global export markets. On the side, I have to say that I am very impressed with Rob Simpson of Centerstate. I think you have a good team up there with people like Simpson and Nancy Cantor of SU, they are thinking outside the box which is exactly what metro Syracuse and CNY need as it reinvents itself.

[RollsRoyce]

Originally Posted by urbanplanner

Brookings to help write a business plan and export strategy for Central New York | syracuse.com

I think bringing the Brookings Institute into the picture will add the global expertise necessary in formulating an export policy that will advance Syracuse's transition from a heavy manufacturing to a green-based-high-tech economy. Metro Syracuse seems to be in good company with, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Portland, Los Angeles, Seattle and Northeast Ohio (most likely Cleveland metro) in striving for global export markets. On the side, I have to say that I am very impressed with Rob Simpson of Centerstate. I think you have a good team up there with people like Simpson and Nancy Cantor of SU, they are thinking outside the box which is exactly what metro Syracuse and CNY need as it reinvents itself.

Hopefully this will be the linchpin Syracuse needs, however I can't say I'm optimistic based on region's poor track record of implementing recommendations made by outside consultants. From Andres Duany to Richard Florida and more recently the Ford Foundation, CenterState CEO,(formerly the MDA), the city and county have engaged many high profile consultants looking for a panacea to solve the region's problems. Each report often presents a sobering reality of CNY's economic viability and recommends certain actions, initiatives, and projects be implemented in the near term in order to reverse a half century of decline. Once the consultants return to Washington, New York, and Chicago and the press releases issued by the MDA/CenterState CEO become a distant memory, all of these reports gather dust on a shelf with many older reports in the State Tower Building, City Hall or Civic Center.

To be fair, many of the recommendations in these reports involve spending considerable money; something the city and county simply do not have while others require legislation, (ie landbank, historic tax credits) that must be approved at the state level.

I'm still waiting to hear if the Ford Foundation's assistance several years ago in cataloging information on Syracuse's vacant commercial properties has been helpful in attracting additional investment activity from developers or end-users.

[urbanplanner]

Lysander planning board rejects scope, size of proposed Northwest YMCA | syracuse.com

What a wasted opportunity! I think the Lysander planning boards' decision to reject the proposed Y is a disservice to the northern suburbs, not just Lysander. Considering the dynamic growth taking place from Cicero to Lysander/Van Buren, the northern suburbs of metro Syracuse NEED's this facility.

As pointed out in yesterday's P-S article (not attached), the Radisson general project plan allows for special uses, such as “community facilities.’ The ESDC ruled in July 2010 that the proposed Y fits the description of a community facility under Radisson’s land use plans. It seems that the interests of a few prevailed during yesterday Planning Board vote.

Is there any possiblity that this facility could be built in Clay or Cicero? Considering the conformity to the general plan, maybe the Y should sue!

[ckhthankgod]

Basically and I think it could help provide a more balanced way of viewing the area. It's not like there haven't been other sectors in the area, but I think they to be brought out in order to show what is here.

[RollsRoyce]

Originally Posted by urbanplanner

Lysander planning board rejects scope, size of proposed Northwest YMCA | syracuse.com

What a wasted opportunity! I think the Lysander planning boards' decision to reject the proposed Y is a disservice to the northern suburbs, not just Lysander. Considering the dynamic growth taking place from Cicero to Lysander/Van Buren, the northern suburbs of metro Syracuse NEED's this facility.

As pointed out in yesterday's P-S article (not attached), the Radisson general project plan allows for special uses, such as “community facilities.’ The ESDC ruled in July 2010 that the proposed Y fits the description of a community facility under Radisson’s land use plans. It seems that the interests of a few prevailed during yesterday Planning Board vote.

Is there any possiblity that this facility could be built in Clay or Cicero? Considering the conformity to the general plan, maybe the Y should sue!

I for once, actually agree with the decision to reject the proposal based on its size. There are plenty of properties in Radisson zoned industrial or commercial that would have been suitable for the proposed monolith. The project's backers and YMCA board wanted to dump the project in a highly visible location at the entrance to Radisson and Route 31 to in order to attract as many members as possible with total disregard for the existing residents who purchased new homes and are paying in excess of $15,000 in property taxes. Many neighbors in the upscale Oak Brook neighborhood of Radisson bought property with the understanding that the vacant land with mature trees would be developed for residential purposes if at all. When the neighbors voiced their concerns, they were immediately vilified by the bitter white trash contingent on syracuse.com and 9wsyr.com and branded as elitists. I can't blame people for objecting to a project that would negatively impact their property values. The purchase of a home is one of the biggest investments a person makes.

That being said, I very much support a YMCA. Perhaps the former Cicero Commons lot that was recently the site of the now panned Loretto nursing home project.

[urbanplanner]

"Tax break request for new SU bookstore runs into opposition"

Tax break request for new SU bookstore runs into opposition | syracuse.com

Though I am concerned about the increasing amount of tax exempt property facing the City of Syracuse impacting its budget, I do support this project. I think it will become a destination for the entire community, not just students and faculty. I think the bookstore will entice visitors to visit other university and downtwon points of interest. I assume that revenue forgone from property taxes could be made up in sales taxes.

Question: does a vote by SIDA have to unanimous to be approved?

[urbanplanner]

Conference on economics, disabilities scheduled at SU

May not be newsworthy, but I thought this was very impressive...

[phaelon56]

[quote=urbanplanner;19719787]
Though I am concerned about the increasing amount of tax exempt property facing the City of Syracuse impacting its budget, I do support this project. I think it will become a destination for the entire community, not just students and faculty. I think the bookstore will entice visitors to visit other university and downtown points of interest. I assume that revenue forgone from property taxes could be made up in sales taxes. [\quote]

The developer is asking the city to give up a minimum of $14,766,000 in property taxes (would be more if value of building and/or tax rate increased over time)in return for a one-time payment of $250,000?

[quote]Tom Valenti, a principal in the Cameron Group, said the building would be entitled to the same exemption if the university built it and owned it. The only difference in this case is that the university is contracting with a private developer to finance and build it, he said. He said the university will not pay his company enough rent for the developer to pay full property taxes on the building.[\quote]

If a private for-profit developer can't make a profit on a level playing field (i.e. taxable) when the university rents the building from him then why should the city taxpayers foot the bill for his profit? Let the university build the building and shoulder the risk while they continue to enjoy tax-exempt status on the property. In my opinion there is nothing compelling enough about the goods for sale at the SU Bookstore that would draw people from the community to begin shopping there simply because it moves five blocks down the hill from its current location. It will still be paid parking, not offer easy access and the only unique thing on offer is the specific textbooks needed for SU classes. If you're taking those then you're already on campus and will go to the bookstore no matter where it's located.

[phaelon56]

The developer is asking the city to give up a minimum of $14,766,000 in property taxes (would be more if value of building and/or tax rate increased over time)in return for a one-time payment of $250,000?

from the article:

"Tom Valenti, a principal in the Cameron Group, said the building would be entitled to the same exemption if the university built it and owned it. The only difference in this case is that the university is contracting with a private developer to finance and build it, he said. He said the university will not pay his company enough rent for the developer to pay full property taxes on the building."

If a private for-profit developer can't make a profit on a level playing field (i.e. taxable) when the university rents the building from him then why should the city taxpayers foot the bill for his profit? If the developer can't get a high enough lease payment to make the numbers work then let the university build the building and shoulder the risk while they continue to enjoy tax-exempt status on the property. In my opinion there is nothing compelling enough about the goods for sale at the SU Bookstore that would draw people from the community to begin shopping there simply because it moves five blocks down the hill from its current location. It will still be paid parking, not offer easy access and the only unique thing on offer is the specific textbooks needed for SU classes. If you're taking those then you're already on campus and will go to the bookstore no matter where it's located. The additional sales tax revenue that could from such a project woudl be a paltry sum or perhaps there would be no measurable increase at all.

[Sean®]

Serious question.

I don't know how many bookstores Syracuse has because the Barnes&Noble on Erie Blvd is all I need though I far prefer the one in NH.

But assuming its that one or more and one can drive right up, park for free, have a coffee and buy whatever whim they have that day why would anyone pay to park??

It makes no sense to give tax free status.