I have lived in Syracuse pretty much my whole life. I remember when there was industry and manufacturing, jobs and money. Downtown was thriving. Syracuse was thriving. I remember also when Syracuse began to decline and business started to move out, manufacturing dwindled, the beautiful houses on James Street were torn down and downtown was gutted. It is important to remember that Syracuse was a blue collar town, supported by factories and it struggled for decades to wrap its head around the fact that the factory era was over and was not coming back. All that seemed left for Syracuse was having the most polluted lake in the United States and a rustbelt legacy. Then, about 10 years ago, I was downtown and actually felt something was changing. There were new businesses and restaurants and activity. I could actually sense an energy in the city for the first time in decades. Something was happening! I had met John DeSantis through other endeavors and he invited me to a Believe in Syracuse meeting. Through this group I have met a group of people who are a generation removed from the rustbelt, polluted lake past and not defined by it. These are the people who are molding this new future for Syracuse and see a different future for our city. We are moving forward. Syracuse is growing and changing. There is so much to experience and do and be part of. I am learning more about my city all the time. It is an exciting time and we have a choice. Syracuse is so much more than the lake and the mall and that is why I believe in Syracuse. Kathy Speed Interim Secretary Board of Directors Believe in Syracuse |
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Intro by John DeSantis:
Over the past year, we have built Believe in Syracuse and our website into a great place for Central New Yorkers and Syracuse supporters to come for information on the positive things happening in our area and the positive aspects of our community. One big part of the progress that is happening here in Syracuse is Economic Development. On that subject, our friend Mike Short will be contributing regularly to our blog. His blog posts will be describing some of the progress Syracuse is making through economic development. Below is an introductory article about Mike and his important work in the community. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written By Nina Housman with contributions from W. Michael Short These are exciting times for social entrepreneurs in Syracuse, New York. That’s the message I got from a conversation I had with W. Michael Short, founder and principal of Short Enterprises, who just won the Best of Syracuse Award for his work as a social entrepreneur in helping to revitalize our city. Through our conversations and a series of email exchanges, I got a picture of a city open to innovative public/private partnerships and welcoming of those who want to lead socially beneficial development efforts and community initiatives. Opportunities for social change through innovative partnerships exist here in ways that they may not in some larger cities. We may even be able to serve as a model for accomplishing positive change for other smaller cities struggling with similar challenges such as unemployment, poverty, illiteracy, and declining population. As someone committed to a vision of urban revitalization that preserves and strengthens existing neighborhoods, I find that prospect exciting. Michael and I first met when he was a Syracuse University Graduate Fellow and Deputy Director of the nonprofit Near Westside Initiative (NWSI). His commitment to transforming Syracuse through positive change was evident then, when he spearheaded efforts to launch a revolving micro-loan program for community entrepreneurs in partnership with the Southside Innovation Center (SSIC), Cooperative Federal Credit Union, and the Central New York Community Foundation. He also created and chaired the Near Westside Business Association and developed a neighborhood-based small business development program with partners at SSIC and the New York State Small Business Development Center at Onondaga Community College. These efforts were all part of the overall mission of the NWSI to move what was once the 9th poorest neighborhood in the United States in a more positive direction. His efforts to assist small community businesses, Michael explains, allowed him to work with people like Bob Herz, whose leadership at the SSIC resulted in it being named the National Business Incubator of the year in 2012, and who has now gone on to serve as Director of the New York State Senate Select Committee on Science, Technology, Incubation, & Entrepreneurship. “People like Bob really showed me how to get things done and showed me how an entrepreneur could do good in the community,” Michael added. But what’s a social entrepreneur? There are different definitions but common threads involve those who develop and pursue partnerships between the private sector, nonprofits, and government entities to solve communal and social challenges such as low literacy rates, poverty, urban revitalization, low employment, or developing sustainable solutions to environmental problems. In Michael’s case this has involved spearheading public/private partnerships to help turn a vicious cycle of community challenges into a virtuous one in Central New York by focusing on diverse projects involving community development, low literacy rates in children, green infrastructure, storm-water management, and the redevelopment of derelict, abandoned, and tax delinquent properties. As Michael described it to me, in addition to bringing partners together and helping facilitate the process of developing a vision for change, his role has included being a kind of translator, helping partners communicate better to define challenges and achieve common goals more effectively and efficiently. Michael credits his educational background with providing him the skills necessary to serve in this capacity. Specifically, he notes his experiences at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, widely regarded as the most prestigious communications school in the United States. According to Michael, “transparent, strategic, and reciprocal communications management is a crucial ingredient in any successful public/private partnership.” After learning under the trusted-hand of SU’s Vice President for Community Engagement and Economic Development, Marilyn Higgins, who he considers a mentor and inspiration, Michael launched his own social enterprise in 2011 to pursue the social goals he cared about. “As a Graduate Fellow at SU, I was able to be involved in large-scale efforts to transform the community through projects like the Near Westside Initiative and Connective Corridor,” Michael explained. “I was also able to learn from and work with community leaders such as Marilyn Higgins, Paul NoJaim, Anne Messenger, Carole Horan, the Gifford Foundation, the Community Foundation, the list goes on and on, and these relationships have changed my life and inspired me to start my own social enterprise.” One of his early projects after launching Short Enterprises involved a partnership with the Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County (LCOC) and the Central New York Community Foundation in authoring the City of Syracuse’s Literacy Action Plan. That plan recognized the centrality of literacy to overcoming the social and economic challenges associated with poverty and unemployment. As stated in the City’s Literacy Action Plan, “considerable steps have been taken to facilitate access to comprehensive literacy and community services for individuals and families as they cycle in and out of poverty.” Michael continues to be involved with these noteworthy efforts, which were recognized in 2013 by the National Campaign for Grade Level Reading. Michael credits the persistence and determination of Virginia Carmody, LCOC Executive Director, with moving these noteworthy efforts forward. "Working closely with community partners, I am convinced our targeted and measurable community impact strategy will improve the educational outcomes for disadvantaged children in our community," said Carmody. Two of the other more publicized areas of focus for Michael have involved innovative green infrastructure installations associated with the “Save the Rain” program of Onondaga County and the redevelopment of derelict, abandoned, contaminated, and tax delinquent properties on the City’s Near Westside. Both of these efforts have been associated with expansion efforts at the Onondaga Commons health and human services campus, which involves a number of innovative private/public partnerships designed to benefit the entire community. Michael explained that the plan for the 5.5-acre Onondaga Commons has several phases but will ultimately be determined by the property owner as the efforts move forward. “We typically assist property owners in identifying opportunities and help them develop a strategy to achieve goals that are in line with the broader community,” Michael explained. “In the case of Onondaga Commons, one of the more visible projects we have assisted with, we were able to develop and put in motion plans to address a number of vacant neglected properties and incorporate what will be the largest green infrastructure project privately pursued in Onondaga County once complete.” These green infrastructure projects will manage up to 10 million gallons of rainwater runoff and storm water annually and prevent the overload of the local sewer system, which in turn will stop raw sewage from overflowing into Onondaga Lake. Working with Kyle Thomas of Natural Systems Engineering, who he cited as a key partner, Michael was able to develop the framework for the green infrastructure projects and secured over a millions dollars of County funding to support its implementation. Michael was quick to credit Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney for her vision in spearheading the “Save the Rain” program, which among other efforts have resulted in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency naming Onondaga County and Syracuse one of the country’s top 10 leaders in green infrastructure. The interconnection of the deterioration and abandonment of derelict buildings with an overall decline in the social state of a neighborhood, a reduction in tax base, declining services, low literacy, high unemployment and chronic drug use seem intuitive. It is also supported by evidence, such as that provided by a report that Michael referred me to by the National Vacant Properties Campaign and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/documents/true-costs.pdf) This report shows why it’s vital to reclaim vacant buildings in neighborhoods facing social and economic challenges. Understanding this, Michael worked with Onondaga Commons to expand its footprint to include a number of adjacent vacant properties. Michael spearheaded these efforts in partnership with the property owner and with assistance from the City and Onondaga County. Restoring these properties will be another way to contribute to the well-being and economic revitalization of this challenged Near Westside community. In particular, he commended the City of Syracuse, and Ben Walsh in particular, the City’s Deputy Commissioner for Neighborhood & Business Development, for his continued support and assistance throughout the process of acquiring these properties and for serving as a resource on this and other projects that he is working on. When asked how other young people with similar interests could get involved in efforts to better the community, Michael explained that volunteering your time is key. “Get involved… you have to be willing to give your time and devote yourself to a cause greater than yourself without the expectation of any individual reward,” he explained. “By doing this you can start to build a reputation as a ‘go to’ person with good ideas who gets things done.” In Michael’s case, he has served on the board of directors of the Huntington Family Centers since 2010, a local nonprofit settlement house focused on providing year round programming designed to strengthen families and individuals in need through an array of youth, family, and adult services. “When you get involved in these types of efforts you meet other good intentioned people with similar interests and goals for a better community,” explained Michael who now serves as chair of the board’s marketing and communications committee. Michael also serves on the Neighborhood Advisory Council for the Westside community center run by P.E.A.C.E., Inc. – also known as the “little white house of hope,” as Michael refers to it. He explains that the work of the center’s director, Mary Alice Smothers, is a particular inspiration to him. “She works every single day and night to make sure the youth in the struggling Near Westside community have access to opportunities for growth, learning, and enrichment,” said Michael, who considers Smothers a close friend and mentor. “Mary Alice has devoted her life to making sure these kids know that they can do or be any thing that they set their minds to… she is an inspiration to me on a daily basis and I would do anything to support her.” And what’s next for Michael Short? He continues to work with a diverse array of clients and says that he has a number of exciting projects in the works. One in particular involves “an exciting opportunity” to partner with the Clinton Global Initiative, which he hopes will bring attention to and further leverage the impressive work being done in Central New York. “More on that to come soon,” he said with a smile. He also says he is exploring opportunities for his own development company in order to fully realize his vision of transforming communities in Syracuse and beyond in a positive direction through public/private partnerships. If you’re interested in doing something similar, I think he might find the time to give you some advice and encouragement. For more information about Short Enterprises, visit them online at http://shortenterprises.biz/ Since this video was put out just a few days ago, it has had incredible response. Local Film Producer James Domroe released it on Monday and in 48 hours it has had over 5,200 views on YouTube. It has gotten rave reviews. Watch it for yourself below: The video inspired David C. Ashley to compose this list of Syracuse's 10 Unique Assets. If it were a list of 20, what others would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments section below.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Syracuse New York’s 10 Unique Assets 1. The Safest City- in the United States from natural disasters- per study in 2013. 2. The Emerald City-Sustainability- SUNY ESF and the Syracuse Center of Excellence hold nationally ranked green conferences yearly, DestinyUSA is the largest LEED rated commercial complex in USA and home of Rick Fedrizzi- founding director of U. S. Green Building Council and home of Carrier Corporation and Willis Carrier, inventor of air conditioning. There is abundant water supply and Global Warming will be a positive factor here in climate and growth, not a negative factor. 3. DestinyUSA- The largest single shopping, dining and entertainment complex in the Northeast. 4. Center of the Northeast – 3/4 of the population of North America is within 500 miles, one days vehicle travel, sea port access is 30 minutes away at Oswego. We are at the bull eye of roads and rail lines going north, south, east and west plus having an International airport. 5. Progressive diversity – International flavor of diverse well-educated population, progressive politically with business supportive climate. Auto history: Home of the famous innovative Franklin Automobile Company and typewriter history: home of Smith Corona; air-conditioning history: home of Willis Carrier and the Carrier Corporation. 6. The BIG small city- Surrounded by colleges and universities and having its own symphony, opera and professional theater, it has diverse dining and entertainment including the famous Dinosaur Barbecue and SU always nationally ranked in BB and there is a AAA baseball team, The Chiefs and pro hockey, The Crunch. Low cost of living 7. Four seasons recreational opportunities – We have 48 golf courses, boating and swimming on many local lakes, Erie Canal and Lake Ontario, five 30-minute-away ski centers, Adirondacks and Vermont skiing 3 to 6 hour drive away, abundant cross county skiing. 8. Onondaga Lake recreation mecca – 13 mile trail around the urban lake (soon to be completed) with beautiful views of the lake for major running marathons, biking and including a six mile section of the most beautiful in-line skating trail in the country. 9. Syracuse University is # 1 NCAA basketball team in the country and usually in the top ten. 10. International Museum of Writing*- Future home of IMoW: a vast complex of 14 writing museums from play-writing to religious writing that could make Central New York The Cultural Mecca of the World. Article written by John DeSantis
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am a member of an email list-serve that includes elected officials, community organizers, activists, university professors and department chairs and the like. Generally, I choose not to get involved in the email chains. Believe in Syracuse keeps me busy and many of the discussions do not directly pertain to Believe in Syracuse. But something happened to me today. I was reading an email exchange where one member was criticizing the other. Name calling was going on and I was astounded by it. It made me remember some things about our community and I decided to respond to the bickering. For privacy reasons, the names of the people involved in the debate have been changed, but here is my email response to the argument: We should, will, and are having a debate about these issues... Destiny.... Economic Development.... etc. That is a good thing. Personally I am not an expert in these issues and do not get overly involved in the details of the arguments. Mr. George's failure is the failure that is systemic in our community. A failure of tone. Poisoned civic dialogue. This poisoned civic dialogue was created by deception and distrust of leaders, but what ads gasoline to that fire is the negativity. Ms. Harris is "One of destiny's children".... some call Mr. George is a curmudgeon and ivory tower elitist. Some might call me a 20 something kid who is too idealistic. Destiny is evil. Our government is corrupt. Taxes are too high....... These are the excuses we give ourselves. These are our scapegoats. This is why we can't get things done. This is why our mayor and our city council dislike each other, but more important is what this negative tone and cynicism does to the people of out community. A smaller percentage of our citizens volunteer and donate to charity than is the national average. Our young people and almost any middle class bright people who can... move away. Why? Because our perception of Syracuse is so negative. Sometimes I wonder if lake effect snow is powered by negativity and cynicism... or if its the other way around. I would ask all of you to think very seriously about how you talk about our community. How you think about our community. Take a step back from all the debating and arguing and think: does name calling accomplish anything? Does cynicism accomplish anything? If your answer is no, think about the idea we've pushed with Believe in Syracuse. Visit our website www.believeinsyracuse.org and then tell me, can we change the conversation about Syracuse? We're already doing that. With your help we can do it faster. According to a report from the U.S. Department of Commerce, between 2009 and 2012, the Syracuse Metropolitan Area GDP (Gross Domestic Product) rose by 4%.
This amounted to a larger percent growth than other Upstate New York Metropolitan Areas such as Buffalo-Niagara Falls (3.5%), Albany (2.4%), Utica-Rome (2.2%) and Rochester (1.5%). A previous report released in 2010 by the same federal agency showed that between 2007 and 2010, the GDP of the Syracuse area remained more stagnant in that time frame. Between 2007 and 2010 it increased by 1.7%. In 2009, the Syracuse Metropolitan Area (defined as Onondaga, Oswego and Madison counties) had a GDP of $23,356. By 2012 it reached a total of $24,284. The report broke down the U.S. GDP into 380 metropolitan areas and adjusted them to account for inflation. Gross Domestic Product is generally defined as the value of all the recognized goods and services produced in a given geographical area. While the GDP measures the production of the economy, other metrics such as job numbers show how the Syracuse area local economy relates more closely to the average citizen. To that question, the Post Standard recently reported that between July 2012 to July 2013, the Syracuse Area added 4,100 jobs. So tell us, what do you think all this says about Syracuse? Do you see our economy as on the rise? If so, click like below. Also, tell us what you think in the comments section below. John DeSantis Founder, Believe in Syracuse
Creekwalk Commons is of note due to its prime Downtown location and the energy its success would impart to the space between Armory, Clinton, and Franklin Squares, all nearby. With the introduction of a youthful presence, along with space dedicated to new downtown retail and restaurant tenants, Creekwalk Commons is anticipated to help tie together these city squares and increase foot traffic in this area and along the Onondaga Creekwalk, while highlighting the Niagara Mohawk Building, one of Syracuse's most beautiful landmarks. This project demonstrates a belief in Syracuse, our region's continued rise and with the high end loft approach, developers expect to attract design students, graduate students, medical students and upperclassmen, that will appreciate the apartment's design, as well as, the vibrant culture our downtown community and businesses have to offer.
Special thanks to Valerie Alfieri and Linda Charles from Sutton Real Estate for reaching out to Believe in Syracuse and showing us around. Brian Byrnes Board Member Believe in Syracuse Syracuse is a city on the rise. That fact is evidenced by incremental progress, bit by bit, our community is making a comeback. Here are some headlines of news articles that make this fact clear.
New U.S. Census report: Syracuse area shows more signs of stability Syracuse wins bid to host international Olympics of culture and art How Westcott Theater transformed the Syracuse music scene in a matter of five years Syracuse area gained 4,100 jobs over past year Syracuse named one of top 10 'best destinations for green travelers' Tourism on the rise in CNY Federal Reserve: Office vacancy rates in Syracuse area declining Syracuse area unemployment down more than a point in June Syracuse consumers' optimism is among the highest in the state in new polling Maureen Green: Downtown Syracuse rising from the dead Downtown On a Roll: State grant for Sibley’s redevelopment adds to Syracuse’s momentum A Christmas gift for Syracuse: Armory Square pioneer sees a downtown on the rise Saturday's Shamrock Run in Syracuse: Once again, a great CNY success story Public-private partnerships and new housing boost Downtown Syracuse's comeback By John DeSantis
When we say Syracuse is a city on the rise, we mean it and we have the facts to back it up. Below is a list of articles written about the incredible momentum we have as a community. Syracuse has reached a turning point. Listed below are the titles of the articles. Click on them below to read the full stories. Syracuse area gained 4,100 jobs over past year Syracuse named one of top 10 'best destinations for green travelers' Tourism on the rise in CNY Federal Reserve: Office vacancy rates in Syracuse area declining Syracuse area unemployment down more than a point in June Syracuse consumers' optimism is among the highest in the state in new polling Maureen Green: Downtown Syracuse rising from the dead Downtown On a Roll: State grant for Sibley’s redevelopment adds to Syracuse’s momentum A hometown guy, whose childhood Syracuse seemed in full decline, returns as an architect ... and reconsiders A Christmas gift for Syracuse: Armory Square pioneer sees a downtown on the rise Saturday's Shamrock Run in Syracuse: Once again, a great CNY success story Public-private partnerships and new housing boost Downtown Syracuse's comeback
By Katie Bennett
Why do we Believe in Syracuse? I am going to be starting a series of blog posts about why Syracuse is great and talk about the the great things Syracuse has to offer. Syracuse is great for many reasons. One of the main reasons is that it is affordable. CNN Money rated Syracuse the number one most affordable place to live in the country 2010. Syracuse is also a very livable city. Whatever you are looking for you will find it within a 15 minute drive, from parks to world class shopping centers to sports arenas to great restaurants. Syracuse is also in a very economical location in terms of transportation. You can hop on Route 81 or 90 and drive 4 hours in one direction and be in Montreal, or 4 hours in the other direction and be in New York City. The city of Syracuse also boasts an array of world class healthcare centers, such as the Golisano Children’s Hospital and the Level 1 Trauma Center at Upstate. If you go up to the hill, you will find quality education at Syracuse University, as well as Lemoyne College and Onondaga Community College, which are just a short drive away. If you head towards downtown Syracuse, you will find a large array of restaurants, museums, performing art centers, shops and nightlife in areas such as Armory Square. Around every corner you turn, you will always find something great about Syracuse. It is an affordable, livable and economical area that boasts an outstanding quality of life to its residents. Keep following my blog series to learn more reasons as to why Syracuse is GREAT! |
AuthorsMost posts by Believe in Syracuse founder, John DeSantis. Others are signed by their author. Archives
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