Hello everyone!
Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Central Library for our September meeting. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, October 27th at 6 pm, also at the Central Library.
At this meeting we:
– Were visited by Josh Wilcox from Syracuse’s Parks Department. He showed us plans for an expansion to the Creekwalk and existing maps & signage, and asked for advice from the collective on how to improve the signage with redesigns and new sign locations. Suggestions included installing signs that look less like traffic signs so they blend in less, and clarifying the right-of-way in downtown areas of the creekwalk. This discussion concluded with the establishment of a volunteer committee that will work with the parks department, walk/bike the creekwalk, and identify areas in need of changes/improvements to the existing signage and maps. Please inquire to be added to this committee.
– Reviewed the results of yet another successful community streets project, with painted pedestrian bump outs Downtown on Jefferson St at Montgomery and Salina.
– The design team presented their updates on the City Hall Plaza design they have been working on for the past couple months, answering questions and taking suggestions from the collective. The design includes a fountain, trees, planters, seating, a cafe kiosk, bike parking, a paving pattern, and a bulletin board. To see the design or provide feedback, please reach out to the design team by email or on the WhatsApp group.
– A discussion was had surrounding the proposed changes to the hospital superblock, the potential closure of a block of Adams Street for a new emergency room at Upstate Hospital, and SUC’s decision to stay neutral but advocate for better pedestrian accessibility and safety in all future plans. Potential connection points include a public elevator on Adams, stairs and an elevator connecting Jackson to Waverly, and stairs and an elevator connecting Taylor and University Pl. Comments were taken from the collective, and a discussion followed.
– The book club shared their updates. They are currently open to suggestions for their next book.
– The public policy team is writing a series of op-eds. To review or contribute, reach out on the WhatsApp group or attend the meeting on October 12th at the Salt City Market.
– Announcements for upcoming events were shared. The 4th Annual Food Justice Gathering will take place t 1 Forestry Drive on October 17th from 9 am – 4:30 pm. SOFSA’s Food Justice Gathering is an annual convening of farmers, advocates, policymakers, community leaders, and grassroots organizers from Central New York and beyond who are committed to remaking our regional food system into one that works for us all. The Gathering focuses specifically on the food justice and food sovereignty work being done that addresses inequities in our food system that harm marginalized communities and our natural environment. Visit the links below for more information.
* https://www.syrfoodalliance.
* https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/
– SUNY ESF is doing an urban water study today to analyze water quality in the city and surrounding area. You can join the community sampling day and contribute to research on local water quality and how people view their aquatic resources.
* How it works:
* 1. Pick up a sample bottle at Jahn Laboratory Front Entrance Across from the Gateway Center on SUNY ESF Campus on October 3 All-Day.
* 2. Go to any nearby lake, river, or stream and fill the bottle. The location is completely your choice.
* 3. Take a picture of the site and fill out a short survey.
* 4. Return the bottle to the pickup location by October 3 All-Day.No experience required. Volunteers must be 18+.
* 5. If you have questions contact Aaron Ninokawa (atninoka@esf.edu) or Jamie Shinn (jeshinn@esf.edu).
* 6. Sign up here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/
After the meeting we had happy hour at Salt City Market!
Upcoming events include:
- 12 Oct, Mon. 6:30 – 7:30pm. Public Policy Team Meeting. Salt City Market
- 17 Oct, Sat. 9am – 4:30pm. 4th Annual Food Justice Gathering. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
- 21 Oct, Wed. 4 – 5:30pm. Moving People Transportation Coalition. CNY Philanthropy Center, 431 E Fayette St, Syracuse, NY 13202, USA
- 21 Oct, Wed. 6:30 – 7:30pm. Urbanist Book Club. Salt City Market
- 27 Oct, Tue. 6 – 7:30pm. Syracuse Urbanism Collective – Monthly Meeting. Central Library
- 4 Nov, Wed. 6 – 7pm. Design Team. Salt City Market
- Learn more at https://syracuseurbanism.org/calendar/
You can join the collective at http://syracuseurbanism.org/join
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Regards,
Baxter Hankin, Director of Policy + Design
Syracuse Urbanism Collective
