Downtown Syracuse population swells to 3,600 residents

SYRACUSE — More than $360 million of investment activity is either underway or announced, and 3,600 people call downtown their home, the Downtown Committee of Syracuse, Inc. reports.

“And this [downtown population] number will continue to grow,” said Merike Treier, executive director of the Downtown Committee.

She noted that downtown’s residential population has increased 77 percent in the last 10 years. 

The figures were part of the “State of Downtown” report that Treier delivered during the organization’s annual meeting on June 21. Her report also noted that 159 apartments have come online since last July and 160 apartments “are under construction right now.” 

Treier’s report also outlined ongoing projects, activities, and events that impact downtown Syracuse.

The Downtown Committee held the event in the grand ballroom of the Marriott Syracuse Downtown, the former Hotel Syracuse. The organization estimates about 400 people attended the annual meeting, which included remarks from Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh. 

Awards

Before Treier’s remarks, the Downtown Committee honored the Redhouse Arts Center with the Urban Innovation Award, which is now operating in the downtown building at 400 S. Salina St. now known as City Center. Sibley’s department store previously occupied the space until closing its doors in 1988.

The Redhouse is a primary tenant in the building that’s been redeveloped for use as a mixed-use facility. It offers professional theater and partners with school districts and other institutions in our community to provide innovative arts-based education. 

Bill Hider, who chairs the Redhouse board of directors, and Samara Hannah, the organization’s executive director, accepted the award. 

The Downtown Committee also recognized the Syracuse–based Pioneer Companies with the Heart of Downtown Award for its $40 million renovation of the building now known as State Tower. 

When the building was established in 1927, it was marketed primarily as office space, the Downtown Committee said. Now, reborn as State Tower, the building is “truly a mixed-use neighborhood,” featuring high-end residential units, office space, and later this summer, new retail and restaurant opportunities, the Downtown Committee said.

Melissa Zell, Sue Smith, Donna St. Cyr, and Mark Roney of Pioneer Companies accepted the award. 

The Downtown Committee also recognized the Central New York chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) with the Perfect Partner Award for its work on the “Immersive Cloud,” an interactive, public art piece, to “activate downtown’s Eastern gateway.” Through partnerships with the City of Syracuse, Public Art Commission, Connective Corridor, and the Downtown Committee, “this previously underdeveloped parcel has become a conversation starter and a landmark.” 

Anthony Rojas, president-elect of the AIA, accepted the award along with representatives from the City of Syracuse, Syracuse University, Adapt CNY and the Downtown Committee. 

The Downtown Committee also honored Southern Downtown Advocates with the Downtown Newsmakers Award. The advocates include nearly 50 business owners, organizations, and agencies that provided input and insight on supporting the ongoing development in downtown’s southern district. 

With more than $125 million of investments completed since 2012, and another $45 million of investment underway, the neighborhood is “poised for incredible transformation,” the Downtown Committee contends. 

Representatives from the City of Syracuse, Syracuse Police Department and key projects in the area accepted the award.