Downtown Syracuse is at the heart of the Central New York community and is the vibrant center of a region on the rise. While the past year created significant economic hardships or delayed growth for so many small businesses, it is truly exciting to see so many people returning to explore, eat, shop, and work downtown. […]
Downtown Syracuse is at the heart of the Central New York community and is the vibrant center of a region on the rise. While the past year created significant economic hardships or delayed growth for so many small businesses, it is truly exciting to see so many people returning to explore, eat, shop, and work downtown.
As people return, they are coming back to an urban center that continues to evolve and grow as new retail and restaurants open, and development projects and investments take shape. During the pandemic year, downtown welcomed 30 new retail businesses. In just the last two months, new restaurants Luna Loca, Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant, and Day Bird have opened. Earlier this spring, downtown’s first full-service grocery store, the Syracuse Cooperative Market, opened at the Salt City Market.
In all, nearly $80 million in investment activity was completed during the pandemic, with another $172 million in development currently underway or announced. In 2020, 281 new residential units were completed, providing room for downtown’s population to grow another 12.5 percent. Additionally, more than 112 units are under construction right now.
This economic activity is a welcome sign as is the return of workers to downtown offices, both critical components of a full economic recovery following the COVID-19 crisis. Yet, there is more we can all do to ensure downtown’s small businesses, and arts, entertainment, and cultural amenities thrive. This summer, I encourage you to be a tourist in your own community. Go out to eat and shop downtown, visit the weekly farmers market, or take your family to a museum. Buy tickets to be there when the curtains rise at the Landmark Theatre and the Redhouse.
If this past year has taught us anything it is that we are resilient, and together we can make an impact when we support one another. As we begin to see the light at the end of this crisis, let’s continue to invest in our community to make sure this recovery is accelerated and sustained.
To learn more about the progress downtown, download the 2021 Downtown Committee of Syracuse’s annual report (https://downtownsyracuse.com/sites/default/files/2020-2021%20Annual%20Report.pdf), or visit downtownsyracuse.com.
Robert M. Simpson is president and CEO of CenterState CEO, the primary economic-development organization for Central New York. This article is drawn and edited from the “CEO Focus” email newsletter that the organization sent to members on June 25.