COR begins demolition and site-clearing work at site of Inner Harbor hotel

SYRACUSE — COR Development Company, LLC announced that crews are starting work on demolition of the canal-maintenance building at Syracuse’s Inner Harbor.

COR plans to break ground on development of a Starwood Aloft hotel at the Inner Harbor in June.

The firm expects to finish the demolition and site-clearing work in the next two weeks, COR said in a news release.

An engineering study determined that the canal-maintenance building is “structurally unsound,” COR said. The firm describes the building as “deteriorated” and will demolish the structure in the redevelopment process.

The building was originally intended as a community boathouse, according to COR. The firm is considering alternatives for public docking and a community boat launch at the site.

The early work allows the Fayetteville–based real-estate development firm to prepare the site for further development, including the future relocations of the canal freight house.

COR has completed a review process under the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act, or SEQR, which enables the company to begin construction.

Besides the demolition work, COR is also seeking final approvals for the Aloft hotel and for the construction of new city streets and public infrastructure in the development of the Inner Harbor’s western shore.

Besides the hotel, the $350 million redevelopment effort will also include educational facilities and several mixed-use complexes with office, retail, and residential components, COR said.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com