Downtown Committee recognizes local businesses, projects at annual meeting

The organization estimates about 400 people attended the annual meeting, which included remarks from Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh.

In addition, Merike Treier, executive director of the Downtown Committee of Syracuse, delivered her “State of Downtown” report. In it, Treier outlined ongoing projects, activities, and events that impact downtown Syracuse.

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, according to a news release about the annual meeting.

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

The group 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 organization also honors 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 dollars of investments completed since 2012, and another $45 million dollars 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.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com