Downtown Committee’s fall Progress Breakfast highlights local projects

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The speakers involved discussed the renovation projects at City Center and the former Post-Standard building, along with the upcoming Micron Technology campus in Clay.

About 365 people attended the fall Progress Breakfast at Sky Armory on Tuesday morning, which focused on “The Story Behind the Project.” Those attending learned about projects underway throughout the downtown area and their impact on the community.

Downtown Committee of Syracuse Inc. and Mower hosted the event. Mower is a marketing, advertising, and public-relations agency headquartered at the Jefferson Clinton Commons in Syracuse’s Armory Square area.

The speakers included Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh who talked about the excitement surrounding the Micron Technology announcement and how the deal expands beyond the construction site in the town of Clay. Walsh “made it clear that the investments and improvements to downtown Syracuse played a key role” in securing that deal, per the Downtown Committee.

In addition, Meg Tidd, CEO of VIP Structures, discussed her company’s role in renovating the former Post-Standard building into what the firm is now calling The Post. Tidd referred to the project as a “labor of love” and is “proud of the balance struck” between all the building upgrades while “paying tribute” to the Post-Standard’s beginnings.

In his remarks, Jeremy Thurston, president of the Hayner Hoyt Corporation, explained that the exterior of City Center would need to undergo a major facelift in order to appeal to future tenants’ interests. The firm had numerous inquiries for leasing commercial and retail space, which resulted in the decision to forgo the original plans to include apartments in its renovation plans.

The crowd at Sky Armory also heard from Mike Intaglietta, executive director of the Landmark Theatre, who discussed the venue’s history and the community’s “unwavering support and commitment to its success,” the Downtown Committee said.

Intaglietta said he’s proud of the recent upgrades to the seating and the brand-new marquee, believing it has “changed the face” of downtown Syracuse.

He also gave attendees a preview of the biggest renovation to the restrooms in the building’s history, announcing a “fitting” fundraising campaign called 10,000 Flushes, the Downtown Committee noted.