To the Editor: Our company JGB Enterprises Inc. is a 40-plus year old, added-value distributor/manufacturer. We are proud to say that our firm has provided sustainable employment in Onondaga County for decades. We hire the majority of our workforce out of the county, as well as from the City of Syracuse. We have over 250 […]
To the Editor:
Our company JGB Enterprises Inc. is a 40-plus year old, added-value distributor/manufacturer. We are proud to say that our firm has provided sustainable employment in Onondaga County for decades. We hire the majority of our workforce out of the county, as well as from the City of Syracuse. We have over 250 employees alone in Central New York, and our physical blueprint extends across the U.S. as well. We are a major tax contributor here in New York state, and we’ve created millions of dollars in payroll.
We would like our voice to be heard on the re-construction of the I-81 viaduct in downtown Syracuse, specifically the tunnel option, from the perspective of an economic driver for local contractors, distributors, restaurants, and hotels. The greatest benefit to the community would be job creation. The scope of work that a tunnel project would bring, and the duration of the project would provide much needed employment opportunities for over a decade, and please note we are not referring to the cut and cover option.
We cannot ignore an opportunity to drive prosperity into our local economy, and we ask that state officials please make the tunnel option a part of their environmental impact study that will compare each construction option
We need to realize that a job of this magnitude would generate opportunities for business at all levels — from direct material suppliers, equipment rentals, creation of local construction jobs, and the sub-contractors that would be needed. Even local hotels and restaurants would benefit. This project will act as a catalyst to business even after project completion. The revenue that is gained can simply be reinvested into their respective companies.
Please consider that our region has suffered for such a long time; it would be nice to get some good news once in a while. Common sense dictates that a tunnel would offer a transformative form of underground transportation, and would eliminate the skyline eye sore of Route 81 in downtown Syracuse.
A tunnel offers the potential to add an above-ground green space. This green space could provide the community a place to gather in a park-like setting, and add a possible shopping district, retail space, hotels, and many other economic drivers. I know that in a time of fiscal responsibility, it is easy to just go with the least expensive option (rebuilding the elevated highway or going with the street-level option and diverting northbound traffic to I-481). However, I truly believe the tunnel is by far the best investment that will undoubtedly prove to have greater long-term economic returns for many years to come.
I fully respect the knowledge and the careful review that has been conducted by the NYS DOT. It is our hope that as many options are considered, the tunnel option will be viewed as a viable alternative, rather than building a new elevated highway or street-level corridor as a replacement for the aging infrastructure.
Sincerely,Stephon Starrantino
Executive VP
JGB Enterprises Inc.