HUD awards $50 million to help redevelop Syracuse public housing near I-81

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Syracuse Housing Authority (SHA) and the City of Syracuse will use a $50 million federal grant to improve the East Adams neighborhood near Interstate 81 (I-81) in the City’s 15th Ward. This funding comes through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Choice Neighborhoods Initiative program, U.S. Senate Majority […]

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Parking garage for Wynn Hospital set to open

Featured, Construction, Design & Real Estate, Health Care, Mohawk Valley, New York News, Nonprofits, Subscriber Only

UTICA, N.Y. — Nearly nine months after Wynn Hospital opened in downtown Utica, its promised parking garage is set to open, according to an email newsletter from Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS). The parking garage, owned by Oneida County, opens Monday, July 15 to MVHS employees, physicians, and volunteers. There is no charge for anyone

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State comptroller audit finds Dolgeville village treasurer failed to maintain adequate records

Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Insurance & Financial Services, Law, Accounting & Taxes, Mohawk Valley, New York News, Nonprofits, Subscriber Only

DOLGEVILLE, N.Y. — An audit by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli’s office found the Dolgeville village treasurer failed to maintain adequate records and reports that would allow the village board to responsibly manage Dolgeville’s finances. “The treasurer did not record all financial activity using proper accounting procedures,” according to a report released by

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“The treasurer did not record all financial activity using proper accounting procedures,” according to a report released by the comptroller’s office. “As a result, inadequate records and reports were maintained, and the board lacked the financial information necessary to property monitor and manage village finances.”

Specifically, the report noted the treasurer did not properly account for fund balances within each village fund or establish separate capital-project funds to account for the financial activity of projects undertaken, periodically reconcile water and sewer-receivable, control-account balances, provide adequate budget status and balance-sheet reports to the board monthly, or prepare and file the required state annual financial report for the 2019-2020 through 2022-2023 fiscal years.

As a result, auditors from the comptroller’s office made some key recommendations including maintaining complete, accurate, and timely financial records; periodically reconciling receivable-control accounts; providing monthly financial reports to the board; and filing the annual reports as required.

In a June 17, 2024, letter to the state comptroller’s office, Dolgeville Mayor Mary E. Puznowski outlined the measures the village has taken to implement all the recommendations including installing a new software program with a municipal accounting system that allows the village to adopt many of the recommendations. Other remedies include working with a certified public accountant to get the past-due annual reports filed and new policies effective as of June to provide proper reconciliations.

The comptroller’s original audit period covered June 1, 2021, to April 20, 2023, and was then extended through April 23, 2024, to review the annual report filing status.

After the audit, a new treasurer was appointed, effective November 2023.

Casey Christopher

People on the Move

KeyBank has named Casey Christopher senior VP, business banking sales leader for Central New York. In this role, she manages a team of relationship managers

Pathfinder Bancorp to pay latest quarterly dividend in early August

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OSWEGO — Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: PBHC), the bank holding company of Pathfinder Bank, has declared a cash dividend of 10 cents per share of its common stock. The second-quarter 2024 dividend is payable on Aug. 9 to all shareholders of record on July 19, according to an announcement from James A. Dowd, president and

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Lockheed Martin to pay Q3 dividend of $3.15 per share in late September

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Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE: LMT) announced that its board of directors has authorized a third-quarter, 2024 dividend of $3.15 a share. The dividend is payable on Sept. 27, to holders of record as of the close of business on Sept. 3, according to a June 27 company news release. At Lockheed’s current stock price, the

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New state law allows cash payments at state parks

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Another extends exemption for boating-safety certificate ALBANY — Visitors to sites operated by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation can use cash to pay for admission. A new state law prohibits the mandated use of credit cards

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Downtown Committee annual meeting highlights activity

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Also, honors difference makers SYRACUSE — A new childcare center, a doggy daycare, and more than 120 new housing units are among 13 projects totaling $129 million that are “in the development pipeline” to meet the changing needs of downtown Syracuse. An additional 400 residential units are also planned

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Also, honors difference makers

SYRACUSE — A new childcare center, a doggy daycare, and more than 120 new housing units are among 13 projects totaling $129 million that are “in the development pipeline” to meet the changing needs of downtown Syracuse.

An additional 400 residential units are also planned or underway, positioning downtown’s population to exceed 5,000 residents by the end of 2025.

That’s according to the State of Downtown report that Merike Treier, executive director of the Downtown Committee of Syracuse Inc., delivered during the organization’s annual meeting held on June 20.

The report highlighted the growth that downtown Syracuse has had in the past year and offered a preview of upcoming projects that the community can expect in the next year, per the Downtown Committee’s announcement.

About 450 property owners, businesses, residents, and other stakeholders attended the annual meeting held in the ballroom of the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center at Oncenter in downtown Syracuse.

“In the ever-evolving landscape of Downtown Syracuse, the past year has been marked by an impressive influx of investments that have not only propelled the area forward, but also symbolize the continued dedication to the heart of our city,” Treier said. “This momentum in development speaks volumes about the collective vision and determination to create a vibrant and thriving city center.”

Downtown Awards of Excellence

The annual meeting also included the announcements of the Downtown Awards of Excellence to recognize the recipients’ “commitment to revitalization efforts throughout Downtown Syracuse:”

Both Treier and Tony Fiorito, chairman of the Downtown Committee’s board of directors, presented the awards.

The recipients included Cjala Surratt, who was presented with the Urban Innovation Award. Surratt is the owner of Black Citizens Brigade Vintage Co., a clothing store at 140 Bank Alley in Syracuse.

The store “has not only curated a space for Black history to shine through fashion, literature and art, but has also sparked a movement rejuvenating underutilized urban areas by activating Bank Alley,” the Downtown Committee said.

It went on to say, “Black Citizens Brigade is not just a retail space; it’s a hub for community engagement and cultural enrichment and embodies a legacy of Black entrepreneurship in the city.”

The awards program also recognized Ed Riley with the Heart of Downtown Award. Riley is the founding partner and managing member of Hotel Syracuse Restoration, LLC and Brine Wells Development, LLC.

His efforts led to the restoration of the iconic Hotel Syracuse, which reopened as the Marriott Syracuse Downtown in 2016.

“Ed’s dedication and passion for the preservation of our community’s rich history is truly inspiring. As we celebrate the centennial anniversary of Hotel Syracuse this August, we are reminded of Ed’s invaluable contributions to our community, and we look forward to celebrating his future endeavors,” the Downtown Committee said.

In addition, the Downtown Committee also recognized Famous Artists, also known as Broadway in Syracuse, with the Perfect Partner Award.

Throughout its theatrical season, Famous Artists regularly partners with downtown businesses in creating special themed menus and limited-edition specials to promote visiting Broadway shows, the Downtown Committee said.

“This creates a one-of-a-kind experience for theatre-goers, extending their Downtown Syracuse visit and highlighting Downtown as a premier entertainment destination,” the nonprofit added.

Each of the award winners are highlighted in a video produced by Daylight Blue Media. Links to the videos are provided at the Downtown Committee’s YouTube page (https://www.youtube.com/@DowntownSyracuse/videos).

Community Memorial Hospital starts phase 2 of $31.5 million expansion project

Health Care, Construction, Design & Real Estate, Mohawk Valley, Subscriber Only

HAMILTON — Community Memorial Hospital has entered the second phase of its $31.5 million project to expand and renovate patient care spaces. The hospital had experienced delays created by increases in construction costs until the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently guaranteed the loan necessary to complete construction. “On behalf of all of us at

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“On behalf of all of us at Community Memorial, I would like to extend our most sincere appreciation to Sen. [Charles] Schumer for leading our congressional delegation in advocating to make this nearly $20 million USDA loan guarantee possible,” Community Memorial President/CEO Jeff Coakley said in a news release. “We are incredibly excited to restart our facility renewal project, especially after increased labor and supply costs during the pandemic significantly delayed the financial approvals for phase II. Thanks to Sen. Schumer and our federal representatives, Community Memorial can now make good on our promise to expand and revitalize our facility and equipment, safeguarding patient care and over 400 jobs for many years to come.”

The project is the largest renovation of the facility in more than 70 years. The first phase, completed in December 2021, updated the inpatient wing and emergency department.

This second phase focuses on the center of the hospital with renovations to the radiology department, laboratory, rehabilitation center, and main entrance with updated spaces and equipment.

The new radiology department will be centralized inside the hospital, mobilizing all modalities to meet the needs of patients and allow staff to respond to urgent patient needs. The new equipment will include a CT scanner, MRI machine, and digital mammography.

The laboratory department will gain expanded waiting space for patients with updated draw rooms to provide an improved patient experience. There will also be ADA-compliant draw spaces.

Community Memorial will also expand the Center for Rehabilitation to offer a new and modern location for patient care. The space includes physical, occupational, and speech therapies.

The new main entrance for patients, families, and visitors will feature a larger waiting space with modern and comfortable amenities and a cohesive exterior to the new emergency department entrance. There will also be enhanced patient safeguards.

“This nearly $20 million federal investment is a major shot in the arm for Madison County and Community Memorial Hospital,” Schumer said. “This will help kickstart the next phase of the hospital’s transformation, expanding to help get our rural communities the health care they need with new, top-of-the-line equipment and facilities. With this federal support, Community Memorial will continue to build on their recent expansion of services and add new state-of-the-art equipment, positioning the hospital to meet the changing needs of rural patients.”

Community Memorial and construction-management group, The Hayner Hoyt Corp., anticipate completion of the project at the end of 2025. While construction is in progress, the hospital will work to ensure patient care is not reduced or impacted.

Northern New York Community Foundation names new board chair

Nonprofits, North Country, Subscriber Only

WATERTOWN — Lewis County resident Cheryl R. Steckly was recently named chair of the Northern New York (NNY) Community Foundation board of directors, the nonprofit announced. Steckly retired in 2019 as superintendent of Lowville Academy & Central Schools after more than 35 years working in public education. She was first appointed to the Community Foundation

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