SYRACUSE — Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced in August that he has issued a request for proposal (RFP) for the acquisition and redevelopment of the City Hall Commons building. It’s a Hanover Square landmark, located at 201 E. Washington St., at the corner of Warren Street and East Genesee Street. The triangular, “flatiron” style building […]
SYRACUSE — Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced in August that he has issued a request for proposal (RFP) for the acquisition and redevelopment of the City Hall Commons building. It’s a Hanover Square landmark, located at 201 E. Washington St., at the corner of Warren Street and East Genesee Street.
The triangular, “flatiron” style building is owned by the City of Syracuse and currently serves as office space for multiple city-government departments. Walsh also issued an RFP for office space to accommodate city staff, indicating Syracuse plans to move its workforce out of the structure.
“The City’s needs have changed since it first took ownership of City Hall Commons in 1991. Today, we think there is a higher and better use for this great building. The property is more than 150 years old. Without investment, the upkeep and maintenance needs will continue to rise,” Walsh said in a release. “Given the City’s needs and the interest in downtown, the time is right to return this property to a private owner.”
The RFP specifies that the city’s goal is to return the building to the tax rolls and increase the city’s tax base. Syracuse says it is looking for buyers “with a proven ability to provide creative and inclusive land use and create permanent job opportunities for Syracuse residents.”
The City Hall Commons building was constructed in 1869 as a four-story structure. It was expanded to seven stories in 1894. The original building includes a large annex of glass and steel added in 1986, known as the City Hall Commons Atrium, which opens to a public plaza.
The 49,879-square-foot building currently is home to the Syracuse Department of Neighborhood and Business Development — including the Division of Code Enforcement and the Central Permit Office, Planning, Zoning Administration — Syracuse Fire Department Bureau of Fire Prevention, Syracuse Police Department Community Policing and Office of Professional Standards, and the Citizens Review Board. Community organizations FOCUS Greater Syracuse and Tomorrow’s Neighborhoods Today are also in the structure.
More information about the RFPs can be found on the City of Syracuse website (http://www.syracuse.ny.us/PurchaseRFP.aspx) and hard copies can be made available through the City of Syracuse Division of Purchase. Those with questions can contact purchase@syrgov.net. Submissions for both RFPs are requested by Oct. 26.