Syracuse mayor to form stadium task force to answer key questions

SYRACUSE — Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner plans to assemble a task force to examine the issue of a possible new sports stadium in Syracuse, including answering important questions about the project’s impact.

Miner announced her intention as part of her State of the City address on Thursday night in the gymnasium at St. Patrick’s Lofts at 300 N. Lowell Ave. in Syracuse.

A new stadium is a topic “around which discussions have swirled these last couple weeks,” Miner noted.

She was referring to numerous published and broadcast reports that Syracuse University (SU), Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney, and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo were pursuing a $500 million project to build a new stadium to replace the Carrier Dome.

“While I am neither for nor against a stadium project necessarily, I believe that outstanding questions should be answered, and that we should be as thoughtful as possible about what could be a once-in-a-generation decision,” Miner said in her remarks.

The Democrat indicated she’s been “consulting” with SU Chancellor Kent Syverud and wants to foster a “transparent and inclusive community discussion on this subject.”

The group will consider the community needs and expectations, what “appropriate” neighborhood and economic development might look like, the Carrier Dome’s current condition, and any potential impacts a new stadium might have, Miner said.

Miner intends to announce task-force members “in the coming days,” she said.

“I think we can all agree: if this is worth doing, it is worth doing right,” Miner said in her remarks.

Miner also used her address to highlight some of the economic-development projects in the downtown area.

She mentioned the Pike Block building at the corner of South Salina and West Fayette streets, which is now home to the offices of CenterState CEO, locations of Tim Hortons and Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches, and new apartments.

In addition, Miner also noted the Inns at Armory Square project, the two new Marriott hotels that opened at the corner of West Fayette and South Franklin streets last summer.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com