Walsh sends ARPA business-recovery initiative, others to Syracuse Common Council

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Initiatives on business recovery, sidewalks, downtown parking, and youth programs are among those that Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh has forwarded to Syracuse Common Council for consideration.

They’re among eight proposed investments using federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) relief funding, Walsh’s office said Wednesday. City lawmakers will consider the initiatives during their upcoming meeting July 12.

“American Rescue Plan relief is intended to benefit the people of Syracuse, so we are moving multiple key programs forward as quickly as possible,” said Mayor Walsh. “Our young people and businesses need our help. We are also acting now to improve city facilities in ways that help residents and businesses. I appreciate the Council’s due diligence and review of these investments.”

Initiatives and funding

At its regular study session Wednesday, Walsh’s office said councilors considered items that included:

Syracuse Economic Development Corporation, which would get $6 million. It would support small-business access to operating capital and a community-development impact fund. It would be administered as a revolving loan fund to support development projects, job creation, and generating additional economic activity.

A municipal sidewalk maintenance program for implementation is a $4.5 million program under which the city will assume responsibility for the repair and replacement of city sidewalks.

The city would also use $677,000 for public parking structures to be used for the purchase and installation of revenue-control equipment and video-security systems at city-owned parking garages.

Summer Youth Fellows Program to support stipends for 2,000 youth ages 10 and up to participate in enrichment programs between 2021 and 2023. That program would get more than $1.3 million, Walsh’s office said.

Syracuse Police Athletic Activities League would use $300,000 for the purchase of two passenger vans, programs, marketing, and community events for implementation of youth league activities.

Meachem Park would get $55,000 to purchase and construct a pavilion on the Onondaga Creekwalk as part of the Seneca Turnpike Onondaga Creek Access Project.

Pass Arboretum would use $175,000 to replace the fence that surrounds the park.

Burnet Park Pool would receive $800,000 to repair and restore the pool and water feature at Burnet Park.