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The City of Syracuse is stepping into a once-in-a-generation moment to reshape how people move through and live in its south-side neighborhoods. On November 12 and 13 the city will host open-houses for the “Reconnecting Communities” planning effort — targeted at five corridors (Colvin, Taylor, MLK, Adams, Harrison) and a proposed linear park between Roesler and Wilson parks.
These workshops are more than public comment forums: they’re interactive design labs. Residents can view draft street-design concepts, participate in a “street-mix” activity (mapping what they’d like to see), and help shape a vision for neighborhoods long impacted by the legacy of the I-81 viaduct. “We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape how people move through and experience our city,” says Joe Driscoll, I-81 Project Director.
Legacy infrastructure & community divide. The elevated I-81 structure has long symbolized physical and social separation in South Syracuse. This is a clear example of how highway planning once shaped, and fractured, urban life. The new effort, by contrast, signals planning intent: reconnect neighborhoods, prioritize walking, biking, public transit, and create place value.
Safety + health equity. By redesigning these corridors with the “Reconnecting Communities” grant in focus, Syracuse aligns with the broader national goal of safe, connected streets. It advances the city’s Vision Zero goals and acknowledges that how we design for mobility is inherently a health and equity issue.
Opportunity for economic revitalization. Linear parks, mixed-use corridors, and new street designs spark investment. When streets become destinations and not just conduits, property values and local business opportunities follow. That means new tax base, new jobs, and new life in places long overlooked.