A Vision for PLACES:

Surroundings that lift the spirit

A community where everyone has access to the built and natural beauty that preserves our heritage and inspires our souls, and getting from place to place is convenient and affordable.

PLACES Outcome Goals:

• The rich natural gifts of our region will be protected and enjoyed.
• Our central city will be prosperous and its downtown our cultural heart.
• Our villages, streets, and neighborhoods will have attractive character and distinction.
• People will travel with ease for work or recreation, whether they use public or personal transportation.

PLACES Action Goals:


DOWNTOWN

25. Make downtown economically vibrant and livable:
• attracting retailers, office renters, and residents
• making downtown the heart of our cultural life
• and a showplace for our diversity.

For progress on this goal see the Arts, Culture and Events Downtown: The Case for Stonger Recognition and Support Case Study

26. Restore the Erie Canal downtown for boating, ice skating, and local history:
• and promote its use as an all season recreational area
• by local residents and tourists

27. Restore the Landmark Theater:
• as a showpiece for downtown
• as a "connector" attraction between Columbus Circle, the Hotel Syracuse, and Armory Square

28. Improve downtown parking: make it affordable; add trees, flowers & lighting:
• first studying other communities for innovative approaches

29. Link downtown stores & museums with landscaped walkways or skybridges:
• linking Hanover Square - Columbus Circle - Salina Street - Armory Square - Franklin Square
• linking Everson - Civic Center - Landmark - MOST - Erie Canal Museum - Onondaga Historical Association with skybridges placed wherever public safety is a concern

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PARKS & LAKE

30. Develop & clean Onondaga Lake:
• and other streams and waterways
• to develop them for recreation and as tourist attractions
• also for education, e.g. groups of school children in glass-bottomed boats
• beginning with completion of the Inner Harbor, marina, and other projects that are part of proposed Onondaga lakefront improvements

31. Create pocket parks & community gardens:
• replacing vacant lots and unreclaimable abandoned buildings
• maintained by volunteer "adopters".

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NEIGHBORHOODS AND VILLAGES

32. Build strong neighborhoods through resident participation:
• through more neighborhood-based planning such as TNT
• with better information for new homeowners about services and regulations

33. Stop further development sprawl; preserve urban & rural green spaces:
• by creating a "Greenspace Management Plan" for our whole area
• that will also decrease the tax burden for new infrastructure

34. Preserve older historical buildings:
• by establishing a warehouse for architectural parts reclaimed from razed or renovated buildings
• by creating a library for historic preservationists
• by considering a lending program for hard-to-find tools useful in preservation
• as part of a county wide "master plan" coordinated out of a Design Center

35. Make villages, towns, & city more pedestrian friendly:
• improving the look and feel of residential neighborhoods to help create a sense of community within them.
• by planning for people first, cars second

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TRANSPORTATION

36. Improve public transportation linking all areas:
• creating a system that makes sense for today’s commuting needs
• with dependable funding sources
• including affordable transportation to and from the airport
• considering innovations that have worked in other communities

37. Improve airline services & fares:
• with more direct flights
• by attracting more competing airlines to our airport

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ENVIRONMENT

38. Protect clean air and water:
• by enforcing environmental laws, codes and regulations protecting our environment
• by recognizing the importance of our clean water as a key asset
• by creating incentives for homes and business to use alternative fuels

39. Eliminate litter & graffiti:
• by studying other communities for innovative approaches

40. Provide highly visible signs leading to community attractions:
• including large, attractive overhead signs
• including kiosks with maps

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