Mayor Walsh vows to restore the west side site to productive use
Syracuse, N.Y. – Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced Wednesday that the City of Syracuse seized for back taxes the former Syracuse Developmental Center site, a long vacant 47-acre property on Syracuse’s west side. The City recorded two tax deeds with the Onondaga County Clerk today to take title to the property, including the land and multiple buildings on the site.
Prior to the City’s seizure, the properties were owned by Syracuse Center LLC, which owed $887,237.13 in back taxes, including interest and penalties. Syracuse Center LLC, which is controlled by individuals outside the U.S., was delinquent on local taxes going back to 2015. Since only March of this year, the City has incurred at least $50,000 to board up the property, in additional to numerous police and fire calls.
“This property has the potential to be so much more for our community, but right now, it is a threat to public safety and an eyesore to the area,” Mayor Walsh said. “It’s been vacant for nearly nine years, and the buildings on the site have fallen in to severe disrepair. It attracts trespassers, illegal dumping and criminal activity. We’ve had enough and we’re taking action.”
The City is securing the site, protecting the structures and taking steps to prepare for redevelopment and productive use of the site.
- The Syracuse Police and Fire Departments have inspected the site for public safety.
- The City’s Department of Public Works and Division of Code Enforcement are re-boarding the property and installing gates at the entrances to the site to prevent vehicle entry. A temporary gate is already in place.
- The Department of Neighborhood and Business Development is preparing to offer the site for redevelopment and productive use. Interested parties can reach out to NBD@syrgov.net
“This site has a beautiful park-like setting in an area that is easily accessible to the City and major transportation routes,” Mayor Walsh said. “There has been steady and significant interest in the site. The time is now to ensure this property is delivering value and benefit to the community.”
The public is advised that trespassing or dumping on this site is dangerous and illegal. The Syracuse Police Department will install security cameras at the property, in addition to those that are already in place. The Department will also increase its monitoring and enforcement at the site.
