On Tuesday August 3rd ,2021 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Jubilee Homes of Syracuse is hosting a community presentation to address next steps of the economic development impact in the South Ave – West Onondaga Corridors.
Jubilee Homes presented a vision in 2018 based on a feasibility project, in collaboration with the City of Syracuse, that would impact 2 of our most vulnerable communities, South and West Sides of our City.
According to the organization, “We have worked relentlessly for the past 2 ½ years to bring viable solutions for our communities through community revitalization and economic development projects.
At this community presentation we will inform of groundbreaking projects and how the vision has come to a reality. On site we will have all our partners. Our project is one to lift our communities at several levels including workforce development and employment opportunities. JOIN US! Let’s talk about it. “
Tuesday August 3rd ,2021 6:00 to 8:00 PM
Community Connections at SWCC
401 South Ave. Syracuse NY 13204
Jubilee Homes and Partners, will present the progress of projects, to include: BOWA Construction, Trinity Financial, CNI/P&J, Equality Equation Academy, Housing Visions, Greater Syracuse LandBank, Syracuse Built, Seafood Haven, Home Headquarters, Pathfinder Bank. According to the organization, “Our South and West side neighborhoods have been long overlooked; it is time for real change. Let’s give our most vulnerable communities a real fighting chance and our minorities businesses equal opportunity and a seat at the table where decisions are being made.”
New Vision involves Development and Partnerships
Time of Jubilee for the longest time has focused on going it alone with their development projects. The longtime community housing agency previously emphasized the Minority Business Enterprise responsibility and its role in developing MBE and WBE enterprises. In their new vision, Jubilee Homes is poised to enter into agreements with developers in an effort to expedite projects and leverage funding to allow for training, workforce development, commercial and retail development; these initiatives are included in their vision for the organization moving forward.
BOWA Construction; is a well-known minority owned company that will come in to work with Jubilee Homes as a developer partner according to Jubilee Executive Director Walt Dixie. “We have to diversify” said Dixie, as he outlined his plans for future development along the South Avenue/Onondaga Corridor. We want to work with developers coming to Syracuse. That’s why BOWA Construction, is important because of their size and capacity. “They’re not just interested in working with Jubilee, they also want to be in a position to bid on the upcoming interstate 81 project.”
Trinity Financial; a minority company out of Boston Massachusetts and we’re ready to announce a 60 unit apartment building with some commercial space available downstairs. With management on-site so it won’t be an absentee landlord. They’ll be announcing a “community Benefit agreement” in addition, the company’s goal is to have 50% of the work being done by women and minority contractors. This company is not small having worked on the “big-dig” out of Boston.
Dixie also talks about the next generation of contractors, these partners will take part in training and developing local contractors. These key partners and their participation will be discussed at Tuesday’s community meeting. “We don’t want to solely depend on CDBG Community Development Block Grant.”
In order to move forward Walt Dixie isn’t painting a pie in the sky, he’s being realistic stating, “The Federal, state and local governments needs to step up with their investment in the community.”
Another promising sign for the South Avenue corridor is Seafood Haven, a Seafood Restaurant to be located in the former B & B Lounge. The aforementioned and more is on the agenda for the event, Tuesday August 3rd ,2021 6:00 to 8:00 PM Community Connections at SWCC – 401 South Ave. Syracuse NY 13204
