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Hotel Syracuse Developer Invites the Community to Share Memories, Photos as Part of Restoration

Scott Willis, WAER News

    The company heading the restoration of the former Hotel Syracuse knows many Central New Yorkers have stories about proms, holiday parties, weddings, and other events held at the historic landmark.  Now, they want to hear about those memories, along with any photos.  Hotel Syracuse Restoration Chief Financial Officer Al Gough says most will likely end up on the website hotelsyracuserestoration.com.  But he says some could become part of the new hotel.

"There is a disclaimer out there, if do choose or would like to use it for PR or marketing. If we find a particularly interesting one (picture) even if we frame it an post it within the hotel.  There will be a museum room here when we open"

Gough  says even hotel developer Ed Riley has a photo of himself and his then-future wife at their prom.  The effort to collect memories of the old hotel is consistent with the history of the building going back to its groundbreaking 93 years ago. 

"The hotel was originally a community hotel. They sold stock certificates and the certificate books we still have is kind of a who's who in Syracuse from the 20's. Some of the names you will still recognize from the community."

Gough says while they didn’t sell stocks to finance the restoration, the community is investing in a different way. 

Credit Scott Willis, WAER News / WAER News
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WAER News
Construction will be ongoing both inside and out for the hotel until its expected opening in Spring 2016

"We are trying to do everything we can within the community. Whether it is the venders, the suppliers of the furniture, suppliers of the table or the contractors that are doing the bulk of the work. We are trying to get everything we can in the community and try to keep that alive.  We think that it is important that it remains a community asset."

And that community pride will be on display for attendees of the various conventions and conferences that come through what will be the official convention center hotel. 

UPDATES ON THE RESTORATION

The restoration project is in full swing as the developer works toward a March 2016 planned grand re-opening date. With the over 100 local contract workers including engineers, electricians, plumbers, mechanics  laboring Monday through Friday, Gough sees the restoration on track and is beginning to open the hotel to the public for tours. Starting in two weeks, he says the two model guest rooms will be completed attracting more potential event bookings. Developers have said the goal is to keep its classic Renaissance architecture style of the 1920's and its historic painting, ceiling and lights while bringing it to the modern era. 

Scott Willis covers politics, local government, transportation, and arts and culture for WAER. He came to Syracuse from Detroit in 2001, where he began his career in radio as an intern and freelance reporter. Scott is honored and privileged to bring the day’s news and in-depth feature reporting to WAER’s dedicated and generous listeners. You can find him on twitter @swillisWAER and email him at srwillis@syr.edu.