The City of Syracuse has earned top honors in a North American award competition for effectively utilizing innovation and technology to maximize new services and economic opportunities to city residents.
As 1 of 3 finalists in the sustainable infrastructure division — which recognizes progress in smart water, lighting, waste collection and environmental monitoring — Salt City was picked as the winner through an open online vote.
Syracuse had a few innovative breakthroughs prior to the award. The city completed the conversion of its street light networks to LED lights in 2020, which saved nearly $3 million in energy and maintenance costs a year, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 8,500 tons a year — the equivalent of taking more than 1,600 cars off the road.
The streetlights are also outfitted with SMART controls that provide programmed dimming ability, energy metering and fault monitoring.
Syracuse beat out San Jose and Riverside, California, Two cities placed first in the Administration category, Schenectady was the only other city in New York State selected as a finalist.
