The Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency made two key decisions today intended to pave the way for future housing developments in advance of Micron… and to clear the way for the redevelopment of Shoppingtown Mall. However, it wasn’t without some pushback from Towns that recently raised their concerns about one of the proposed updates known as ‘Uniform Tax Exemptions’ to encourage developers to build housing. Chair Pat Hogan says that each project submitted to the agency will still be reviewed individually for tax breaks for small to larger market rate housing.
“Tax exemptions for people that will have not only build market rate housing but will have a mixed housing buildings where you'll have people who are, you know, have decent jobs. You know the cops, the firemen, the nurses. But maybe don't make as much money as some other others do.”
Hogan says 10 to 20 percent of the apartment units in a single project would be reserved for residents who earn 80 percent of the average median income in Onondaga County. Developers of Senior Housing will also be considered which Hogan says will likely open-up other larger homes for families when people want to downsize. Meanwhile, the long vacant Macy’s and Sears stores have been standing in the way of the plans to redevelop Shoppingtown Mall into District East. Hogan says OCIDA also voted in favor to use eminent domain to acquire the empty stores.
“This is a great project. They're local developers, they want to go ahead with the project. They want to have a mixed income, residential and mixed retail operation out there. You know, housing and commercial entity out there.”
Hogan wouldn’t speculate as to how long it might take to acquire the properties located at the dead mall in DeWitt. But, he says it’s still possible to negotiate with the current owners.