Getting around Downtown Syracuse seemed a little challenging this morning because of the Interstate 81 South closure at Harrison Street. A local group of business owners, elected officials and community members say it might be a vision of the future.
The deadline to replace the I-81 overpass at the end of its useful life is could result in street-level traffic if the bridge portion is removed. Members of Save I-81.org want the State D-O-T to keep the highway through downtown. Onondaga County Legislator Kathy Rapp is also a member of the Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
“I want to ensure that I-81 decision makers in Albany hear the voices of the residents here and are concerned about what the consequences may be. That’s why I’m here today in support of Save I-81 dot org.”
Rapp adds the State D-O-T informed her yesterday that they’re planning plan to provide plenty of opportunity for community input on the project.
BUSINESSES WORRY ABOUT FEWER CUSTOMERS
For businesses south of the I-81 closure at Harrison Street, the prospects of not having the highway through the city is already a bit surreal. Jim Bright... the Owner of Dunk & Bright Furniture on South Salina Street speaks from experience.
“Traffic is about 15 percent this week versus last week when the highway was open. We have a lot of slow traffic in front of our store, which is interesting because the traffic is rerouted right to Salina and Brighton, but not all of those people are coming in, of course."
The members of Save I-81 plan to host several events in the months ahead to serve as a voice for the community’s throughout the city and Onondaga County. Their website is Save 81 dot org.
SAVE I-81 GROUP BOASTS BROAD MEMBERSHIP
Robert Andrews Onondaga County Legislator, 9th district
Mark Atkinson Mayor, Village of North Syracuse
Jim Bright Dunk and Bright
Todd Buchko WonderWorks
Michael Chapman Chairman, Cayuga County Legislature
Jim Corl Supervisor, Town of Cicero
Patrick Danial Terakeet
John Dougherty Onondaga County Legislator, 2nd district
Joseph Emmi Super 8 Syracuse
Marc Emmi Hampton Inn Liverpool
Carmen Emmi, Jr Homewood Suites
Joe Falcone Dominick Falcone Insurance
Deborah Gallagher North Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps (NAVAC)
Jim Gallagher Holiday Inn
T-John Goodman Sweet on Chocolate, Armory Square
Holland C Gregg III Executive Director, Citizens to Preserve the Character of Skaneateles (CPCS)
Gary Hatfield Supervisor, Town of Moravia
Jeff Herrick Supervisor, Town of Sennett
David Heymann Sheraton Syracuse
Steve Hughes Tim Hortons
Bruce Kenan Destiny USA
David Knapp Onondaga County Legislator, 12th district
Michael Lazar Chaiman, Town of DeWitt Planning Board
Danny Liedka Onondaga County Legislator, 7th district
Tony Mangano Ramada Inn
Kerry Mannion Member, Town of DeWitt Town Board
Brian May Onondaga County Legislator, 1st district
Gary May May's Auto
Todd May Southern Wine and Spirits
Ryan McMahon Chairman, Onondaga County Legislature, 15th district
Ed Michalenko Supervisor, Town of DeWitt
Mark Nicotra Supervisor, Town of Salina
Michael Plochocki Onondaga County Legislator, 6th District
Kathleen Rapp Onondaga County Legislator, 5th district
Teresa Roney Supervisor, Town of Skaneateles
Christopher Ryan Onondaga County Legislator, 8th District
Gary Searing Supervisor, Town of Fleming
John Sposato Sposato Companies
Richard Sykes The Inns at Armory Square
Ann Marie Taliercio UniteHERE 150
Judy Tassone Onondaga County Legislator, 4th district
Ed Wagner Supervisor, Town of Owasco
Gary White Mayor, Village of Liverpool
Steve White Citizens to Preserve the Character of Skaneateles (CPCS)
