Syracuse mayor-elect Sharon Owens takes office in less than two weeks. She’s currently in city hall as deputy mayor, but she’s finding there’s still plenty of work to do as she transitions to her new role. Part of that process included several days gaining insights and advice at Bloomberg’s New Mayor’s program at Harvard University.
“We went through sections about team building. It was interesting," Owens said. "They spoke of how you and your colleagues will ask, 'the first 100 days...what did you do?' And they emphasized you're building a team. You're really setting yourself up for the four years.”
So far that team includes a new police chief and deputy mayor, whom she already named. She said the rest of her teal will bring expertise in economic development, housing, and other major areas affecting city residents. Owens added they’ll also be ready to continue working on several major priorities as part of that first 100 days.
“We broke ground on the East Adams neighborhood," she said. "The state wants to continue to close on the next three phases, so I'll be very much involved in that. We're getting through phase two. It's not time to slow up now. The state is behind us to get that moving. Let's continue to get that done.”
Owens said she also wants to keep momentum going on the mixed-use development on the site of the former Syracuse Developmental Center near Tipperary Hill. She also said she’ll engage a special advisory committee of younger city professionals and artists called Gen Next. They’ll share what Syracuse means to them and how they live, work, and play.
