Businesses on Syracuse’s north side are getting help from Onondaga County to spruce up their storefronts. It’s part of a larger effort to boost investment in and around a growing neighborhood. County executive Ryan McMahon said they’re focusing on businesses in the Butternut Salina Street corridor, the Washington Square corridor, the Hawley Green corridor, and the Prospect Hill corridor.
The county is pitching in $1.5 million as part of its Main Street program, and 19 businesses are matching with $500,000. McMahon said it’s important to build upon momentum in the area.
“You look at the Inner Harbor. You look at a new state-of-the-art aquarium, which will be open soon," he said. "Destiny USA, a ballpark, a regional market. And how do we create those connections to bring value to the businesses there and bring value to the residents of the city.”
County Legislature chairwoman Nicole Watts represents the north side.
“When they see disinvestment, deterioration happening, it impacts how they feel about the place that they live," she said. "There's actually a lot of power in investing in what people see with their eyes every day, both for neighborhood perception, for visitors, but also for people who call the community home.”
But she said investment should be available when businesses need help replacing something like a broken freezer or air conditioner. Mayor Sharon Owens said she’s grateful for the county’s assistance, and she says the city is doing its part with other improvements.
“We have learned in the city that business investment for your buildings also has to be coupled with investment in infrastructure as well," she said. "So we also are looking at sidewalks, looking at our lighting, and looking at everything that goes with making sure that your businesses are able to prosper.”
Since 2019, the county and property owners have invested more than $38 million in 350 projects through the Main Street program.
Below is a list of all 19 projects:
NORTH SALINA STREET PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
Rocky’s News — 447 N. Salina St.
• County Funding: $54,675
• Owner Match: $18,225
• Total Investment: $72,900
• Scope of Work: New windows, doors, lights, signage, brick repointing/repair, eave improvements
Crab Spot — 449 N. Salina St.
• County Funding: $44,025
• Owner Match: $14,675
• Total Investment: $58,700
• Scope of Work: New windows, doors, façade, lighting, signage, brick repointing/repair, eavework
Francesca’s — 541–545 N. Salina St.
• County Funding: $56,104.65
• Owner Match: $18,701.55
• Total Investment: $74,806.20
• Scope of Work: Masonry, windows, painting
Rent-A-Center / Liquor Warehouse — 507–513 N. Salina St.
• County Funding: $89,302.39
• Owner Match: $29,767.46
• Total Investment: $119,069.85
• Scope of Work: Masonry, painting, windows & doors
Rent-A-Center / Butternut — 501–505 N. Salina St.
• County Funding: $33,212.17
• Owner Match: $11,070.73
• Total Investment: $44,282.90
• Scope of Work: Masonry, painting, doors, fencing
BUTTERNUT–SALINA / NORTH STATE STREET PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
County Wide Appliance — 1001 N. State St.
• County Funding: $119,062.50
• Owner Match: $39,687.50
• Total Investment: $158,750
• Scope of Work: 39 new windows, new metal siding, dumpster enclosure & fence extension
Office/Warehouse — 909 N. State St.
• County Funding: $46,753.50
• Owner Match: $15,584.50
• Total Investment: $62,338
• Scope of Work: New door, 3 windows, brick repair & repointing
Brady Systems — 811 N. Alvord St.
• County Funding: $175,000
• Owner Match: $58,334
• Total Investment: $233,334
• Scope of Work: Brick pointing, new windows, new fencing
Syracuse Antique Exchange — 1629 N. Salina St.
• County Funding: $191,407.79
• Owner Match: $63,802.60
• Total Investment: $255,210.39
• Scope of Work: Windows, lighting, signage, patio, fencing, doors, painting, brick
repair/repointing
Pastime Athletic Club — 1314 N. Salina St.
• County Funding: $100,000
• Owner Match: $33,333
• Total Investment: $133,333
• Scope of Work: Trim, fascia, windows, doors, painting
NY Bus Sales — 801 Hiawatha Blvd.
• County Funding: $175,000
• Owner Match: $58,334
• Total Investment: $233,334
• Scope of Work: New glass block, overhead doors, fencing
WASHINGTON SQUARE (WSQ) PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
Guilfoil’s Irish Pub — 501 Burnet Ave.
• County Funding: $66,637.50
• Owner Match: $22,212.50
• Total Investment: $88,850
• Scope of Work: New windows & doors, upper siding, soffits & fascia, window security bars,
enclosed dumpster area
443 Social Club & Lounge — 443 Burnet Ave.
• County Funding: $19,275
• Owner Match: $6,425
• Total Investment: $25,700
• Scope of Work: New front façade, windows, lighting
Fradon Lock — 467 Burnet Ave.
• County Funding: $87,438
• Owner Match: $29,146
• Total Investment: $116,584
• Scope of Work: New windows, signage, doors, security door, siding/stone façade
HAWLEY-GREEN PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
Events/Community Space — 449 Hawley Ave.
• County Funding: $108,459
• Owner Match: $36,153
• Total Investment: $144,612
• Scope of Work: New front entrance/door, windows, façade improvements
Housing Visions — 116 Hawley Ave.
• County Funding: $16,387.50
• Owner Match: $5,462.50
• Total Investment: $21,850
• Scope of Work: Paint & façade repairs, security upgrades
Café Kubal — 208 N. Townsend St.
• County Funding: $39,978
• Owner Match: $13,326
• Total Investment: $53,304
• Scope of Work: Brick repointing, door repair/replacement, signage, pergola/fence
improvements
PROSPECT HILL PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
OIP Offices — 623 E. Willow St.
• County Funding: $27,282
• Owner Match: $9,094
• Total Investment: $36,376
• Scope of Work: New windows, new door/frame, new entry overhang, paint front fascia, soffit &
trim
Luminaire B & B — 714 N. McBride St.
• County Funding: $50,000
• Owner Match: $16,667
• Total Investment: $66,667
• Scope of Work: Masonry restoration, windows, paint/repair wood, railings, porch, gutters,
tower
restoration
