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Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh Commits to Clearing City-owned Sidewalks; Steps up Enforcement on Violators

With another winter storm bearing down on Central New York, Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced a plan Friday to ensure timely snow removal from city-owned sidewalks and to urge residents to follow ordinances requiring them to do the same. 

The Mayor says he and leaders of the city are committed to:

  • Ensuring timely snow removal from sidewalks on all city-owned properties
  • Increasing awareness of existing ordinances and responsibilities for city residents
  • Using city data to step up enforcement of parking regulations in priority spots and throughout the city, as well as violations by private plow operators
  • Engaging city residents in reporting problem sidewalks and in developing solutions to the sidewalk snow removal issues

“Snow covered sidewalks are a serious hazard to pedestrians, and illegally parked cars during snow events create safety problems for residents and the DPW,” said Mayor Walsh. “With the city leading the way, it’s time for all of us to pull together and improve our response to dangerous snow conditions. That begins today and will continue from this day forward.”

Awareness of Existing Ordinances

Mayor Walsh reminded all city residents of the existing ordinances regarding sidewalk snow removal, parking and private plow operators:

Sidewalks: All city property owners are required to remove snow from sidewalks on their properties within 24 hours depending on weather conditions. The Mayor called on all property owners to complete their civic responsibility and ensure the safety of fellow residents.

The Mayor announced that residents can now report un-shoveled sidewalks online at a new “Snow Issue Tracker” reachable at cityline.syrgov.net. Data collected on Cityline will help the city develop long-term solutions.

Parking: Vehicles parked on the wrong side of the street or failing to comply with snow emergency parking guidelines will be ticketed and towed.

Private Plow Operators: Private plow operators are subject to a $150 fine for plowing snow into the public rights of way or for blocking sidewalks. Property owners are subject to $100 fines for this violation.

Increased Enforcement of Parking and Private Plow Operator Violations

Using information compiled by the Department of Innovation and in consultation with the Department of Public Works, the city has identified priority parking enforcement streets by quadrants of the city. The streets (see below), represent the most narrow city streets with more than 35 properties on a block and 25% or more two and three unit properties, as well as additional streets identified as problem points for DPW access in the past.

Using historic data and other information about city streets, we can predict where snow plows will face challenges and prevent dangerous situations for the public and for our plow operators,” said Sam Edelstein, chief data officer.

The Syracuse Police Department, in coordination with DPW, will increase enforcement first around critical infrastructure, such as hospitals and public safety facilities, and on steep hills in the city. Additional enforcement will progress to the priority streets and then to other parts of the city. Enforcement will occur throughout the city. Vehicles violating alternate side of the street parking regulations will be ticketed and towed.

In the priority areas and other parts of the city, DPW supervisors and Syracuse Police will also be issuing tickets to property owners and private plow operators who illegally push snow in rights of way and who block sidewalk access.

Walsh says it’s time for everyone to pull together and collectively improve the response to dangerous snow conditions.  

Snow Priority Parking Enforcement Areas 

North East

100 COLLINGWOOD AVE

300 COLLINGWOOD AVE

100 DURSTON AVE

100 JASPER ST

100 MILDRED AVE

200 NICHOLS AVE

100 PAUL AVE

100 PECK AVE

South East

500 CLARENDON ST

100 REDFIELD PL

200 ROBERT DR

200 ROOSEVELT AVE

300 ROOSEVELT AVE

800 SUMNER AVE

North West

300 APPLE ST

200 BRYANT AVE

100 STEUBEN ST

200 TENNYSON AVE

South West

100 BELLE AVE

100 CALTHROP AVE

200 CALTHROP AVE

100 FERNWOOD AVE

100 MATSON AVE

300 NEWELL ST

100 OSTRANDER AVE

100 PARKSIDE AVE

100 PARKWAY DR

200 REED AVE

100 REED AVE

Scott Willis covers politics, local government, transportation, and arts and culture for WAER. He came to Syracuse from Detroit in 2001, where he began his career in radio as an intern and freelance reporter. Scott is honored and privileged to bring the day’s news and in-depth feature reporting to WAER’s dedicated and generous listeners. You can find him on twitter @swillisWAER and email him at srwillis@syr.edu.