Syracuse, NY - Syracuse Common Council Monday unanimously approved traffic changes to two blocks of East Genesee Street that were opposed by some businesses there. The new traffic patterns are part of the city’s design for the Connective Corridor, a project that aims to better connect Syracuse University to downtown and the cultural, civic and business sites in between. Council...
Syracuse, NY - Syracuse Common Council Monday unanimously approved traffic changes to two blocks of East Genesee Street that were opposed by some businesses there.
The new traffic patterns are part of the city’s design for the Connective Corridor, a project that aims to better connect Syracuse University to downtown and the cultural, civic and business sites in between.
Council approved a slate of plans for the Connective Corridor, including reducing the 800 and 900 blocks of East Genesee from two lanes in each direction to one, with bicycle lanes on both sides of the street. The $4.2 million reconstruction, funded by federal and state money, also includes landscaped medians, lighting and sidewalks.
Councilor Pat Hogan, who initially opposed the plan for the 800 and 900 blocks said he voted in favor only after city officials promised to shorten a planned center island that businesses feared would cause problems for traffic and pedestrians.
Alan Rothschild, a business owner in the 800 block of East Genesee Street, has led several neighboring business representatives in objections to the street reconstruction plan. Rothschild said the current plan will cause motorists to avoid the street and create traffic backups during events at the Carrier Dome. He said the small adjustment to the center island was not nearly enough to satisfy the concerns of business owners.
Syracuse University and the city plan to begin reconstruction of East Genesee Street next year.
Contact Meghan Rubado at mrubado@syracuse.com or 470-3260.