If you walk around Downtown Syracuse and are in the mood for shopping, finding those large chain businesses may be difficult. Armory Square is still a very popular shopping destination, but there isn’t much going on outside of there.
One reason for this trend is the excessive taxes that Downtown property owners have to pay, according to yestercuse.com. Not only do they pay regular city and county taxes that all property owners in Syracuse pay, but they are also subject to a non-optional Downtown Special District Assessment—essentially a tax for being located Downtown—to finance the Downtown Committee, a private, not-for-profit organization.
“I’ve never even heard of [the Special District Assessment],” says Diane Bersani, owner of Bersani Gallery on 217 S. Salina St. Bersani doesn’t own the property where her business is located. “Maybe it has an impact on my rent payments, but I had no idea that such a thing existed.”
Other business owners were not as unaware and indifferent.
Fast food chains such as McDonald’s and Burger King have disappeared from Downtown, and many businesses choose local suburbs instead for lower taxes and more parking availability, yestercuse.com reports.
The Downtown Committee’s mission statement claims that it uses these funds to “improve Downtown’s image” and “increase its attractiveness,” among other things.
The Committee did not provide any further comment regarding businesses leaving for lower taxes.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Zoos Fourish in Reccession
Despite an economic recession and a decline in sponsors over the last year, the Rosamond Gifford Zoo is becoming a more popular attraction among Central New Yorkers.
In 2008 Rosamond Gifford’s attendance was at its highest in over seven years.
“(The recession) isn’t hurting us. It may even be helping us just because people aren’t going out of town and there looking for things to do,” said Lorrell Walter the zoo’s Director of Public Relations.
“People may not be taking that trip to Florida or North Carolina but they are looking for some place new to go right in their state,” Walter said.
Walter also said another reason why the zoo’s attendance is up because the cost of admission is at Rosamond Gifford is very affordable and not a financial strain of struggling families.
Participation in the zoo’s May EdZOOcation and Summer Zoo Camp two of the zoo’s youth programs is also rising during the recession. Last year the programs completely filled up last summer and are expected to do the same this year.
Rosamond Gifford does not plan to have any new exhibits or projects this year, but “it has nothing to do with the economy” Walter said.
Nationally countless other zoos are thriving especially in major cities like Detroit, San Francisco, and Minnesota where attendance exceeded a million people in each zoo last year.
In 2008 Rosamond Gifford’s attendance was at its highest in over seven years.
“(The recession) isn’t hurting us. It may even be helping us just because people aren’t going out of town and there looking for things to do,” said Lorrell Walter the zoo’s Director of Public Relations.
“People may not be taking that trip to Florida or North Carolina but they are looking for some place new to go right in their state,” Walter said.
Walter also said another reason why the zoo’s attendance is up because the cost of admission is at Rosamond Gifford is very affordable and not a financial strain of struggling families.
Participation in the zoo’s May EdZOOcation and Summer Zoo Camp two of the zoo’s youth programs is also rising during the recession. Last year the programs completely filled up last summer and are expected to do the same this year.
Rosamond Gifford does not plan to have any new exhibits or projects this year, but “it has nothing to do with the economy” Walter said.
Nationally countless other zoos are thriving especially in major cities like Detroit, San Francisco, and Minnesota where attendance exceeded a million people in each zoo last year.
New York Seizing the moment in Civil Rights
Governor Paterson maybe down in popularity, but some groups are now praising him.
On April 16, Governor Paterson announced his plan to pass legislation allowing same sex marriage in the state of New York.
The law could change the lives of many members of the Syracuse community.
Central New York draws close to 6,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender every June for the Central New York Pride Parade and Festival.
Sean Maloney, Grad. Assistant, SU Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Resource Center, says the June celebration will have a certain charge of excitement this year.
"The festival is all about being comfortable in your own skin, being who you are whether people like it or not. It is great that New York is seizing the moment and being right there with new legislation," Maloney said.
But not all of the Syracuse GLBT community is excited about the way Gov. Paterson is handling the legislation.
"Some people feel a little mixed about the legislation, the way Paterson has introduced it, without any co-sponsors is done in a way that demeans the process," Maloney said.
Maloney touched on the legislation hitting a delay in the state legislature, waiting for the democratic majority leader to secure 32 more votes, which caused some tension amongst the community.
But, Member of the Syracuse City government say they are ready to meet the challenges of a future law.
"The city clerk issues the marriage licenses so we will meet the needs of same sex marriage licenses as well," John Copanas, City Clerk, said.
Despite the timing of the same sex marriage legislation, interfering with hot topics in the nation such as the economy and foreign policy, Maloney believes it is always time to deal with civil rights.
"I think everyone deserves to be married. Everyone should have the opportunity," Maloney said.
SU Preps for Record Crowd
Syracuse University expects a record crowd on Sunday, May 10 when Vice President Joe Biden addresses the school’s 153rd graduating class at the Carrier Dome.
SU Special Events Executive Director Susan Germain estimates anywhere between 22,000 and 30,000 people will attend the ceremony at the Carrier Dome, putting enormous pressure on the venue’s personnel.
“Their staff is stretched,” she said.
Among their many challenges is the ramped-up security that comes with hosting a sitting Vice President.
“The biggest concern is the security issue,” Germain said.
According to SU Senior Associate Athletic Director Pat Campbell, senior Carrier Dome staff members meet two to three times weekly to plan accommodations for the extra 6,000 to 8000 expected audience members, including Biden’s Secret Service detail.
Even local businesses will need to adjust their procedures for the Vice President’s arrival next week.
“Security here is different,” said Syracuse University Sheraton Hotel Director of Rooms Gil Reyes. “We’re keeping everyone informed and setting aside parking for associates [on commencement day].”
For Reyes and the Sheraton personnel, commencement weekend adjustments come with great profit.
The hotel sells out at least a year in advance of every ceremony, with an average room costing over $300 per night.
“We like to say commencement weekend is our Super Bowl,” Reyes said.
SU Special Events Executive Director Susan Germain estimates anywhere between 22,000 and 30,000 people will attend the ceremony at the Carrier Dome, putting enormous pressure on the venue’s personnel.
“Their staff is stretched,” she said.
Among their many challenges is the ramped-up security that comes with hosting a sitting Vice President.
“The biggest concern is the security issue,” Germain said.
According to SU Senior Associate Athletic Director Pat Campbell, senior Carrier Dome staff members meet two to three times weekly to plan accommodations for the extra 6,000 to 8000 expected audience members, including Biden’s Secret Service detail.
Even local businesses will need to adjust their procedures for the Vice President’s arrival next week.
“Security here is different,” said Syracuse University Sheraton Hotel Director of Rooms Gil Reyes. “We’re keeping everyone informed and setting aside parking for associates [on commencement day].”
For Reyes and the Sheraton personnel, commencement weekend adjustments come with great profit.
The hotel sells out at least a year in advance of every ceremony, with an average room costing over $300 per night.
“We like to say commencement weekend is our Super Bowl,” Reyes said.
Maggie's Awaits Its Trial
Popular Syracuse University bar, Maggie’s Sports Bar and Restaurant remains closed and is awaiting a date for their trial after having their liquor license suspended earlier this month.
On April 15, the New York State Liquor Authority suspended Maggie’s liquor license after a raid on the morning of April 1.
The undercover raid was a joint operation between the Syracuse Police Department and the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office.
One undercover officer was denied entrance to the bar because he didn’t have college identification.
When the remaining officers entered Maggie’s they witnessed underage patrons purchase and consume alcoholic beverages, a report from the liquor authority said.
Maggie’s also was serving drinks from two bars when they were only authorized for one bar by the State Liquor Authority, the report also said.
The complaint said ten employees that were working as security guards were not licensed security guards. New York State requires all security guards to be licensed.
One guard even admitted to being a convicted felon.
“This guy was a criminal and he was protecting the public.” Michael Smith, Public Information Officer for the New York State Liquor Authority said.
Maggie’s lawyers issued a plea of not guilty on April 15. They are now entitled to an expedited hearing.
“After reading through the many different citations that they actually received, it almost scares me now thinking about how poorly the place was run.” A Syracuse University male freshman who spoke under a condition of anonymity said.
If Maggie’s is convicted of the offenses they will have to pay a heavy fine and will not be able to apply for a new liquor license for at least twenty four months.
Photo courtesy of David Miller/The Daily Orange
Transportation Projects
Central New York will receive funding in order to complete transportation projects that have been put on hold for years. The area will get at least $82 million in stimulus money which has been set aside to repair various bridge, highways and roads.
Gov. Paterson has estimated the road projects will bring 2,000 new jobs to the area. These jobs include construction workers, surveyors, trucker drivers and others related to construction.
The total cost of the projects will be close $220 million. The Department of Transportation chipping in $88 million and the Consolidated Highway Improvement Program funding $50 million.
Josh Ribakov, assistant regional director of the Central New York DOT office, said he was excited for the projects to begin, “We need to get these projects going as quick possible,” he said
“These projects help on two fronts. It helps create jobs in a failing economy while at the same time repairing transportation issues that have been problems for years,” Ribakov said.
“Some of these projects have been talked about for years.” Ricky Gervel, who is in charge of Construction at the CNY DOT office said.
“The stimulus money also helps to start projects that may have been put on hold for many more years” Gervel said.
Gervel also described the jobs as a “real boom to the CNY industry construction jobs” because “this sector has been hit hard by the recession and this will get many back to work.”
Construction is expected to begin soon and is projected to be finished by 2010. For more information visit https://www.nysdot.gov/regional-offices/region3/projects.
Gov. Paterson has estimated the road projects will bring 2,000 new jobs to the area. These jobs include construction workers, surveyors, trucker drivers and others related to construction.
The total cost of the projects will be close $220 million. The Department of Transportation chipping in $88 million and the Consolidated Highway Improvement Program funding $50 million.
Josh Ribakov, assistant regional director of the Central New York DOT office, said he was excited for the projects to begin, “We need to get these projects going as quick possible,” he said
“These projects help on two fronts. It helps create jobs in a failing economy while at the same time repairing transportation issues that have been problems for years,” Ribakov said.
“Some of these projects have been talked about for years.” Ricky Gervel, who is in charge of Construction at the CNY DOT office said.
“The stimulus money also helps to start projects that may have been put on hold for many more years” Gervel said.
Gervel also described the jobs as a “real boom to the CNY industry construction jobs” because “this sector has been hit hard by the recession and this will get many back to work.”
Construction is expected to begin soon and is projected to be finished by 2010. For more information visit https://www.nysdot.gov/regional-offices/region3/projects.
No More Text Drives
The next time you respond to a text, you may end up with more than just a phone bill. Starting July 1st, anyone caught writing, sending or even reading a text message will be subjected to $150 dollar ticket.
County Executive Joanne Mahoney approved the legislation after there were no objections to the public pre-signing hearing on Monday April 20th. The legislation was is an important step in making the roads safer for drivers of all ages, Mahoney said.
The legislation hopes to strike a balance between the rights of the people and while improving the safety of the county’s population.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that an estimated 80% of accidents and 65% of near accidents are caused by distracted drivers. The number one distraction among drivers has been found to be their cell phones.
However, 1/3 of drivers under the age of 24 and 1/5 of drivers older than that say they still text while driving. A 2002 study by Harvard Center for Risk Analysis showed that 2,600 people die and over 330,000 are injured in cell phone related car accidents yearly.
Although Mahoney has approved the legislation, there is still the possibility that the by July 1st the legislation will be amended. Currently emergency officials are exempt from the restraints of the law but legislator Martin Masterpole is pushing for everyone to be responsible.
“If it is dangerous, it does not matter who you are,” said Masterpole.
County Executive Joanne Mahoney approved the legislation after there were no objections to the public pre-signing hearing on Monday April 20th. The legislation was is an important step in making the roads safer for drivers of all ages, Mahoney said.
The legislation hopes to strike a balance between the rights of the people and while improving the safety of the county’s population.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that an estimated 80% of accidents and 65% of near accidents are caused by distracted drivers. The number one distraction among drivers has been found to be their cell phones.
However, 1/3 of drivers under the age of 24 and 1/5 of drivers older than that say they still text while driving. A 2002 study by Harvard Center for Risk Analysis showed that 2,600 people die and over 330,000 are injured in cell phone related car accidents yearly.
Although Mahoney has approved the legislation, there is still the possibility that the by July 1st the legislation will be amended. Currently emergency officials are exempt from the restraints of the law but legislator Martin Masterpole is pushing for everyone to be responsible.
“If it is dangerous, it does not matter who you are,” said Masterpole.
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