PILOT Agreement for University Housing

The Syracuse Common Council will vote Monday on whether or not to approve a 20-year PILOT agreement for new dorm housing built at Syracuse University.

The University leased tax exempt land to private investor, WILSU, LLC., a subsidiary of Wilmorite, to construct the $14 million housing project, John Copanas, Syracuse City Clerk, said.
“The city will lose tax money,” Copanas said.

The City of Syracuse will be responsible for providing public services, like fire and police, to the building, Copanas said.

The PILOT, or Payment In Lieu Of Taxes, agreement will allow the investor to pay less in taxes than if the property were assessed at full value, an online report from Kathleen Joy said.

“PILOT programs used to be just for economic development projects that created jobs”, Pat Hogan, Syracuse Common Councilor who opposes the project, said, “Now every corporate entity thinks it has the right to get one”.

“I wouldn't want to live there,” Hogan said

The five floor apartment complex will be built on the corner of Comstock Ave. and East Adams St. It will house 227 beds, according to a design available on the Syracuse University website said.

The Common Council has voted favorably on similar PILOT requests, Hogan said.

The Council voted eight to one in favor of a similar PILOT request for Syracuse University apartments located on East Colvin St., he said

“I don't think the Councilors are apt to vote against this because they all voted for the last deal,” Hogan said.