Lonnie January 15th, 2007
That decrepit building, known as the “Steak & Sundae building,” hugs the northeast corner of James and Midler. And we want to keep it because it follows the guidelines a lot better than an empty lot. In Eastwood you need a plan before you can just tear a building down.
Below you can see an aerial view of the corner of James and Midler. The “Steak & Sundae” building is indicated by an asterisk: *. That building is inviting for people to walk into, as long as it’s maintained and occupied, of course. Most important, it holds the corner and its parking lot is mostly in the rear. “Urbanism starts with the location of the parking lot.”
Look at the southwest corner. This is where the Sports Center was (#3). It’s been a large, empty eyesore since it was demolished with no plan for redevelopment. The Dunkin Donuts is a suburban-style building in a sea of asphalt. It’s appropriate for spots just off the Interstates, not an urban neighborhood. The Byrne Dairy (#4) gives us asphalt instead of an interesting building at the corner. So with large expanses of asphalt on three corners, why would we want to complete this vile picture?
Key Bank, #1, doesn’t follow this guideline: “All buildings facing James Street shall be placed so that their facades are parallel to the street line of James Street.” It’s possible to have new buildings that follow the dictums of smart urban development.
Lonnie January 15th, 2007
Eastwood building stays
Post-Standard, January 9, 2007*The building at James Street and North Midler Avenue that houses the Steak & Sundae Restaurant cannot be torn down unless a suitable plan for the site is developed first, the Syracuse Planning Commission ruled Monday.In a 4-0 vote, the commission denied an application by Michael Muraco to demolish the building, put down gravel in its place and fence the lot. Muraco said in his application that there is no interest in the building from buyers or prospective tenants. The sole current tenant, the restaurant, is planning to move out.
Six Eastwood residents spoke against the demolition in a hearing before the vote. They said the building isn’t marketable because Muraco has let it run down. The residents said the building should either be rehabilitated or replaced, but that a fenced gravel lot was unacceptable. No residents spoke in favor of the plan.
This makes us at Walkable Eastwood very happy. The building, although in sorry condition, is better than yet another wasteland at that intersection. The building also technically complies with the Overlay District Guidelines in that it holds the corner and has entrances and transparency to the street.
Thank you, Planning Commissioners, for sticking to standards.
Lonnie January 1st, 2006
James St. Overlay District Zoning Standards
These are standards by which all development proposals for James St. in Eastwood are evaluated. They are often referred to as “the guidelines.”
“The regulations set forth in this Article establish a specialized district for the Eastwood portion of James Street and are intended to protect and enhance the traditional neighborhood main street character of the area. A principal aim of the regulations is to maintain and stimulate a pedestrian friendly environment while encouraging business and civic growth.”