A gas station used to be there

Lonnie November 25th, 2009

“A gas station used to be there.” This is true of the corner of James and Midler. A gas station used to be on approximately every corner in Eastwood, based on some comments I heard at TNT Monday night. And that might have been true. But saying “a gas station used to be there” as justification for a new one being put in at the same location is like saying “An oil city used to be there” as justification for putting in even bigger, taller, brighter oil tanks at the northern entrance to Syracuse. Just because we used to do it doesn’t mean that it necessarily is or is not a good idea. Let’s debate this one on its own merits, not the merits of a period of cheap, plentiful oil, now fast waning. Continue Reading »

Those pesky – and dangerous – LED signs

Lonnie July 17th, 2009

Picture the driver navigating this intersection, kids being a distraction, cell phone ringing, a cup of coffee in one hand, and an LED sign brighter than everything else changing from one message to another:

Driver attention at James and Hickok

How about at night? Remember: this sign is changing all the time:

Continue Reading »

Egregious egress = tragic accident

Lonnie July 14th, 2009

I’m not the only one who hopes they get this exit straightened out before we have to read in the paper that a tragic “accident” has taken place at the intersection of James St. and Grant Blvd. Call it an accident and it seems the hand of God is in play. But even mere mortals can tell this exit at Walgreens isn’t going to work. Fact is, we knew it back on December 14, 2005, when I first put this on the Walkable Eastwood website:

From plans dating back to 2005

Continue Reading »

Proposed POMCO signs and parking lot

Lonnie June 5th, 2009

This letter was sent to me by James Creveling, who has been vitally interested in development in Eastwood for many years.  James has a BS in Environmental Studies and has completed coursework, with a focus on land use and design issues, for a Masters of Regional Planning (MRP), University at Albany.

As you may know, the Planning Commission is holding a public hearing at their June 8 meeting about a new POMCO development.  It includes a resubdivision, a project site review, and sign waivers.

Continue Reading »

Common Council meeting re: billboards

Lonnie May 19th, 2009

At last night’s planning commission meeting, reference was made to the electronic billboard that sits in Dewitt but “graces” the eastern entrance to Eastwood. It was used in an argument as a precedent for allowing the LED sign at Walgreens. Oh boy. Got that slippery-slope slidey feeling?

Continue Reading »

We’re supposed to knuckle under

Lonnie May 1st, 2009

Any of this sound familiar?

From debates heard in the United Kingdom’s House of Commons:

3 Feb 2009 : Column 194WH
…over Fowgay hall—admittedly, it was an unlovely property—on the site of which now stand 14 flats. It is a 0.17 acre plot, every inch of which has been built on, with the car park having to go underground. It is so out of kilter with the area that it beggars belief that it was approved on appeal. Builders wear down local communities by persistently reapplying. They make an application knowing that it will not be accepted. They then re-submit and re-submit, causing tremendous stress and worry in local communities, and in the end they slip in just under the bar. And that is the end of a happy residential area and, often, of its character.

We need properly planned communities. The Government should consider strengthening legislation to facilitate a much more holistic approach to our planning system. As my hon. Friend the Member for St. Ives said, local communities need a much greater say in decisions affecting the character of their area.

I have three suggestions that I hope the Government will consider. On the ability of developers to continue re-submitting applications, should we not have a “three strikes and you’re out” system to prevent the constant worry?

Mr. Hoyle: Two!

Continue Reading »

Planning Commission meeting re: sign waiver

Lonnie April 17th, 2009

FOR PUBLICATION FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2009

PUBLIC NOTICE
CITY OF SYRACUSE
CITY PLANNING COMMISSION

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a public hearing will be held Monday, April 27, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. in the Common Council Chambers, City Hall, Syracuse, New York to consider in full or in part the following applications:
. . . . . .
7) Application No. AS-08-33, for a Sign Waiver of area, type, and number, on property situated at 2327 James Street, owned by Five Point Development Grant, zoned Local Business, Class A, pursuant to Part C, Section X, of the City of Syracuse Zoning Rules and Regulations, as amended.

(See notification of complete meeting HERE.)

Look familiar?

Continue Reading »

Letter from Joe Nastri

Lonnie April 8th, 2009

Joe Nastri is a long-time Eastwood businessman who was involved in the original Eastwood Review Board that was disbanded by the City.

I too hope that the city does the right thing and upholds the zoning Overlay standards. Assertions have been made time and again that Eastwood looks the way it does because of neighbors and or the Zoning Overlay Guidelines. This is false. The reason why Eastwood has some problems with appearance is firstly because property owners, such as the owner of the old Steak and Sundae building and Byrne Dairy properties have made a conscious decision to allow these properties to fall into disrepair. The plan is for neighbors to get so fed up that we will accept what ever they decide is appropriate.

Continue Reading »

Post by Councilor Kathleen Joy

Lonnie April 5th, 2009

For many years, Kathleen Joy has supported smart, sustainable development in Eastwood. She has been a tireless researcher, an effective communicator, and a source of information that might otherwise have been difficult for the average resident. Some time ago, she started her own blog. As is her habit, when she has something of import to let the city know, she uses her blog as well as other means of communication to get her thoughts across.

So, without further ado, I take you to her thoughts, written on March 24, 2009:

Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign

Who wins monumental competition?

Lonnie March 23rd, 2009

When people drive into Eastwood from downtown Syracuse, the first thing to greet them at the gateway to our “village” has been this, the Veterans’ Monument. It is in an area that is 50% residential. We finish our Memorial Day parade there, where we gather for speeches and silent contemplation.

Veterans monument with flags

The proposed “monument sign” makes our gateway all about Walgreens instead:

Continue Reading »

A 10-minute primer

Lonnie March 23rd, 2009

If 100 people in Eastwood were to read this through – it takes less time than watching just the ads in “Dancing With the Stars” – and if each were to educate just one other person about the effect on Eastwood of the proposed Walgreens sign, then we’d have a great turn-out at the April 6 Planning Commission meeting. That’s when a decision will be made about what they want: a 10-foot LED stand-alone ground sign. It violates the overlay district guidelines in four ways: sign square footage, total number of signs, prohibition against ground signs, and prohibition against animated signs.

But here’s what you want to read first, an email reprinted here with permission from our neighbor and retired professor of architecture, Sig Snyder:

Continue Reading »

The sign they’ll be voting on April 6

Lonnie March 20th, 2009

There’s some confusion about the sign that the Planning Commission will be voting on come April 6. Here is my understanding of it (corrections, as always, are welcome in the comment section), as reported by a concerned citizen who visited the zoning office:

The overall dimensions of the proposed ground sign, including the two piers, is about 10 ft. high, by about 13 ft. wide, by 2.5 ft. deep.  The piers are 2.5 ft. square, and 10 ft. high.  The space between the piers is about 9 ft. wide, where there will be, I believe, a “Walgreens” sign, and the changeable electronic sign of about 8 ft. width.

Just how big is this, really? According to Common Councilor Kathleen Joy, “The entire sign would be about 100 sq ft. …The architect told me that it needs to be big enough to be seen over cars and the Veterans monument. ”

Continue Reading »

How to design a walkable neighborhood

Lonnie March 16th, 2009

While looking around for examples that might instruct us on how development in Eastwood should be designed, I came across an excellent about.com article, Stop Sprawl: How to Design a Walkable Neighborhood. It’s a quick read but better than that, it has great photos illustrating the points made.

To better understand the options we have if the city’s comprehensive plan is taken into account when designing one of the corners of James and Midler, take a look at the following:

Continue Reading »

What kind of signage do WE want?

Lonnie March 9th, 2009

Although we were assured in 2005 that there would be no scrolling LED sign at the Walgreens that now graces the gateway to our “village,” this type of sign is likely to rear its ugly head again. If you care about what kind of “look and feel” our traditional village streetscape has, you may want to attend the public hearing (details below).

Continue Reading »

New benches on James St.

Lonnie June 2nd, 2008

We’ve seen a couple gorgeous new benches crop up on James St., care of our TNT escrow funds. Doesn’t this look like a lovely, cool spot to enjoy on a warm summer day?

Bench on James St.

Huffstir’s part deux

Lonnie March 24th, 2007

Hubby Dave and I went over to Huffstir’s tonight to grab a meal. Though the patio looked awfully tempting, the temperature isn’t quite up to comfort level yet. We got to chat with some neighbors while waiting for our Chicken Saltimbuca and Chicken Riggies. After they left, I parked myself where I could watch Chef Huffstir and his crew work magic at the range. Bottles of sherry, Madeira and vodka were a good sign that these sauces were going to be a cut above average. Boy, was I wrong… they were way above average!
Continue Reading »

You haven’t lived in Eastwood if you ….

Lonnie March 22nd, 2007

What do you remember or know about Eastwood that makes this place unique among all other neighborhoods in the world? Please use the comment function to add your thoughts to those you see here, sent from Karen who moved to Florida and writes to us in the Walkable Eastwood email group.

You haven’t lived in Eastwood if you…

Never got caught with your feet up on a seat in the Palace, and Frances shining her flashlight in your eye. Yelling “Feet down or get out”.

Never tried sneaking in the Palace from the side door emergency exits… Your friends would pay to get in then make a lot of noise in the girls room with flushing and running water. Frances would come in to yell, “That’s enough water! If you want a bath, go home!” While she was in there someone would open the side door and let you in……

Never hid in Cummings field after dark, used your parents camera flash to make street light shut off, then swung on parks swings till midnight…..

Never listened to the great Stan Collela Orchestra while “Dancin’ under the stars”

Never had to close your windows on a damp or humid day when the winds came out of the east……Penicillin and Bristol……

Never had a 10 cent cinnamon Hershey Popsicle at Chase’s cigar store…

Never met great men like the late Tom Shepardson…. A kind friendly comfort in your hour of need…..

Never saw the great parade of little hobgoblins march up Forest Hill Drive every year on Halloween from A.S Huntington School…..

Never knew the phone number of every payphone from Charney’s to Thompson Rd…..or who was calling and probably who they were looking for…

Never went for a walk after dark over Sunnycrest hill/Shotwell park watching all the lights of the cars going by on 690 , while the wind whispering in the trees was making creepy noises and scaring your pants off…..

Never bought “chum gum” for a penny at Mel and Vi Sayers’ market…..

Never ate awesome Fried Haddock at the Fish Cove in Shop City…(No haddock in Florida)…

Never smelled that crazy musty odor in McCrory’s while your Mom made you try on flip flops or bought toilet paper there…..

Never had fries and a burger at Grant’s dept store snack bar in Shop City….

Never spent all summer saving money to go to all the surrounding neighborhoods’ “field days”…..They used to do one in the “First Trust” bank parking lot (Key Bank corner of Collingwood /James)… How about the one in Lyncourt, down in the field where Court Street meets Teall just east of Syracuse China……..

Never had a “Elephant Ear ” or “hot cross bun” at Rasmussen’s bakery on James St.

Never had a headlight at Geddes Bakery…..

Never played pool at Cap’s…..

Never played the greased watermelon race at the pool days, outdoors at the Huntington pool……

Never made boondoggles, lemon ice or spin art with the rec dept at Huntington park….

Never wrote your initials on the wall outside Biasone’s bowling alley and got chased away…..

Never ate McDonald’s late night outside the Fotomat in Shop City…..

Never got to try nail polish on at the make-up counter in Mr. Wager’s pharmacy on James and North Ave….

Never walked down James St on a summer Sunday around 10:30 when the Catholics, Methodists and Baptists were all singing hymns with their doors open…..

Never took a cab ride with “Ace Eastwood Cab Company”… Louie Tenalglia, Louie Recaparo, Vic Bottina, Esther Blevins… To name of few of my cabby friends….

Never got out of BS school for lunch and had a RB on a Kaiser at Sid’s Steak and Sundae…

Never had a note along with 200 other kids for a “Dr appointment” on opening day at the Syracuse Chiefs…..

Never ran into Galloway’s Pharmacy to get out of the rain and grab a coke while doing your paper route on Paul, Peck, James, Teall and Rugby Rd….

Never got a really beautiful Christmas tree at the Evergreen Mart on Thompson Rd. Or beautiful annuals across the street at Barbagallo’s stand….

Never wondered if smelt were fish, why on earth did that factory on Thompson Rd smell like smoke and dirty metal?

Never were green with envy at the size of that awesome front yard at Shotwell and James St and GOBSMACKED how ya never saw any kids playing on it…..

and last but not least…

Never thought it was gonna be missed so very much when you left it behind…….

I left my heart in Eastwood….

To all
Peace
Karen

Café Kubal opens at Eastwood Plaza

Lonnie March 10th, 2007

Walk into Cafe Kubal, just three blocks from the corner of James and Midler, and you immediately know where you are. There is no other cafe like it, for where else will you find not only precisely these beans being roasted in this particular antique roaster, but also the work of The Craftsman, Ron Cosser, who carries on the artistry of Gustav Stickley, fronting the counter that holds your just- made cup of cappuccino? In addition to coffee drinks and teas at reasonable prices, you’ll also find Austrian- style pastries made with butter that’s flown in from Austria! Cafe Kubal is located in what’s commonly known as Sacred Melody Plaza, but the plaza recently got a new lease on life and is now officially the Eastwood Plaza.

cafekubalmattrachel.jpg
Matt and Rachel Godard

It’s businesses like these that create a sense of place, that foster a sense of authentic human attachment and belonging. We welcome businesses to Eastwood that are, whenever possible, locally owned and operated, for it’s the people from here who understand the needs of the people who live here.

SLIDE SHOW

Continue Reading »

Hardware mainstay moves in Eastwood

Lonnie January 29th, 2007

Sunday, January 28, 2007 (courtesy the Post-Standard)
BOB NIEDTAt least when you’re moving a hardware store, there are plenty of tools – and a fine selection of those cool brass numbers to go on the new mailbox – to get the job done.Mission accomplished at Nightingale True Value, in Eastwood.

The long-timer bounced over to the Sacred Melody plaza, 3525 James St., from 2313 James St., at the corner of Grant Boulevard.

Well, it’s actually the “Eastwood Plaza” but few of us think of it as such. We’re thrilled that True Value has stayed. Visit them, folks, and support your local economy. Keep Syracuse dollars in Syracuse!

You can bring your spent fluorescents to True Value Hardware (that’s compact, U-shaped, and/or 4-foot fluorescent bulbs). They’ll ship them for recycling. Keep hazardous waste out of the environment!

Read this and weep

Lonnie January 15th, 2007

“Those who do not learn from history are bound to repeat it.”

Eastwood Took Its Shot at NBA Glory
Post-Standard, The (Syracuse, NY)
November 22, 1999
Author: SEAN KIRST POST-STANDARD COLUMNIST

The three teen-agers crouched Sunday on the James Street sidewalk, near the half-demolished remnants of the Eastwood Sports Center. Hands in pockets, they rattled off the rumors about what was coming next. “A Pizza Hut,” said one kid. We could use one of those.” His buddy Justin said, “I heard a combined Taco Bell and a Kentucky Fried Chicken.”
They were surprised to learn the Sports Center was a part of sports history.

… “It could have survived,” said Elva Kendrat, “with good ownership.“

Signs Saved at Sports Site; Daniel Biasone’s Former Bowling Center To Be Razed
Post-Standard, The (Syracuse, NY)
November 18, 1999
Author: Gloria Wright Staff writer

Although saving the signs was a “small success,” Williams said he regrets losing the building. “It’s one loss that the building is gone. The greater loss is what’s going up in its place,” he said.

Note: For you gentle readers who don’t know this location, it’s at James St. and Midler Ave., and since this 1999 demolition, nothing has gone up there but a small building housing Kristen’s Ice Cream, closed half the year. Most of the lot is rubble and cement, an attractive nuisance to kids.