A key feature of the law is a demolition surety (probably the most polemic issue at the time), meaning that if the property owners did not meet the requirements within three years, then they were required to put up a demolition surety to cover the costs of demolition. It should be noted that vacant buildings involve more than just a Code Enforcement action (which is the most apparent remedy). In addition, health safety standards, criminal and civil violations are involved. Therefore, there are a whole cluster of issues associated with vacant buildings requiring several agency responses. In fact, each known abandoned residential property may involve 20 or more city actions and cost taxpayers nearly $12,000 over a five-year period, according to the Cornell Cooperative Extension Association report cited in Buffalo’s Blueprint (see link below).

Eastwood’s Design Guidelines are the result of a publically vetted zoning law and to change them would require yet another public vetting. Those who believe that a suburban single-purpose standalone structure plopped down in the middle of a dense urban area in Eastwood is going to stimulate economic opportunity are uninformed and are in denial of the facts. The problem is NOT that a new tenant or new developer will not adhere to the design guidelines because they “have to have a parking lot in front”. Regarding the Steak N Sundae property, the reality is that it is a derelict property and that it is contributing to the decline of Eastwood and THIS is precisely why few will want to invest in Eastwood development along James Street.

Finally, if there is to be anything done about vacant and abandoned buildings, the City of Syracuse needs to be more aggressive. They are really behind on this one. See the following links:
http://www.vacantproperties.org/
http://www.vacantproperties.org/technical/programs/buffalo.html Buffalo’s program.

It’s the incremental, case-by-case exceptions that will eat away at the rules until they are worthless. Even “minor” proposals like the currrent Walgreens signage plan are decision points, and poor decisions can add up quickly, both in degraded street character and in forever-weakened design rules.

I get a nasty letter if there’s any hiccup with the payment of property taxes on my humble $80,000 home. I get a parking ticket if I am on the wrong side of the street at 6:05. But apparently a million dollar building can sit there blighting up the neighborhood with delinquent taxes with no consequences.

What the hell, Syracuse? THIS is why people move away from upstate New York. You want to know why? This is why.

Can we PLEASE get some leadership in this city? Can we please get a mayor, or some more council members, who will stand up to these jerks who are tanking our property values? Please?

Eastwood residents are paying attention, mayoral candidates. Impress us.