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Syracuse to seek up to $7 million in Safe Streets grant for Vision Zero projects, council told
Summary
City staff said Syracuse will apply for up to $7 million from NYSDOT's Safe Streets for All program to fund Vision Zero projects, with a required 20% local match the administration expects to cover from CIP dollars; councilors asked that any future legislative actions tied to Vision Zero come back to council.
City staff told the Common Council the administration intends to apply to the New York State Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets for All program for up to $7 million to support Vision Zero implementation projects.
Connor Muldoon, the city’s chief operating officer, said the grant would require a 20% local match and that the administration has identified Capital Improvement Program (CIP) dollars that could supply the match. He said the funding would finance infrastructure projects tied to the city’s Vision Zero Action Plan, including street redesigns, curb extensions, multi‑use paths and other measures to reduce vehicle fatalities and serious injuries.
Muldoon and other staff stressed that the Vision Zero document is a long‑range planning tool that outlines intentions and a toolbox of possible measures. He said any action that requires spending or legislative approval — for example, reducing a citywide speed limit — would return to the council for authorization. The administration also said it is hiring a Vision Zero coordinator to integrate the plan across road and safety projects.
A councilor asked whether the final Vision Zero plan would return to the council for review; staff replied that any item requiring expenditures or legislative action would indeed come back for council approval. A question about whether Marshals or a particular funding stream (“Marsha Shelley” in the transcript) was attached to the grant drew a response that other street‑improvement grant streams (referred to by staff) could complement Vision Zero projects, but that the Safe Streets grant itself would be separate.
Councilors indicated support for reducing fatalities and asked for future briefings as specific projects and funding commitments are identified. The item was discussed alongside related ordinances but staff said the grant application and the Vision Zero plan remain subject to subsequent council approvals when implementation steps require it.
