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Board approves Syracuse Housing Strategy implementation urban renewal plan and contract authorization
Summary
The SURA board approved Resolution No. 3,464 to adopt a Syracuse Housing Strategy implementation urban renewal plan, authorize certain residential financial assistance under the plan, and authorize execution of a contract with the City of Syracuse.
The SURA board approved Resolution No. 3,464 to adopt the Syracuse Housing Strategy Implementation Urban Renewal Plan, authorize certain forms of financial assistance to residential property owners under that plan, and direct staff to execute a contract with the City of Syracuse to implement the plan.
Michelle Spanski, deputy commissioner of Neighborhood Development for the City of Syracuse, briefed the board on the background. She said the city council adopted a Syracuse Housing Strategy in 2024 to address housing affordability and market gaps, and the council authorized creation of the Syracuse Housing Strategies Corporation as a local development corporation and public authority to implement that plan. Spanski said the city’s first general fund allocation to support housing implementation serves as seed funding for the Housing Strategies Corporation.
Spanski told the board that New York State regulations generally limit when municipal funds may be used to provide financial assistance directly to homeowners on private residences, but as an urban renewal agency SURA can use statutory exceptions to enable activities the housing strategy envisions, including rehabilitation and demolition in blighted or at-risk neighborhoods. She said the proposed urban renewal plan would align SURA’s guiding documents with the city-adopted housing strategy and provide a mechanism to deliver certain investments without violating state restrictions.
Board members discussed whether SURA can have multiple urban renewal plans and were told by staff that multiple plans can exist; the last SURA plan amendment was in 2013 when the Syracuse Land Bank was authorized. The board also discussed whether it was appropriate for the chair, who serves as mayor, to sign the city contract; legal staff said the dual role has precedent and could be handled within the resolution if the board prefers.
The motion to approve the plan, authorize certain financial assistance to residential property owners in accordance with the plan, and authorize execution and delivery of a contract with the City of Syracuse carried by voice vote; all present voted “Aye.” The plan will next proceed to the City Planning Commission for review and then to the Common Council for reaffirmation, as required by the urban renewal adoption process.
