Syracuse officials propose fronting $2 million to speed NEPA and unlock $30 million for East Adams redevelopment

Syracuse City staff on a joint Economic Development and Public Works study session proposed using $2 million in city capital to advance the environmental review needed to unlock $30 million in federal Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods funds for the East Adams neighborhood.

Sarah Walton, a staff member with the Department of Neighborhood and Business Development, told councilors the city received $30,000,000 of Reconnecting Communities funding allocated through the New York State Department of Transportation and that completing a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review is required "to unlock those funds." She said the city has a separate $10,000,000 allocation from the governor administered through Empire State Development (ESD) to cover predevelopment expenses, but that ESD's disbursement timeline is later than the schedule needed to meet Federal Highway Administration design deadlines.

Completing NEPA by May is the stated deadline. Walton said the proposed approach is for the city to temporarily advance funds so McCormack Baron Salazar (the housing authority's master developer) can contract Langan, the engineering firm already conducting environmental work for the housing…