Syracuse City’s Preservation Board on Nov. 20 reviewed plans to convert 652 West Onondaga, an 1893 mansion, into mixed uses and offered affirmative comments to city planning while noting that further SHPO and National Park Service review will be required as the project pursues historic tax credits.

Hillary Donahue introduced the item and CityLink Architecture described converting the front grand portion of the mansion into a private members’ club oriented to small events and performing-arts programming, while creating two residential apartments in the former servants’ quarters. The presenter summarized the mansion’s history and character: it was built in 1893, has granite first story elements, terracotta shingled siding, and surviving stained-glass and trim elements that the team said are being catalogued for reuse.

The team described plans to remove a later 'bridge' connection between this mansion and a neighboring property to restore a drive to the rear and said elevator restoration was cost-prohibitive; instead they are considering a platform lift for accessibility. The presenter said many trim pieces are stored in the basement and could be reused; the owner has applied for Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) funding and plans to pursue tax credits.

Board members praised the project as an important investment in the neighborhood and recommended affirmative comments to the Common Council/Planning Commission; staff noted the project is eligible and will require a window survey and further return to the preservation board as details are refined for SHPO/NPS review.