The Bond Building

  The Witherill Building

  The Chamberlin Building

Setting the Stage for Salina Street Redevelopment

New Art Project, Grants for Building & Business Owners, Security and Streetscape Enhancements

Syracuse, NY - The Downtown Committee of Syracuse, together with New York's Creative Core, is installing is installing new art, poetry and photography in several storefront windows along S. Salina Street and W. Fayette Street, in the heart of downtown.  The artwork is an immediate and highly visible sign of improvements that are taking place along what many consider Syracuse's "main street." 

The art wraps are displayed in three buildings along Salina and Fayette Streets:  the Bond Building, the Chamberlin Building, and the Witherill Building.  The featured artwork originates from two annual competitions that capitalize on the region's creative talent: the Syracuse Poster Project and the Creative Core's "Apple of My Eye" photography competition. 

"These works of art are not only beautiful, they're an important symbol as we prepare for new development that will take place along Salina Street in the next few months and years," said David Mankiewicz, Executive Director of the Downtown Committee of Syracuse.  "As part of this effort, we are also offering assistance to building owners along the 300 block of S. Salina Street who want to improve the look of their properties." 

The Downtown Committee is accepting applications from building and business owners for grants to fund façade improvements and building renovation projects for properties located on the 300 block of South Salina Street.  Through the New York Main Street program, the Committee will invest $200,000 on this block.  Applications are available at the Downtown Committee's offices.  Applications are due by December 18, 2009.  For more information on the program, contact:  Merike Treier at mtreier@DowntownSyracuse.com .  Two properties on the 300 block of S. Salina Street currently have projects underway as part of this program. 

In addition to the artwork and grant program, the Downtown Committee will invest $25,000 in other enhancements along this block of S. Salina Street, including: streetscape enhancements over the next few months, such as replacement of dead or damaged trees (as warranted), kiosk improvements, installation of new cigarette litter receptacles, and continued sidewalk cleaning.  The Syracuse Police Department has also increased its coverage as part of the broader effort to improve the area. 

About the Syracuse Poster Project

Established in 2001 by Jim Emmons and Syracuse University Professor Roger DeMuth, the Syracuse Poster Project brings together community poets and Syracuse University student and faculty artists to create series of illustrated poetry posters.  The project solicits poetry in three-line form known as haiku. Poets submit works that relate to downtown, the city at large, or the nearby countryside.  Each year, approximately 30 poets participate, each submitting up to five haiku.  Professor Roger DeMuth, who teaches Advanced Illustration for SU's College of Visual and Performing Arts, assigns the Project to a group of 20 to 40 students. Each student creates an illustrated poster, using a haiku of the student's choice.  In certain years, faculty and alumni artists are also invited to participate.  A selection of the best 16 combined works is displayed downtown each year.  Smaller versions of the posters that are suitable for framing are sold through the Downtown Copy Center.  For more information, visit www.posterproject.org

About the Creative Core "Apple of My Eye" Photography Contest

The Central Upstate Regional Alliance's "Apple of My Eye" photography contest is a year-long competition meant to highlight the Creative Core region through the eyes of those who love it. The "Apple of My Eye" photography contest challenges people to explore the character and places they value in this region.  Participation is open to anyone who lives, works, visits or dreams in the Central Upstate New York region.  All images submitted must be original work from a digital camera and must be taken within the region.  Photographs entered in the contest are judged on their artistic expression, creativity and originality and the quality of the image.  Submissions to the competition are due by the 15th of each month to be eligible for the following month's contest.  Each month's winners become finalists for a $1,000 grand prize at the end of the contest's first year.  For contest rules and information, go to www.CreativeCoreNY.com