Annual Meeting 6/21/2023

2023 Downtown Committee Annual Meeting Highlighted

Incredible Investment Happening in Downtown Syracuse and Downtown Awards of Excellence Presented

 Syracuse, NY – 450 members of the Downtown community - including property owners, businesses, residents and other stakeholders – convened in the Ballroom of The Oncenter (map) for the 2023 Annual Meeting Luncheon of the Downtown Committee of Syracuse, Inc. Presented in partnership with AmeriCU Credit Union, the Annual Meeting is a celebration of the people and projects that have contributed to Downtown’s growth, diversity and overall vibrancy.

In an exciting State of Downtown Report, Downtown Committee Executive Director Merike Treier highlighted the growth that Downtown Syracuse has experienced this past year, and offered a preview of the projects that our community can look forward to in the next year.

During the 2022-2023 fiscal year, 20 projects totaling more than $180 million in downtown investment created seven new Class A office headquarters (including four moves into downtown from outside the district); more than 135 new housing units; and enhanced public infrastructure and tourism amenities.

“We’ve seen another year of incredible levels of investment that have moved Downtown Syracuse forward and demonstrate the belief and commitment to our city center.” said Merike Treier, Executive Director of the Downtown Committee of Syracuse, Inc. “2023 reinforced Downtown’s role as a place where people can connect and come together. We’ve seen what happens when our community bands together with a collective voice and how this forward-thinking has paved the way for the active, vibrant, Downtown we know today.”

Downtown Awards of Excellence, sponsored by National Grid: Accomplishments were recognized as Ms. Treier presented the Downtown Awards of Excellence with Chairman of the Downtown Committee Board of Directors, Tony Fiorito. The following individuals and organizations were honored for their commitment to revitalization efforts throughout Downtown Syracuse:

• Urban Innovation Award: The Urban Innovation Award is given for a successful, trail-blazing activity in a previously undeveloped area or facet of Downtown Syracuse. A $37 million plan to redevelop the former Sibley's Department store has created City Center. The incredible vision, commitment and partnership of The Redhouse Arts Center and the Hayner Hoyt Corporation is why a project of this magnitude has come to fruition. Expanding and creating long term investments was the shared vision for this project, and with a roster of new downtown employers occupying the space, its future is strong.

• Heart of Downtown Award: The Heart of Downtown Award is given for efforts that positively affect and inform the way that people feel about Downtown Syracuse, and many times, our honorees are recognized for the way that they make people feel. The Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology (MOST) is built on a foundation of providing hands-on STEAM education throughout the community and to their visitors annually. With their extensive list of impactful community programs and their core values positively impacting Downtown Syracuse, they truly embody the essence of this award.

• Perfect Partner Award: The Perfect Partner Award is given to individuals and organizations whose initiatives, advocacy and commitment positively impact Downtown Syracuse. The Erie Canal Museum shares the history of Downtown Syracuse and the greater region while ensuring the stories of the canal continue into the future. The Erie Canal Museum is committed to new programs to engage the community and provide a comprehensive experience to their 20,000 visitors annually. Recently, they partnered with Talking Cursive Brewery for Beer, Bikes and Barges, a guided bike ride along the Empire State Trail that finishes at a local brewery, expanding the audience for downtown's many amenities.

Each of the Award Winners were highlighted in a video, produced by Daylight Blue Media. Links to the videos are provided at the Downtown Committee’s YouTube Page and will be shared across social media throughout the day as well.

The Downtown Committee Annual Meeting also receives corporate support from Pathfinder Bank, FustCharles, SWBR and Tompkins, and Media Support from the Central New York Business Journal. Please visit the Downtown Committee’s website to download a copy of the 2022-2023 Annual Report.

 About the Downtown Committee of Syracuse, Inc.

The Downtown Committee of Syracuse, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit, professional downtown management organization representing all property owners and tenants within the central business district.  The Downtown Committee undertakes programs to improve downtown's image, strengthen its economic base, increase its attractiveness, and assure that it's clean, safe, welcoming, inclusive and accessible. For more information, visit www.downtownsyracuse.com.

About AmeriCU Credit Union

AmeriCU Credit Union is a New York State Chartered credit union headquartered in Rome, New York, originally founded in 1950 as Griffiss Employees Credit Union. AmeriCU had more than 150,000 members and insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. They have 19 Financial Centers located throughout Central and Northern New York, and offer a complete line of financial services – including savings, consumer and real estate loans, credit cards, online banking, kiosk services, access to a nationwide CO-OP ATM network and more. https://www.americu.org/