The Daily Orange

Media Credit: Scott Peters [Click to enlarge]

New York state Gov. Eliot Spitzer wants to see more cranes.

To Spitzer, cranes are the supportive tool for improvement, renovation and renewal. And that's exactly what Syracuse needs.

"I am a firm believer that the more cranes, the more productivity," Spitzer said. "I see one, I see more down the road."

Spitzer visited the Martin J. Whitman School of Management Thursday to unveil his economic development plan for high-priority projects in the city of Syracuse. The agenda is part of the government's "City by City" platform to channel upstate New York toward an innovative economy.

The event, announced to the university community merely three days previous, caused students and faculty to question the important matter that brought the governor to Syracuse on such a whim.

Twenty million dollars is that important.

Spitzer announced that the state will provide $10 million in funding to jumpstart the Connective Corridor project, instituted by Chancellor Nancy Cantor, to connect campus to downtown Syracuse. The Central New York Assembly will pitch in an additional $10 million for a $20 million commitment.

"The Connective Corridor has been hailed all across the country as a visionary project and an outstanding example of a leading university making a mutually beneficial investment in its community," Spitzer said.

The government will financially sponsor a combination of new safety features, installation of public art and interactive media displays, green space for social gatherings and historical markers to attract visitors, Spitzer said.

The initial stages are projected to be completed by 2013.

Spitzer also introduced projects, totaling $31.4 million, for affordable housing for city residents on Salina Street and North Franklin Street, development of parking garages on site of the former Department of Public Safety Building and downtown redevelopment of small business.

"Let's face it, parking is a challenge," said Syracuse Mayor Matthew Driscoll after the event. When more than 500 parking spots are removed to accommodate new buildings, there has to be new places for vehicles. "It may not sound sexy, but it needs to happen."

All of the projects fit together, Spitzer said.

"These are not discrete efforts; rather, they are parts of a unified vision for the future of downtown," Spitzer said.

Strategy is key in fulfilling these projects.

"If we look back at the history of Syracuse, it is the history of a city that, for over 200 years, has consistently led the nation - not followed it - into new frontiers of commerce and trade," Spitzer said. "Today, the economy has undergone yet another transition."

This time around, economies of Syracuse, central and upstate New York as a whole have struggled to make the transition, Spitzer said.

"As New Yorkers, we have the capacity and ingenuity to solve any problem," Spitzer said.

The state legislature is taking a four-prong strategy to approach the problem. As part of this, government is reducing costs, buttressing thriving industries, strengthening infrastructure and revitalizing cities.

"As we address the macro-level issues on a statewide basis - like reducing the cost of doing business - we are also complementing that statewide strategy with a focused, regional approach," Spitzer said.

Syracuse has built up economic energy during the past few years with integral projects to recover the splendor of Armory Square, Franklin Square and the 800,000-square-foot expansion of the Carousel Center to develop Destiny USA.

"Our city-by-city projects will build upon this momentum by making critical investments in order to jumpstart priority projects," Spitzer said.

This is a major investment, Cantor said after the event. It will make downtown Syracuse into a neighborhood where art, design, engineering and finance all come together to create a cultured area, she said.

"Syracuse, our city and our region will be shining in the days ahead - that's a prediction that I'm quite confident to make because of the leadership in this state that understands the importance of creative investment in an innovation economy," Cantor said.

Spitzer's influence has boosted economies city by city. In Syracuse during the last three days, cell phone traffic has increased by 50 percent, since the city found out Spitzer was coming to town.

"When Governor Spitzer took office, he pledged that the revitalization of upstate would begin with the revitalization of its long-neglected urban centers," said Driscoll.

Spitzer communicated to the audience in a way that was relatable and inspirational, said junior Dave Brill.

"He didn't seem like the typical snubby politician," the management major said.

Driscoll said he has been able to connect with the people and has helped the community adapt to the challenges and strengthened infrastructure by lowering workers compensation rates by 20 percent and saving New York businesses about $1.2 billion annually.

"Today's strategic investments deliver on that vision and provide the city and our partners with vital funding for projects," Driscoll said. "I'm confident that we will accelerate revival from the lakefront through downtown up to the University Hill."

Most students have the same general confidence as Driscoll in the state's vision for Syracuse, though the priorities may be a bit askew.

"Syracuse is kind of hurting right now," said junior Francesca Tizzano, a management major. "I didn't understand why we aren't rebuilding downtown first. The money should go to rebuild, not to the connective passage."

Students already go downtown, said sophomore Manish Gupta. At this point, when Gupta and his friends travel downtown, they are turned off by the lack of attraction and safety, not the lack of transportation to get there.

"The ideas are all there but I think focusing on downtown is definitely more important than connecting students to the area," the management major said. "We should develop and focus on making downtown more appealing and attractive first."

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