Author Archives: Pacny Admin

The Preservation Association of Central New York (PACNY) supports the community grid option for the Interstate 81 viaduct project. This approach best aligns with the organization’s goal of retaining historic buildings and existing urban infrastructure that supports the long-term economic vitality of the city and region.

“PACNY advocates for the preservation and viable use of historic places,” says John Auwaerter, PACNY vice president. “The community grid provides an unprecedented opportunity to increase the viability of historic buildings, streets, and landscapes in our urban core. It is critical to reviving Syracuse’s historic, walkable neighborhoods that have been decimated by failed urban renewal programs and highway construction over the past 60 years.”

In discussing the project options, PACNY rejects the “ReBuild Viaduct Option,” which, because of faster federal highway design standards, would increase the size of the viaduct. It also would require the demolition of 24 additional properties, including at least 12 irreplaceable, historically significant buildings. It would also lead to adverse noise and other environmental impacts across a much broader area that includes many more historic properties, including Oakwood Cemetery. PACNY does not support demolition of historic buildings for highway projects in the city of Syracuse that would destroy our history and lower land values through the center of the urban core.

The planning recommendations of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) CNY I-81 Task Force, changing trends in Federal Highway Administration standards for the future of urban areas, and national Urban Planning and Design “best practices” standards all support the “Community Grid Option” as the best long-term planning option for Syracuse and the Central New York region.

In addition, the “Community Grid Option” comes with a call for the NYSDOT to return the land to the city of Syracuse for redevelopment once the elevated highway comes down. That would enable up to 20-plus acres of former DOT land to be returned to the city for redevelopment, increasing city land values, promoting long-term economic development and growth, improving pedestrian safety, reducing traffic speeds and congestion through urban areas—factors that all contribute to the future viability of Syracuse’s historic urban core. Read full resolution here. 

PASCNY was founded in 1977 and covers Madison, Onondaga, Oswego, Cortland, Cayuga and Oneida counties. The organization is dedicated to the preservation of the historic resources of Central New York that are essential to the cultural and economic well-being of the community. It works independently and in cooperation with other civic organizations and preservation groups to produce and disseminate information on the value of historic preservation throughout the CNY region.