Syracuse Common Council approves Elite Gaming agreement, 2026 operations
The Syracuse Common Council approved legislation for 2026 at its meeting Monday. Resolutions include an agreement with Elite Gaming to provide video games to community centers, reappropriating distressed properties and new copyright music laws. Meghan Hendricks | Daily Orange File Photo
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The Syracuse Common Council passed an agreement with Elite Gaming and other ordinances and grants pertaining to the city’s next year of operation at its regular Monday meeting.
The resolution will provide instructional electronic sports video games at Wilson Park and Southwest Community Centers. The instruction and staffing will be provided by Elite Gaming and offered after school from Jan. 20 to June 30, according to the meeting agenda.
Elite Gaming is an esports venue and organization founded in 2018 that aims to provide inclusive play within the Syracuse community, according to its website.
Additionally, the council approved a $13,750 budget that includes 48 total hours of esports instruction, covering staff, program design and video games for children of all ages with support from the Department of Parks, Recreation & Youth Programs. Councilor Hanah Ehrenreich, in her first meeting with the council, urged the adoption of the resolution.
A number of property transfers were completed as the city sold five vacant lots, each for $1, and a sixth lot on Kennedy Street for $326 to the Greater Syracuse Land Bank.
The Greater Syracuse Land Bank was established in 2012 in partnership with Onondaga County and New York state with the objective of repairing vacant or distressed properties for renewed use. The Land Bank aims to make use of the 1,800 vacant lots within city limits.
Councilors passed a $2,000 license agreement with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers for the use of copyrighted music at public parks and city property.
In line with this decision, councilors presented a similar agreement with the Society of European Stage Authors and Composers to grant access to copyrighted music on city property.
Ehrenreich withheld two ordinances that sought to provide funding for the reconstruction of stairs located at 730 Euclid Ave. near Westminster Park.
The stairs have been closed off for access, according to the meeting’s agenda. The project’s request for $1.7 million was tabled for further discussion.
Other Business:
- Councilors passed an agreement with Crouse Hospital, which allocates funds for employees of the Syracuse Fire Department to receive counseling and other mental health services.
- The Council allocated funds for the improvement and replacement of the Emergency Signal Preemption Program and renewed its contract with Miovision Technologies Inc. for the next five years.
