City to host open houses for Roesler, Wislon park connection, I-81 projects
The city of Syracuse will host two open houses Nov. 12–13 for its Reconnecting Communities project, which aims to improve safety and connectivity in areas divided by I-81. Residents can share feedback on new street designs at the public events. Meghan Hendricks | Senior Staff Photographer
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The city of Syracuse is hosting two open house sessions on Wednesday and Thursday for its Reconnecting Communities Planning project’s proposed linear park connecting Roesler and Wilson parks. The park aims to improve connectivity among areas divided by the Interstate 81 viaduct.
Residents can review and provide feedback on street design changes that improve safety, walking and biking accessibility along the five streets that run perpendicular to the viaduct – Colvin Street, Taylor Street, Dr. Martin Luther King, Adams Street and Harrison streets, syracuse.com reported.
Community input is “essential” for everyone to enjoy the benefits of the Community Grid transformation, Joe Driscoll, I-81 project director, said in a news release.
Under the United States Department of Transportation, the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program was created to improve community-centered projects. The $500,00 grant was awarded to the city to address inequalities and create connections between the Southside and Eastside of the city.
The project will be completed by January 2026.
The program works alongside Project I-81 by studying effective methods that help community residents and “enhance” five corridors, according to syr.gov.
Through the grant, Canada-based design consultant Stantec Consulting Services Inc., will assess “connectivity issues” and craft solutions for Syracuse’s Southside as the I-81 viaduct cuts access to jobs, education and healthcare, according to syr.gov.
“It will help us design safer, more connected streets and create new opportunities for residents in every corner of Syracuse,” Driscoll said in the release.
Both open houses are from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
On Wednesday, the event will take place upstairs at the Beauchamp Branch Library. Thursday’s open house will be in the main event space at Pioneer Homes Coffee House.
Alongside sharing feedback on street designs, attendees can participate in a “street-mix” activity to illustrate what they would like to see in the future, the news release stated.
“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape how people move through and experience our city,” Driscoll said in the release. “That is why community input at this stage is not just valuable; it is essential.”
