Development in and Around Syracuse Discussion

[Fly Rodder]

There must be a reason that Albany's had no pro baseball at this level for decades. I don't know what that is.

Probably because of the development & political grifters that want their share of the pie.

Having a AAA team in Syracuse has to be one of the more inexpensive locations.

I don't know how the economics all shake out, but the baseball games are decent enough to attend and I do like the ample parking as a suburbanite. That said, they really dropped the ball by putting the stadium way the heck out there and not downtown in the Kennedy Square location.

 

[sutomcat]

There must be a reason that Albany's had no pro baseball at this level for decades. I don't know what that is.

But if the Mets commission a study that shows they could get 6,500 people a night at a higher price point there than in Syracuse, they will be out of here.

Albany has always been an awful sports town and I suspect most of the big money there is out of town most of the summer, which probably accounts for their current status regarding pro baseball. I am not worried about that city stealing the Chiefs.

But your point stands. If the Mets think they can make more money elsewhere, they will probably leave Syracuse, even if it is really well located. I assume we as a city have until the lease expired in the mid 2020s to prove we deserve AAA baseball. I hope we can do it.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Albany had the Yankees AA team in the 90’s when all their best prospects were coming up(Pettite/Posada/Jeter/Rivera) and they still couldn’t draw.

 

[shandeezy7]

Albany had the Yankees double AA team in the 90’s when all their best prospects were coming up(Pettite/Posada/Jeter/Rivera) and they still couldn’t draw.

They also lost their AHL team recently, so there must be some issue there that makes it not a good pro sports city.

 

[OttoMets]

Albany has always been an awful sports town and I suspect most of the big money there is out of town most of the summer, which probably accounts for their current status regarding pro baseball. I am not worried about that city stealing the Chiefs.

But your point stands. If the Mets think they can make more money elsewhere, they will probably leave Syracuse, even if it is really well located. I assume we as a city have until the lease expired in the mid 2020s to prove we deserve AAA baseball. I hope we can do it.

Very good point.

 

[shandeezy7]

Joanie Mahoney talks I-81 with Cuomo at NYS Fair; says she likes tunnel idea

:vomit:

 

[OttoMets]

Joanie Mahoney talks I-81 with Cuomo at NYS Fair; says she likes tunnel idea

:vomit:

She knows better. What a contemptible individual she is.

And what a dope Cuomo sounds like. Infrastructure? Building a completely unnecessary expo hall to compete with the empty and publicly subsidized OCC arena, which competes with the empty and publicly subsidized OnCenter? This is how we make Upstate a better place, with a cheap shed that doesn't even match the existing architecture? Ugh.

 

[shandeezy7]

She knows better. What a contemptible individual she is.

And what a dope Cuomo sounds like. Infrastructure? Building a completely unnecessary expo hall to compete with the empty and publicly subsidized OCC arena, which competes with the empty and publicly subsidized OnCenter? This is how we make Upstate a better place, with a cheap shed that doesn't even match the existing architecture? Ugh.

Haha yeah I literally laughed out loud at that comment. What in the actual heck is he talking about?

 

[TexanMark]

Joanie spearheaded the Amphitheater when the Mayor turned off the stadium. Sounds like the Amphitheater has been a nice addition.

The big barn at the State Fair seats about 4000 right? I see it getting used. OCC is a horrible location.

 

[shandeezy7]

Joanie spearheaded the Amphitheater when the Mayor turned off the stadium. Sounds like the Amphitheater has been a nice addition.

The big barn at the State Fair seats about 4000 right? I see it getting used. OCC is a horrible location.

Yeah, the OCC arena was a serious misuse of taxpayer money, IMO. Where was the demand for something like that in that location? How did it possibly make sense for the county to create a facility that directly competes with another facility that it owns? I could see there being some value added with the new expo center at the fairgrounds, but I'm not sure how much.

 

[OttoMets]

Joanie spearheaded the Amphitheater when the Mayor turned off the stadium. Sounds like the Amphitheater has been a nice addition.

The big barn at the State Fair seats about 4000 right? I see it getting used. OCC is a horrible location.

Agree about OCC.

The common theme among these Mahoney/Cuomo projects is lack of planning. The Amphitheater's pretty, and it's improved the big concert scene in Onondaga County by, I dunno, infinity percent.

But they're never gonna solve the access problems because they dropped a 17,000-seat venue on a peninsula where people can only reach it through one gate. And they wrecked a nice new public park to build it. (The West Shore Trail is cut off by the venue and the county allows the promoter to totally shut it down for big windows of time around shows.)

These two go for the quick big splash over doing things the right way.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Yeah, the OCC arena was a serious misuse of taxpayer money, IMO. Where was the demand for something like that in that location? How did it possibly make sense for the county to create a facility that directly competes with another facility that it owns? I could see there being some value added with the new expo center at the fairgrounds, but I'm not sure how much.

If OCC had a hockey team, it might make more sense. I believe it is also the new home of high school indoor track meets in CNY.

 

[OttoMets]

If OCC had a hockey team, it might make more sense. I believe it is also the new home of high school indoor track meets in CNY.

It does help pick up the indoor track void created when SU gutted Manley a few years ago.

Speaking of an institution with horrendous planning...

 

[Shrmdougluvr]

Albany has always been an awful sports town and I suspect most of the big money there is out of town most of the summer, which probably accounts for their current status regarding pro baseball. I am not worried about that city stealing the Chiefs.

But your point stands. If the Mets think they can make more money elsewhere, they will probably leave Syracuse, even if it is really well located. I assume we as a city have until the lease expired in the mid 2020s to prove we deserve AAA baseball. I hope we can do it.

Albany had the Yankees AA team in the 90’s when all their best prospects were coming up(Pettite/Posada/Jeter/Rivera) and they still couldn’t draw.

They also lost their AHL team recently, so there must be some issue there that makes it not a good pro sports city.

I think AHL hockey is harmed here by a lot of factors- general indifference about the sport; lack of connection to the parent organization; arena being overly large causing an empty/not-happening vibe, etc. Frankly, Albany doesnt deserve an AHL franchise. Nearby Glens Falls probably does though, but i digress.

The Capital District has a short-season A baseball team affiliated with the Houston Astros, and draws about the same per game as Syracuse. FWIW, the stadium is outside of Troy, on the campus of a local community college, not in proximity to any downtown, and an area where many native Albanians would not be caught-dead going. That should provide some pause for the relocating-the-stadium crowd. My guess is an affiliation with the Mets would bring about 1000-1500 or more fans per game.

Albany did just start its second stab at arena football and drew about 9600 fans per game, which i understand is respectable.

All-in-all, i dont see the area making a play for the Mets.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Went to the fair last night. The Expo center is a beautiful and massive building. Hope they get some use out of it.

 

[kirbivore]

Agree about OCC.

The common theme among these Mahoney/Cuomo projects is lack of planning. The Amphitheater's pretty, and it's improved the big concert scene in Onondaga County by, I dunno, infinity percent.

But they're never gonna solve the access problems because they dropped a 17,000-seat venue on a peninsula where people can only reach it through one gate. And they wrecked a nice new public park to build it. (The West Shore Trail is cut off by the venue and the county allows the promoter to totally shut it down for big windows of time around shows.)

These two go for the quick big splash over doing things the right way.

which is why their stadium would've been a disaster

 

[xc84]

which is why their stadium would've been a disaster

I really don't think the Amphitheater has been a disaster. I think it is in a good spot and while there have been some traffic issues (1) things will be improved as they learn and (2) traffic issues exist in every venue. Go to SPAC for a really popular concert but better go early.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

I really don't think the Amphitheater has been a disaster. I think it is in a good spot and while there have been some traffic issues (1) things will be improved as they learn and (2) traffic issues exist in every venue. Go to SPAC for a really popular concert but better go early.

Can you imagine leaving the Dome after a basketball game, and they have only ONE gate open? 15-20,000 people all being funneled through one access point.

That's the Amp before and after a concert.

 

[Jake]

As someone who grew up on the shores of Onondaga Lake, I'm thrilled it's being used, even if it's just as a backdrop for a picturesque amphitheater. As far as getting and getting out, it's easy if you plan ahead..and it sure beats a 2 hour drive home from spac or cmac.

It's been a tremendous addition to the community.

 

[maxxyz]

As someone who grew up on the shores of Onondaga Lake, I'm thrilled it's being used, even if it's just as a backdrop for a picturesque amphitheater. As far as getting and getting out, it's easy if you plan ahead..and it sure beats a 2 hour drive home from spac or cmac.

It's been a tremendous addition to the community.

And its no quicker to park at CMAC or SPAC. Nor easier to exit after a concert.

 

[xc84]

And its no quicker to park at CMAC or SPAC. Nor easier to exit after a concert.

Exactly. SPAC has no main roads to it.

 

[Cuseregular]

As someone who grew up on the shores of Onondaga Lake, I'm thrilled it's being used, even if it's just as a backdrop for a picturesque amphitheater. As far as getting and getting out, it's easy if you plan ahead..and it sure beats a 2 hour drive home from spac or cmac.

It's been a tremendous addition to the community.

Can you imagine leaving the Dome after a basketball game, and they have only ONE gate open? 15-20,000 people all being funneled through one access point.

That's the Amp before and after a concert.

Been to many concerts there now and I can say with certainty it's the best outdoor concert venue I've ever seen or went to show at.

And that includes the Red Rocks amp in Colorado that I literally just got back from a show at last Thursday. Best sound and acoustics, nicest setting right there on the water and a sunset to marvel at on a clear night. Every time I go I have to pinch myself and remind myself I'm in Syracuse.

They've worked out most kinks up there, the pre show tailgating is a hoot, and if you pony up a few extra bucks for premier parking you're in and out very quickly no wait, and park right in front no problems no issues.

Now that it's done paved etc. it should be all systems go. No one should hesitate to see a show there.

 

[zjscuse]

Can anyone for the life of me explain why the state didnt pony up with the crunch and turn that shiny new expo center inside the fair there new venue.. while i relize the war memorial has history, its a lost cause. You could actually tailgate before a game and enjoy a great new venue .. they couldve easily planned an awesome experience in that building.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Can anyone for the life of me explain why the state didnt pony up with the crunch and turn that shiny new expo center inside the fair there new venue.. while i relize the war memorial has history, its a lost cause. You could actually tailgate before a game and enjoy a great new venue .. they couldve easily planned an awesome experience in that building.

The Crunch's lease with the County doesn't expire until either 2025 or 2030.

 

[maxxyz]

Can anyone for the life of me explain why the state didnt pony up with the crunch and turn that shiny new expo center inside the fair there new venue.. while i relize the war memorial has history, its a lost cause. You could actually tailgate before a game and enjoy a great new venue .. they couldve easily planned an awesome experience in that building.

Having a hockey venue at the fairgrounds has zero benefit to the area, which is why cities have sports teams. With a downtown venue, you have 2000-4000 people attending, with a percentage hitting up downtown bars & restaurants before and after. At the fairgrounds people get into their vehicles and head home.