Development in and Around Syracuse Discussion

[OttoMets]

It's my least favorite building in downtown Syracuse. Brutalist architecture can be appealing, if done. right. This building was an architectural atrocity, and even though I'm not a huge fan of the redesign, it's much better than what's there now.

Even I applaud this, because it's a dead block and desperately needs 24 more sets of eyes on the street and potential patrons of XO Taco, the Fish Friar, and anything in between.

Now the ground floor parking arrangement sucks. It's terrible.

But the two obstacles for getting this building renovated have been asbestos and lack of parking. The first got cured at great expense about four years ago. Nobody's been able to tackle the parking. If the Landmark Preservation Board can sign off on a plan that preserves a safe sidewalk and keeps cars away from pedestrians and maintains some commercial storefront space, I'm supportive.

 

[bevosu]

More development in Syracuse turning old building into 24 apartments

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — A long-time vacant building in Downtown Syracuse, next to Firefighters Park, is finally going to be full again. Courtesy of Icon Companies Icon Companies, which is …

www.localsyr.com

They're saying Townsend and East Fayette , but it's Townsend and East Genesee.

 

[justgold315]

Even I applaud this, because it's a dead block and desperately needs 24 more sets of eyes on the street and potential patrons of XO Taco, the Fish Friar, and anything in between.

Now the ground floor parking arrangement sucks. It's terrible.

But the two obstacles for getting this building renovated have been asbestos and lack of parking. The first got cured at great expense about four years ago. Nobody's been able to tackle the parking. If the Landmark Preservation Board can sign off on a plan that preserves a safe sidewalk and keeps cars away from pedestrians and maintains some commercial storefront space, I'm supportive.

How is XO Taco?

 

[OttoMets]

How is XO Taco?

Overpriced, way too hip, but kind of good if you go in with those expectations. A couple of their tacos are solid and oddly the cheeseburger is one of the best around.

 

[justgold315]

Overpriced, way too hip, but kind of good if you go in with those expectations. A couple of their tacos are solid and oddly the cheeseburger is one of the best around.

Nice, I never know with some of the newer places. I usually go in with low expectations

 

[Trueblue25]

Walsh is doing great things

 

[OttoMets]

Washington, D.C., developer to buy landmark M&T Bank building in downtown Syracuse

Douglas Jemal plans to create a mix of apartments and retail space in the building built in the late 1890s for the Onondaga County Savings Bank.

www.syracuse.com

Very interesting. We did some work with Jemal years ago; he's got an interesting history but generally has a good track record.

I never expected the building to sell this quickly.

 

[KellySyracuse]

While we're talking about food I stopped by Ponchito's on the corner of Geddes and Fayette last Thursday. It's a nice space to get a quick bite and the bar has a decent selection of local beers. I had a taco medley - pork, steak and chicken, food was reasonably priced and tasty. I recommend, especially if you're going to bring kids with you.

Also went to Mello Velo for the first time a few months ago, didn't eat but the food coming out of the kitchen looked pretty good. They too have a good bar atmosphere with solid brew selection. They use an old Library dewey decimal card cabinet to store tableware. I'll be going back probably this week to check out their food.

 

[OttoMets]

While we're talking about food I stopped by Ponchito's on the corner of Geddes and Fayette last Thursday. It's a nice space to get a quick bite and the bar has a decent selection of local beers. I had a taco medley - pork, steak and chicken, food was reasonably priced and tasty. I recommend, especially if you're going to bring kids with you.

Also went to Mello Velo for the first time a few months ago, didn't eat but the food coming out of the kitchen looked pretty good. They too have a good bar atmosphere with solid brew selection. They use an old Library dewey decimal card cabinet to store tableware. I'll be going back probably this week to check out their food.

I like the new Ponchito's (if anything, this location has more turnover and fresher product), but they're perpetuating a grievous wrong along with some others in the industry: they're stating cash-only prices on the menu and then upcharging at the register.

Mello Velo is great. Good beer, good food.

 

[Fly Rodder]

Is that the same Ponchito's that's out by Carrier Circle?

 

[Trueblue25]

While we're talking about food I stopped by Ponchito's on the corner of Geddes and Fayette last Thursday. It's a nice space to get a quick bite and the bar has a decent selection of local beers. I had a taco medley - pork, steak and chicken, food was reasonably priced and tasty. I recommend, especially if you're going to bring kids with you.

Also went to Mello Velo for the first time a few months ago, didn't eat but the food coming out of the kitchen looked pretty good. They too have a good bar atmosphere with solid brew selection. They use an old Library dewey decimal card cabinet to store tableware. I'll be going back probably this week to check out their food.

Ponchito’s is a hell of a bang for your buck, you’re getting like 3-5 lb of food for $8

 

[OttoMets]

Ponchito’s is a hell of a bang for your buck, you’re getting like 3-5 lb of food for $8

I do get a kick of the "is this a single burrito or is this three days' worth of groceries?" sensation when they hand you the paper bag.

 

[KellySyracuse]

I like the new Ponchito's (if anything, this location has more turnover and fresher product), but they're perpetuating a grievous wrong along with some others in the industry: they're stating cash-only prices on the menu and then upcharging at the register.

Mello Velo is great. Good beer, good food.

Ah yes, my brother picked up the tab and he did mention that. Agree, it's such a bad look for a small amount of money it's idiotic to not build the cost into the menu items. I also have an issue with places that charge their servers the credit card charges on their tips, I always try to tip in cash for that reason. Joey's, I'm looking at you. Not sure if they still do it but they used to.

 

[KellySyracuse]

Is that the same Ponchito's that's out by Carrier Circle?

the original location is on New Court Rd between Lyncourt and Eastwood, not sure if there is one near Carrier Circle

 

[Fly Rodder]

the original location is on New Court Rd between Lyncourt and Eastwood, not sure if there is one near Carrier Circle

Yeah, that's the one I used to go to. I mean, it's closer to Carrier Circle than downtown.

 

[shandeezy7]

While we're talking about food I stopped by Ponchito's on the corner of Geddes and Fayette last Thursday. It's a nice space to get a quick bite and the bar has a decent selection of local beers. I had a taco medley - pork, steak and chicken, food was reasonably priced and tasty. I recommend, especially if you're going to bring kids with you.

Also went to Mello Velo for the first time a few months ago, didn't eat but the food coming out of the kitchen looked pretty good. They too have a good bar atmosphere with solid brew selection. They use an old Library dewey decimal card cabinet to store tableware. I'll be going back probably this week to check out their food.

Had brunch at Mello Velo on Sunday. It was excellent. Three different eggs benedict options and they all looked amazing. I went with the classic with bacon and it was very good. I had grabbed a latte from there a month or so ago and that was also really good. I'd definitely recommend it.

 

[shandeezy7]

Washington, D.C., developer to buy landmark M&T Bank building in downtown Syracuse

Douglas Jemal plans to create a mix of apartments and retail space in the building built in the late 1890s for the Onondaga County Savings Bank.

www.syracuse.com

Very interesting. We did some work with Jemal years ago; he's got an interesting history but generally has a good track record.

I never expected the building to sell this quickly.

He's done a couple of big projects in Buffalo. Seems like a developer that can at least be reliable to get things done. He's currently redeveloping the former HSBC Tower in Buffalo, which has been mostly vacant for years. A massive project that appears - from my outside eye, at least - to be humming along.

 

[KellySyracuse]

If this gets completed it will be Ben Walsh's biggest achievement, his crown jewel. Unless he get something done with Mitzpah Tower's.

Stephanie Miner had her's by getting city rights to manage the Inner Harbor development and reclaiming the Hotel Syracuse. Mayor Tom Young cleaned up the streets, paving the way to Armory Square.

I'm having a hard time coming up with anything that Matt Driscoll did although I'm sure there is something.

 

[Trueblue25]

Brian’s Landing opening up a Dewitt location.

The original’s overlooking Green Lakes in the park, best date location around Fayetteville/Dewitt imo.

 

[Fly Rodder]

Brian’s Landing opening up a Dewitt location.

The original’s overlooking Green Lakes in the park, best date location around Fayetteville/Dewitt imo.

I haven't been very impressed with the food or service there - seems hotel-y. Just not my thing maybe. The view and space are outstanding and that's the money maker.

 

[KellySyracuse]

I wonder if the conversation to change the Parkway recently has anything to do with this?

Construction will begin on Onondaga Lake Lounge this summer, after years of delay

By the end of 2020 the Western Shore trail will connect with the Onondaga Creekwalk

www.syracuse.com

"By the end of 2020, pedestrians will be able to walk from the Inner Harbor to the New York State Fairgrounds and all the way to Liverpool, around the northern tip of the lake.

The last unfinished piece of the Loop the Lake trail is a two-mile stretch along the Onondaga Lake Parkway. Glazer said the county is working on designs for a trail there. The New York State Department of Transportation is also considering options for altering the parkway. The trail project will likely be included as part of the overall parkway redesign."

 

[OttoMets]

I wonder if the conversation to change the Parkway recently has anything to do with this?

Construction will begin on Onondaga Lake Lounge this summer, after years of delay

By the end of 2020 the Western Shore trail will connect with the Onondaga Creekwalk

www.syracuse.com

"By the end of 2020, pedestrians will be able to walk from the Inner Harbor to the New York State Fairgrounds and all the way to Liverpool, around the northern tip of the lake.

The last unfinished piece of the Loop the Lake trail is a two-mile stretch along the Onondaga Lake Parkway. Glazer said the county is working on designs for a trail there. The New York State Department of Transportation is also considering options for altering the parkway. The trail project will likely be included as part of the overall parkway redesign."

I think it was just a change in funding priorities. It was funded like three years ago (I'm sure it was during the Miner administration), they claimed that at least while showing nice renderings and trying to smooth over relations with people who were upset that they were closing that end of the Creekwalk for an extended period. But the Creekwalk stayed closed and nobody did any work.

Last I was up there was maybe two or three months ago; the gate under the CSX bridge was locked, but someone had vandalized the rest of the fence and it looked like the Creekwalk terminus was accessible and untouched, no construction activity of any kind.

The county is run by political hacks; they're mangling every bit of the lake loop. Hopefully this turns out better.

 

[KellySyracuse]

...

The county is run by political hacks; they're mangling every bit of the lake loop. Hopefully this turns out better.

agree with that! Have you heard anything about the Roth Steel yard? Is that finally cleaned up?

 

[Noexcuse]

While we're talking about food I stopped by Ponchito's on the corner of Geddes and Fayette last Thursday. It's a nice space to get a quick bite and the bar has a decent selection of local beers. I had a taco medley - pork, steak and chicken, food was reasonably priced and tasty. I recommend, especially if you're going to bring kids with you.

Also went to Mello Velo for the first time a few months ago, didn't eat but the food coming out of the kitchen looked pretty good. They too have a good bar atmosphere with solid brew selection. They use an old Library dewey decimal card cabinet to store tableware. I'll be going back probably this week to check out their food.

Melo Velo is definitely worth a try. I agree, they serve great food and have a nice beer selection. If they can hold on they are well situated location wise for the City extension of the Erie Canal trail that is going to connect the Camillus and Dewitt portions of the trail.

 

[Fly Rodder]

Melo Velo is definitely worth a try. I agree, they serve great food and have a nice beer selection. If they can hold on they are well situated location wise for the City extension of the Erie Canal trail that is going to connect the Camillus and Dewitt portions of the trail.

Hopefully that's something that gets done in my lifetime.