Development in and Around Syracuse Discussion

[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.

 

[shandeezy7]

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

Since it's a NYS project and knowing Cuomo, it will most likely get done. Now, whether or not it gets done right is another question.

 

[KellySyracuse]

I saw this on Syracuse.com a few weeks ago, I'm seriously considering it for next year. I figured I'd join a biking group through Fleet Feet first before attempting to ride 50 miles per day for 9 days. In the description it says that it's easy enough for any age to complete the trek, I can't imagine the chafing though if you're not used to sitting on a bike seat for 8 hours a day.

Parks & Trails New York :: Cycle the Erie Canal

Join cyclists from across the country and around the world for the annual Cycle the Erie Canal bike tour. Enjoy beautiful scenery, fascinating history, and a one-of-a-kind cycling experience on this fully supported ride across New York between Buffalo and Albany. Along the way, learn about the...

www.ptny.org

"More than 650 cyclists will leave their cars behind in Buffalo on July 12 to pedal along the historic Erie Canalway Trail to Albany in celebration of the Erie Canal Bicentennial as part of Parks & Trails New York’s 22nd annual Cycle the Erie Canal bike tour.

The 400-mile journey along the legendary Erie Canal ends in Albany on July 19. Along the way, cyclists will enjoy some of the finest scenery, most interesting history, and unparalleled cycling in the northeastern United States.

Covering between 40 and 60 miles per day, cyclists travel along the Erie Canalway Trail, which is now over 80 percent complete and will by the end of 2020 be a part of the statewide 750-mile Empire State Trail."

 

[Noexcuse]

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

Not sure, but it appears they started construction of the pedestrian causeway over 690 at the Dewitt terminus of the trail. The construction is right near where Kinne Road crosses 690.

 

[shandeezy7]

Not sure, but it appears they started construction of the pedestrian causeway over 690 at the Dewitt terminus of the trail. The construction is right near where Kinne Road crosses 690.

Do you mean 481? I didn't realize they were building a separate pedestrian bridge there. So it's adjacent to the Kinne Road bridge?

 

[Noexcuse]

Do you mean 481? I didn't realize they were building a separate pedestrian bridge there. So it's adjacent to the Kinne Road bridge?

Yes, 481. That was in the original plan that was proposed about a year ago. Some sort of construction is happening there at Towpath Rd.