Development in and Around Syracuse Discussion

[KellySyracuse]

From the description I saw, yeah. Not sure they've consulted with a design professional on that idea.

they should also consult with a plumber to see if they can fix their sewage issue down there

 

[IthacaMatt]

From the description I saw, yeah. Not sure they've consulted with a design professional on that idea.

You'd have to be an idiot to rent a portion of that space.

P.S. - The lawyer who did Empire's last lease was an idiot. He let his client sign a lease that reportedly tripled the previous rent. I know both of them. The lawyer is smart about some topics, but commercial real estate is apparently not one of them.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Can't find the Empire Brewery post from a few months ago, but the building owner is back with a redevelopment plan: the Empire space will be carved up into multiple tenant storefronts and the vacant upper-floor office space will be converted to 30 apartments.

I'm surprised (yet not surprised, given the owner's rep) that they've got such a vacancy problem. I used to work in the building; that's solid Class B office space with an industrial loft vibe and great views. The market is soft, but I'm guessing they didn't put a ton of energy into leasing that space up as it emptied out.

I hope the Armory neighborhood isn't becoming too imbalanced with residential conversions. The mixed-use atmosphere has long been a point in its favor.

A lot of businesses downtown are in trouble right now.
I know of a tenant who leased a storefront downtown that has had a terrible time keeping tenants, and what they had to do was waive any CAM. The owner is bearing all the operating expenses; it's just a flat rent. You NEVER see that in commercial spaces, and the rent was very reasonable, below market, with 3% annual increases.

 

[OttoMets]

A lot of businesses downtown are in trouble right now.
I know of a tenant who leased a storefront downtown that has had a terrible time keeping tenants, and what they had to do was waive any CAM. The owner is bearing all the operating expenses; it's just a flat rent. You NEVER see that in commercial spaces, and the rent was very reasonable, below market, with 3% annual increases.

Yes, I'm concerned that if customers don't come roaring back in the next couple quarters, 2022's going to be a bloodbath.

 

[Cheriehoop]

Yes, I'm concerned that if customers don't come roaring back in the next couple quarters, 2022's going to be a bloodbath.

Lots of people like to flock to new things vs OBG establishments to change things up. The Salt City Market etc is probably diverting downtown customers away from Armory etc and older more familiar establishments especially with more people working remotely and away from downtown employers.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Yes, I'm concerned that if customers don't come roaring back in the next couple quarters, 2022's going to be a bloodbath.

Downtown's problems are made worse by the dynamics in people who have experienced working remotely not wanting to be forced back into the office. Part-time, sure, but those details are all being worked out. Companies are considering smaller offices, etc. Landlords have to be nervous.

Commercial real estate prices are about to collapse. I drove by the big strip mall you see on the way to the airport on 81 North last night, just past Northern Lights. Damn near every store was empty. Destiny is in trouble financially.

The whole Downtown economy is at risk right now, regardless of the inflationary "magic" the real estate brokers have woven with the prices that desperate people coming out of the pandemic are paying for suburban homes right now.

That ain't happening Downtown, nor is it happening for the commercial real estate market in general right now. If I was an urban planner, I would be researching alternative government / quasi-government / medical services / public uses for shopping mall space.

You can't just let these assets rot in the hands of people like Moonbeam, who are nothing but speculators in a down market. Cities have to be more aggressive about using eminent domain to recapture the tax delinquent "lost" shopping malls, and turn them into productive uses so the asset isn't destroyed. Get something out of the bad situation.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Lots of people like to flock to new things vs OBG establishments to change things up. The Salt City Market etc is probably diverting downtown customers away from Armory etc and older more familiar establishments especially with more people working remotely and away from downtown employers.

I'm glad to see Salt City Market doing well, but I am not hopeful for that grocery store. Too much of their stock is perishable compared to the amount of foot traffic. There are already a couple other "dry goods / frozen foods" kind of grocery stores within walking distance of other Downtown apartment buildings. I don't think any of them are doing that great right now.

I think they are all hoping for "The Great Comeback" in the late summer, but some of those Downtown workers probably - almost certainly - will be spending fewer hours Downtown as things do continue to reopen. That affects everyone.

 

[JeremyCuse]

I'm glad to see Salt City Market doing well, but I am not hopeful for that grocery store. Too much of their stock is perishable compared to the amount of foot traffic. There are already a couple other "dry goods / frozen foods" kind of grocery stores within walking distance of other Downtown apartment buildings. I don't think any of them are doing that great right now.

I think they are all hoping for "The Great Comeback" in the late summer, but some of those Downtown workers probably - almost certainly - will be spending fewer hours Downtown as things do continue to reopen. That affects everyone.

Grocery stores have been the unsolvable mystery for Downtown. Everytime one finally pops up it lasts a few years at best and then inevitably folds. I don't think its any coincidence that none of the big names or even smaller chain types will touch the place. I think Armory itself will be mostly OK but some of the other areas are definitely in trouble. Recess hasn't re-opened its location next to Wolffs Beer Garden and the old J Ryans is still as empty as ever. Salt City and its future is fascinating to me. Still seems to be doing good for now but as I posted previously, history is definitely against it long term.

 

[OttoMets]

Grocery stores have been the unsolvable mystery for Downtown. Everytime one finally pops up it lasts a few years at best and then inevitably folds. I don't think its any coincidence that none of the big names or even smaller chain types will touch the place. I think Armory itself will be mostly OK but some of the other areas are definitely in trouble. Recess hasn't re-opened its location next to Wolffs Beer Garden and the old J Ryans is still as empty as ever. Salt City and its future is fascinating to me. Still seems to be doing good for now but as I posted previously, history is definitely against it long term.

Did Recess change weekend hours maybe? They're as open as ever on weekday mornings when I need to blindly stagger in there for some cold brew, and I see colleagues coming back with cups until about 3 in the afternoon.

Stay tuned on J. Ryan's.

 

[JeremyCuse]

Did Recess change weekend hours maybe? They're as open as ever on weekday mornings when I need to blindly stagger in there for some cold brew, and I see colleagues coming back with cups until about 3 in the afternoon.

Stay tuned on J. Ryan's.

Yes I think your right, weekend hours were changed. Wife and I loved goign down to that one on Sat or Sun mornings even with the new Tip Hill location. However, ive tried at least a half dozen times and its been closed every time. Rise N Grind in Fairmount/Camillus is always a nice stop and we usually go to Freedom of Espresso in Franklin Square when we walk the dogs but there coffee can be hit or miss sometimes.

Hoping a similar place takes over for Jryans, used to be a fantastic place to go before all the turmoil.

 

[OttoMets]

Yes I think your right, weekend hours were changed. Wife and I loved goign down to that one on Sat or Sun mornings even with the new Tip Hill location. However, ive tried at least a half dozen times and its been closed every time. Rise N Grind in Fairmount/Camillus is always a nice stop and we usually go to Freedom of Espresso in Franklin Square when we walk the dogs but there coffee can be hit or miss sometimes.

Hoping a similar place takes over for Jryans, used to be a fantastic place to go before all the turmoil.

It's one of my very favorite bars of all time. Just perfect. Except for the jukebox. Which for you was probably perfect.

How's that new Ulster Street Recess location? Gotta be popular up there.

 

[shandeezy7]

It's one of my very favorite bars of all time. Just perfect. Except for the jukebox. Which for you was probably perfect.

How's that new Ulster Street Recess location? Gotta be popular up there.

Have you been to The Cracked Bean in Eastwood? Curious how that is.

 

[OttoMets]

Have you been to The Cracked Bean in Eastwood? Curious how that is.

This is the new place in the Palace Theater? One of my coworkers likes it a lot; I haven't been. But I'm bullish on the scene in Eastwood, it's not even close to there yet, but there's some interesting stuff in the pipeline.

 

[shandeezy7]

This is the new place in the Palace Theater? One of my coworkers likes it a lot; I haven't been. But I'm bullish on the scene in Eastwood, it's not even close to there yet, but there's some interesting stuff in the pipeline.

That's the place. Yeah I agree about the potential there. I just saw yesterday that the old James Street School/American Legion Post 1276 is being converted into residential space. If done right, it could provide some vibrancy to the neighborhood. Perhaps something similar to this recent conversion in Buffalo:

The Cornelius

The Cornelius

corneliusbuffalo.com

 

[JeremyCuse]

It's one of my very favorite bars of all time. Just perfect. Except for the jukebox. Which for you was probably perfect.

How's that new Ulster Street Recess location? Gotta be popular up there.

LOL, the the jukebox could be hit or miss depending on whether lincolncuse was pumped after an SU win and playing the greatest unknown hits of the 80s.

They did a nice job with the Ulster location we have been there a few times but I find myself forgetting about it a lot. I think because of COVID it was open for only a short time and then closed again for a while. Recess makes a great latte, wife is a huge fan.

 

[JeremyCuse]

Have you been to The Cracked Bean in Eastwood? Curious how that is.

Was there a few weeks ago, nice place and the woman who I assume was the owner was very friendly. Drinks and food were good, a tad pricey but I think their going for an upscale type of place and clientele. Tons of potential drink options, nice little place to head out to on a weekend.

 

[OttoMets]

That's the place. Yeah I agree about the potential there. I just saw yesterday that the old James Street School/American Legion Post 1276 is being converted into residential space. If done right, it could provide some vibrancy to the neighborhood. Perhaps something similar to this recent conversion in Buffalo:

The Cornelius

The Cornelius

corneliusbuffalo.com

Yep, was just in a meeting talking about this project, got to walk through the property recently. Pretty exciting, I think he's going to do a good job.

 

[IthacaMatt]

This is the new place in the Palace Theater? One of my coworkers likes it a lot; I haven't been. But I'm bullish on the scene in Eastwood, it's not even close to there yet, but there's some interesting stuff in the pipeline.

One of my clients, a specialty software company from Canada wound up taking office space out there.

 

[Trueblue25]

It's one of my very favorite bars of all time. Just perfect. Except for the jukebox. Which for you was probably perfect.

How's that new Ulster Street Recess location? Gotta be popular up there.

They built an outdoor patio and will be serving beer soon too. License pending. the staff’s very pleasant. Always worth a stop before work

 

[KellySyracuse]

wow

Wall at Eastwood’s Palace Theatre collapses, but shows will go on for now

The top part of a facade wall collapsed Friday night.

www.syracuse.com

 

[maxxyz]

wow

Wall at Eastwood’s Palace Theatre collapses, but shows will go on for now

The top part of a facade wall collapsed Friday night.

www.syracuse.com

That’s scary.

 

[IthacaMatt]

That’s scary.

That looks terrible.

 

[KellySyracuse]

That looks terrible.

Article says that the city cleared the structure, they think what fell apart is a façade. Owner won't know more until the beginning of the week but the Stafford Ave. entrance is closed

 

[KellySyracuse]

That Syracuse favorite, the salt potato, is getting its own historic marker

The salt potato may not be America’s first great culinary invention. But it’s likely one of the first to get its own historic marker.

www.syracuse.com

"The salt potato may not be America’s first great culinary invention. But it’s likely one of the first to get its own historic marker.

The Syracuse-based William G. Pomeroy Foundation, the people behind those blue roadside historic markers scattered across the state, is launching a nationwide campaign this summer to erect markers highlighting the notable moments in American food and cuisine.

The program, funded entirely by the foundation, is called Hungry for History.

The program’s first such marker in the country will be erected in Syracuse to note the origins of the salt potato, that staple of Central New York summer fun. The exact location will be revealed Thursday during a 4 to 6 p.m. launch party for the program at Willow Rock Brewing Co....Installation will be July 7.

...The Pomeroy Hungry for History markers are black with raised yellow lettering. They are 32- by 18-inches an sit atop a 7-foot pole.

Each markers cost about $1,200, including shipping, Deryn Pomeroy said. The cost is fully paid by the foundation."

 

[Fly Rodder]

Hot take ... I think salt potatoes are overrated and Syracuse is trying too hard to make them a thing (outside of Syracuse).