sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
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Welcome to Blackout Wednesday!
Blackout Wednesday, sometimes referred to as Drinksgiving, takes place the night before Thanksgiving Day, and in some parts of the United States is one of the biggest drinking and party nights of the year. Many college students come back to their hometown for Thanksgiving, and go to bars the night before to meet their friends whom they haven't seen while away at school. Many bars mark the occasion by having promotions and drink specials as well. Thanksgiving is usually a low stress holiday for college aged kids, where gifts don't need to be purchased, and older family members do the preparing of meals. This leaves college aged kids with more expendable cash, and the luxury of eating a big meal the day after drinking without having to prepare it.
SU News
Syracuse football player Carlos Del Rio-Wilson makex his way to the Sunday meetings where they will learn that head coach Dino Babers was fired after the teams loss to Georgia Tech.Nov. 19, 2023. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.comdnett@syracuse.com
Syracuse interim Nunzio Campanile on team’s mindset after Babers firing: ‘They’ve been through a lot’ (PS; $; Carlson)
Syracuse interim head coach Nunzio Campanile said the remaining coaches in the SU football program have encouraged players to work through the emotions that have bubbled up following the school’s firing of head coach Dino Babers and embrace the opportunity to close the season with a bowl game.
Babers was fired on Sunday after the Orange lost 31-22 against Georgia Tech the previous day. He was fired with the Orange needing one more win to make a bowl game in back-to-back seasons, an accomplishment the school hasn’t experienced since 2012-13.
Syracuse athletic director John Wildhack said he told Babers before the season that he needed to go 7-5 to return as the head coach next season. He fired Babers as soon as that mark wasn’t attainable.
Syracuse senior Caleb Okechukwu said he suspected the firing was happening when the team received a message that their weekly Sunday meeting had been moved up to the morning following a Saturday night road game.
He said he learned about the firing on social media shortly before the team was going to receive official word.
“It’s been a whirlwind,” Campanile said. “Obviously they’ve been through a lot this weekend. We want to make sure we can help guide them and put them in the right position so we can finish strong.
“They should deal with the emotions they are going through. Obviously, this is a major change. Those relationships are real. The relationships between players and coaches, people that you have spent four or five years of your life with. They have to deal with that and address that. But they have a lot of things they have worked really hard for that are still in front of them. So it’s ‘How do we stay focused? How do we keep playing for one another?’ ”
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Syracuse '24 commit offers insight on Campanile's message amid coaching change (PS; $; Leiker)
Around 5 p.m. on the day of Dino Babers’ firing, Syracuse football class of 2024 verbal commit Noah Rosahac got a call.
It was from tight ends coach Nunzio Campanile, who was promoted to interim head coach for SU’s final regular season game.
Campanile confirmed what Rosahac had already learned from social media and then Google: Babers was out. A coaching search was on.
“I had a feeling that something was going to happen, but I didn’t expect it to be this early in the season,” Rosahac said. “I thought they would at least give him the chance to go bowl eligible. Maybe give him another season. It was a bit of a shock to me.”
Roshac said the feeling this move might happen was fueled only by his own perception of the team and seeing fans’ reactions online, not anything the program had said to him.
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(youtube; video; WAke Forest Athletics)
Nov. 21, 2023: Coach Dave Clawson Syracuse Week Press Conference
Who will be next SU football coach? Vetting candidates with college football insider (podcast) (PS; $; podcast; Axe)
Syracuse athletic director John Wildhack said at a press conference earlier this week that he would prefer SU football’s next coach to have experience as a head coach or coordinator at the Power-Five level on his resume.
Wildhack also mentioned the need of having Northeast connections and the “critically, critically important” element of knowing special teams.
I brought one of college football’s best national insiders, Bruce Feldman from The Athletic, on “Syracuse Sports” to examine a number of candidates that fit that profile.
Is SU’s next head coach on Feldman’s list of potential candidates?
Bruce and I also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the Syracuse job in 2023 and what he has heard since the job came on the market when Dino Babers was fired on Sunday.
Mandel's Mailbag: What scenarios could play out for CFP? What will The Game's TV numbers be? (theathletic.com; $; Mandel)
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In the current climate of college football, would Syracuse be better served to go to the Group of 5 level to be more competitive, or should it continue to take the ACC’s checks and wallow at the bottom of the conference? — Marc H.
If Syracuse left the ACC for the AAC, it would go from making $40 million per year in conference revenue to around $8 million. It has 14 other sports to fund. It can’t do that. But no question, Syracuse football is an odd fit in the ACC. In an ideal world, it would find a way to revive the Big East, with Syracuse playing more of Boston College, Pitt, Miami, West Virginia and UConn and less of Clemson, NC State, Georgia Tech and Wake Forest. But this being college sports, that ship sailed, and now we’re going to put the Orange in the same conference with SMU, Stanford and Cal.
But Syracuse does not have to be hopeless. Pitt won an ACC title two years ago. Wake Forest played for one. Duke has reached eight bowl games during the past 12 seasons. None of these schools have some inherent advantage over Syracuse.
First and foremost, the school needs to invest in football, which these days starts with NIL. While easy to chalk up as an excuse, Dino Babers said in the middle of the season: “Schools like us, we’re not going to have a lot of depth because it gets bought away.” There’s always money in the banana stand, boosters.
And then, of course, Syracuse has to nail its coaching hire. Syracuse has had some pretty … umm, uninspiring coaches through the years: Greg Robinson, Doug Marrone, Scott Shafer. (Who?) Babers, whom the school hired from Bowling Green, initially seemed like a home run when he led the Orange to 10 wins in his third season, but he blew any momentum pretty quickly and never came close to getting it back.
Kansas found its savior in Buffalo’s Lance Leipold. Dave Clawson, who was Babers’ predecessor at Bowling Green, has proven to be a perfect fit at Wake. And look at what Jedd Fisch is doing at Arizona. None of these coaches were splashy hires, and all of them took over jobs as hard or harder than Syracuse’s. I don’t have a magic name, but the person does exist.
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30 Minutes In Orange Nation 11-21-23 (ESPN; radio; Orange Nation)
Paulie Scibilia starts the show with producer Jordan Capozzi reacting to yesterday’s loss for Syracuse men’s basketball against Tennessee. Then, Brian Higgins joins Paulie as the pair reacts to Nebraska football head coach Matt Rhule’s recent comments that may or may not be about Syracuse football. Later, a caller caps off the show with some final thoughts on the Orange’s chances today against Gonzaga.
After firing, Syracuse eyes bowl eligibility vs. Wake Forest (cbssports; FLM)
Dino Babers finally ran out of chances at Syracuse, and Wake Forest's Dave Clawson might not be far behind.
Six days after firing their coach, the Orange will host the Demon Deacons on Saturday in the regular-season finale for both teams.
Babers posted two winning seasons in eight years at Syracuse and just watched his team collapse following a 4-0 start in non-conference action. The Orange (5-6, 1-6 ACC) have lost six of seven games since then and are coming off a 31-22 defeat at Georgia Tech last Saturday.
That loss proved to be the final straw for Babers, who was relieved of his duties Sunday. Tight ends coach Nunzio Campanile was named interim coach and will try to get Syracuse into a bowl game, which it will be eligible for with a win against Wake Forest.
Nevertheless, the school felt it was time for a change.
"What the exit really boils down to is November. We've not had the success in November," Syracuse athletic director John Wildhack said Monday.
The Demon Deacons (4-7, 1-6) are looking to end the season on a high note, having dropped seven of their last eight after a 3-0 start. They were trounced 45-7 by Notre Dame last Saturday and have scored 21 points or less in eight straight contests.
Still, Clawson -- who is wrapping up his 10th season with the team -- is holding his head high.
"I think our guys played hard, and I can't fault their effort," Clawson said. "We have one more week to play as a team. I'm really impressed with the way these guys have stuck together and they continue to practice hard and give effort."
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Syracuse Football: Numerous experts project ‘Cuse to various bowl games (itlh; Adler)
Syracuse football has one more 2023 regular-season game remaining, and the ‘Cuse has one more chance to get to six wins and qualify for post-season eligibility for the second year in a row.
This coming Saturday afternoon, the Orange (5-6, 1-6 in the ACC) will host Wake Forest (4-7, 1-6 in the ACC) at the JMA Wireless Dome.
The ‘Cuse will battle the Demon Deacons on the Hill with tight ends coach Nunzio Campanile serving as the Orange’s interim head coach, after SU Athletics announced this past Sunday that Dino Babers had been dismissed as the team’s head coach, effective immediately.
I’m curious to see how Syracuse football players will respond on Saturday, given that Babers will no longer be on the sidelines leading the ‘Cuse. In any event, the Orange still has something to play for, and ESPN’s Football Power Index (“FPI”) this week is giving the ‘Cuse a 69.0 percent chance to reach a bowl game in 2023.
Let’s check out some of the latest bowl projections for Syracuse football.
Steven Lassan, Athlon SportsLassan has the Orange playing American Athletic Conference member South Florida (5-6) in the Fenway Bowl on December 28 in Boston.
Brad Crawford, 247Sports
Crawford predicts Syracuse football to face Troy (9-2) out of the Sun Belt Conference at the Birmingham Bowl on December 23 in Birmingham, Ala.
Brett McMurphy, Action Network
McMurphy forecasts the ‘Cuse squaring off with Big 12 Conference squad West Virginia (7-4) at the Armed Forces Bowl on December 23 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Who Should Syracuse Hire to Replace Dino Babers? (orangefizz.net; Frank)
After the news that Dino Babers was relieved of his duties as head coach, John Wildhack gave a press conference on Monday morning and in that media session, outlined what he would be looking for in a new head coach: someone with head coaching or coordinator experience at a power five level, and someone with ties to the Northeast.
The decision to fire Babers was made for a number of reasons, but the most prominent according to Wildhack were a consistent inability to win late in the season, specifically the losing streaks of the last three years, and failing to meet the threshold he set before the season of attaining a 7-5 record this year and building on the momentum of last season.
So, with that in mind, people have been talking about who could replace Babers, and the candidates are far and wide. Let’s take a look at them.
The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman, one of the top college football insiders, released his list of potential candidates, but prefaced it with this:
“There had been rumblings that Syracuse was ready to move on from Babers since the offseason. Babers was a dynamic leader and had some big moments in eight years at the helm, but he never established lasting roots in the Northeast recruiting base where the Orange had enjoyed so much success. Whether this program can get back to the local connection it had a generation ago under Dick MacPherson and then Paul Pasqualoni is a big question,” Feldman wrote earlier this week.
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Episode 455- Syracuse Football/Basketball: Wake Forest Preview/Maui Talk! (player.fm; podcast; Cuse Militia)
What's up Cuse Nation?!?! Well Well Well! We're back with some more to talk about in regards to football. The AD names players in a self own and we discuss? So, if these said players could have been starters at SU but likely got paid more to play less, WHERE DO YOU THINK THE PROBLEM IS?????? Then, we'll talk wake and Maui!
ACC News
Pitt Football to Open 2027 Season in Ireland - Pitt Panthers #H2P (pittsburghpanthers.com)
For the first time since 1989, the Pitt Panthers are set to play a football game outside of the United States.
Pitt will open the 2027 season against the Wisconsin Badgers in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland. The game is slated for August 28—Week Zero of the 2027 college football campaign—and will be played at Aviva Stadium.
"This is an absolutely tremendous opportunity for our football program, not only athletically but also culturally," Director of Athletics Heather Lyke said. "Visiting a new continent will be a life-changing experience for our student-athletes. The trip to Ireland will be something that members of our program—student-athletes, coaches, staff and also our tremendous donors and fans—will always remember. Pitt football will have this memorable international exposure along with the benefit of a national Week Zero television audience."
"What an honor it is for our Panthers to receive an invitation to play in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin," said Pat Narduzzi, Pitt's Chris Bickell '97 Head Football Coach. "As a coach, you want the young men in your program to have impactful personal experiences, on and off the field. I am grateful our team will have the opportunity to play in this special game against a great opponent like Wisconsin."
"We look forward to welcoming two respected universities in the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Wisconsin and their notable football programs to Dublin in 2027," said Catherine Martin TD, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. "We anticipate an exciting week of leisure, business, academic and sporting events leading up to the game in line with our 'Much More Than A Game' ethos."
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The year in the ACC: A possible CFP contender, at least 9 bowl berths and no shortage of star power (apnews.com; Reynolds)
Entering the final week of Atlantic Coast Conference play, it’s already known what the title-game matchup will be: Florida State meets Louisville for the league title in Charlotte on Dec. 2.
That said, there’s still some things to be decided. And maybe even a few league honors still hanging in the balance.
There are nine teams already assured of bowl eligibility and two more could get there this weekend.
“Top to bottom, this is an excellent league,” Miami coach Mario Cristobal said. “And I think the record shows that against other conferences.”
He’s right. Here’s a very good sign of how good the ACC was (and a good sign, perhaps, entering bowl season): There are 10 members of the league who went 3-1 or better in nonconference games this season.
STAR POWER
Quarterback play has been stellar in the ACC all season. Florida State’s Jordan Travis — whose college career ended last week with a gruesome leg injury against North Alabama — starred all season long and is the biggest reason why the Seminoles are in the hunt for a College Football Playoff spot. And there have been nine quarterbacks who have won or shared the ACC’s quarterback of the week award at least once this season.That said, there were many other stars. North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton is tied for the national lead entering this week with 1,414 rushing yards. Virginia receiver Malik Washington is second nationally in receptions per game and yards per game.
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UNC-NC State rivalry and FSU's QB pivot headline the ACC slate to end the regular season (beloitdailynews.com; AP; Beard)
Things to watch in the Atlantic Coast Conference in Week 13:
GAME OF THE WEEK
North Carolina at North Carolina State. The nearby rivals meet to close the regular season, each with a chance for a 10-win season.
The Tar Heels (8-3, 4-3 ACC) have lost the last two meetings in dramatic fashion to the Wolfpack (8-3, 5-2). The first of those two losses came in UNC's last trip to Raleigh, where the Wolfpack scored twice in 26 seconds to make an improbable comeback.
The game pairs a UNC offense featuring star quarterback Drake Maye against a defense led by one of the nation's top linebackers in the Wolfpack's Payton Wilson.
There's also the Wolfpack's late surge since a dreadful performance in a loss at Duke with four straight wins, which includes quarterback Brennan Armstrong returning to the starting role and getting another shot at UNC after going 1-2 as a starter while at Virginia.
BEST MATCHUP
Ninth-ranked Louisville is thriving in Jeff Brohm's return to the program where he played, owning its highest ranking in seven years and headed to the ACC championship game against No. 5 Florida State.
The Cardinals (10-1) can add something more by ending a four-game losing streak to in-state rival Kentucky. The Wildcats (6-5) have won those four games by an average of 30.5 points while holding the Cardinals to just 14.3 points since Louisville's last win in 2017.
LONG SHOT
Pittsburgh is a 6 1/2-point underdog at Duke, according to FanDuel , but the Panthers have owned the series since coming to the ACC in 2013.
The Panthers have won seven straight and 11 of 12 meetings, with nine of those taking place since their league arrival. Duke's last win came in double-overtime on the road in 2014. Pitt also handed Louisville its only loss this year.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
UNC running back Omarion Hampton is tied for the national lead in rushing (128.6) and has run for 100+ yards in six straight games, the first Tar Heels player to do so since 1970. ... N.C. State is one of four teams in the Power Five conferences with at least eight wins in four straight seasons, joining Georgia, Alabama and Notre Dame. ... Cavaliers receiver Malik Washington is averaging 119.2 yards receiving, good for second in FBS. ... Miami safety Kamren Kinchens and Boston College defensive back Elijah Jones are among 11 players nationally with at least five interceptions. ... Georgia Tech (6-5, 5-3) enters a matchup with top-ranked Georgia with its best win total since 2018.
IMPACT PLAYER
FSU (11-0, 8-0) is headed for the ACC title game and chasing a College Football Playoff berth, but things look uncertain with starting quarterback Jordan Travis lost to a season-ending injury.
That puts Tate Rodemaker in line to take over entering this weekend's trip to Florida. Rodemaker had thrown seven passes in seven appearances before having to take over against North Alabama once Travis was carted off. Overall, he's completed 56 of 93 passes for seven touchdowns and five interceptions over four seasons.
https://www.si.com/college/louisville/football/acc-power-rankings-2023-week-13 (SI; McGavic)
Where do things currently stand in the Atlantic Coast Conference with just one week left in the regular season? Check out our week 13 ACC power rankings below:
1. Florida State Seminoles
Record: 11-0, 8-0 ACCLast Week's Ranking: No. 1
Week 12 Result: W, 58-13 vs. North Alabama
The result of Florida State's matchup with North Alabama doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things, but what happened during it could have massive ramifications. The Seminoles will have to try and win an ACC title and potentially compete for a national title without QB Jordan Travis after he suffered a gruesome leg injury. The Noles still have plenty of talent, but how far can backup Tate Rodemaker take them?
2. Louisville Cardinals
Record: 10-1, 7-1 ACCLast Week's Ranking: No. 2
Week 12 Result: W, 38-31 at Miami
This Louisville team has made a habit out of playing their best football when it matters most. This time, with a berth to the ACC Championship on the line, they came through in the clutch once again. QB Jack Plummer delivered after looking pedestrian through three quarters, and their defense came through after looking suspect. Plus, they're not completely dead as it pertains to the College Football Playoff hunt.
3. NC State Wolfpack
Record: 8-3, 5-2 ACCLast Week's Ranking: No. 4
Week 12 Result: W, 35-28 at Virginia Tech
NC State has been on an incredible late season run, now having won four in a row. For a guy who was benched at one point in the season due to his play and thrust back into the starting role, quarterback Brennan Armstrong has been a key piece to the Wolfpack's second half surge. of course, LB Payton Wilson and that defense continue to be a menace.
4. Clemson Tigers
Record: 7-4, 4-4 ACCLast Week's Ranking: No. 5
Week 12 Result: W, 31-20 vs. North Carolina
Sure, Clemson isn't a player in the national title hunt, and aren't even going to be competing for a conference title, but they've looked like the Clemson of old lately. QB Cade Klubnik is getting more comfortable, and their RB duo of Will Shipley and Phil Mafah continues to be a problem. Even with the defense getting gashed on the ground against UNC, they still were able to limit that potent offense.
5. North Carolina Tar Heels
Record: 8-3, 4-3 ACCLast Week's Ranking: No. 3
Week 12 Result: L, 31-20 at Clemson
North Carolina has all the offensive talent in the world. QB Drake Maye is likely going to be a first round pick in the NFL Draft, RB Omarion Hampton might win ACC Offensive Player of the Year, and WR Tez Walker has been a monster since being ruled eligible. Yet they're going to likely miss out on a New Year's Six bowl because their defense continues to be porous. Sure, Clemson has talent, but the Tigers had been woefully inconsistent on that side of the ball.
6. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Record: 6-5, 5-3 ACCLast Week's Ranking: No. 9
Week 12 Result: W, 31-22 vs. Syracuse
Georgia Tech's roller coaster season has been wild to watch. Some games, QB Haynes King can't stop throwing to the other team and the defense gets torn through like Charmin. Other times, King lets it rip for huge numbers and the defense looks like they could stop anyone. I'll let you figure out which version the Yellow Jackets proved to be the final straw in Dino Babers' coffin.
7. Miami Hurricanes
Record: 6-5, 2-5 ACCLast Week's Ranking: No. 7
Week 12 Result: L, 38-31 vs. Louisville
On one hand, Tyler Van Dyke looked much better than he had in recent weeks. He was confident, made good decisions, and kept Miami in the game. RB Mark Fletcher also continues to surge. On the other hand, when The U had Louisville on the ropes, their defense was torn up. Talent only gets you so far, and Mario Cristobal is learning that the hard way.
8. Duke Blue Devils
Record: 6-5, 3-4 ACCLast Week's Ranking: No. 6
Week 12 Result: L, 30-27 at Virginia
What a disappointing turn of events for Duke. A season that started with so much promise has completely sputtered out, as the Blue Devils have now lost four of their last five games after winning five of their first six and being in the Top-20. Riley Leonard's injury limited the offense's ceiling, and their stout defense has let up in recent weeks. Now you have to wonder if Duke can hold onto head coach Mike Elko.
9. Virginia Tech Hokies
Record: 5-6, 4-3 ACCLast Week's Ranking: No. 8
Week 12 Result: L, 35-28 vs. NC State
At this point in the season, it's clear why Virginia Tech has had the season they have had. They've beat up on the worse teams on their schedule, while getting absolutely hammered by the high end teams. To their credit, they did nearly pull off a fourth quarter comeback, and Kyron Drones delivered another good performance, but they were outclassed by NC State. In theory, they should beat Virginia in their regular season finale to reach a bowl. In theory.
10. Boston College Eagles
Record: 6-5, 3-4 ACCLast Week's Ranking: No. 10
Week 12 Result: L, 24-16 at Pitt
Talk about a swing in momentum for Boston College. They went from firing off a five-game win streak to save their season and go bowling, to now having suffered back-to-back brutal losses. This time, it came against a Pitt team who was down to third third string quarterback and had given up gobs of yards to damn near every team they have faced. I'm really not entirely sure what to think of the Eagles.
11. Virginia Cavaliers
Record: 3-8, 2-5 ACCLast Week's Ranking: No. 13
Week 12 Result: W, 30-27 vs. Duke
This will go in the books as a losing season, but it's hard to deny Virginia's fight that they have shown as of late. Sure, the amount of losses is staggering, but five of them came by one score. Freshman QB Anthony Colandrea is a star in the making, and WR Malik Washington is likely going to be an All-American when this season is done. There is some semblance of hope for the program under Tony Elliott.
12. Pitt Panthers
Record: 3-8, 2-5 ACCLast Week's Ranking: No. 14
Week 12 Result: W, 24-16 vs. Boston College
With the season clearly lost, now it's time to start focusing on ways Pitt can give fans hope for the future. Third string quarterback Nate Yarnall might be just that. Granted, BC's defense has been extremely inconsistent, but he looked surgical. Now if the Panthers can hold onto guys like RB Rodney Hammond and DB Donovan McMillon, load up int he portal, and Pat Narduzzi could have Pitt back to where he wants them
13. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Record: 4-7, 1-6 ACCLast Week's Ranking: No. 11
Week 12 Result: L, 45-7 at Notre Dame
Man, the way this game played out, you thought Sam Hartman had a bone to pick with his former team. Wake Forest could only cower in fear as the Irish and their former star tore them apart defensively. It's no shocker, but their offense couldn't do much of anything either. Could Dave Clawson's seat be starting to warm up?
14. Syracuse Orange
Record: 5-6, 1-6 ACCLast Week's Ranking: No. 12
Week 12 Result: L, 31-22 at Georgia Tech
When you're the first program in the conference to see their head coach get fired, it only makes sense for you to be at the very bottom. Two years in a row, Syracuse had extremely strong starts to give fans hope of having another 10-win season. Two years in a row, the Orange have completely flamed out in the back half of the season, and this time it was Dino Babers' undoing.
UNC coach Mack Brown talks Thanksgiving week game against NC State :: WRALSportsFan.com (wralsportsfan.com; video)
UNC coach Mack Brown talks Thanksgiving week game against NC State
Other
Preliminary renderings show the JMA Wireless expansion project planned for its campus in Syracuse's South Side neighborhood.JMA Wireless
Syracuse IDA approves $4 million in tax breaks for JMA Wireless expansion (PS; Boyer)
An expansion project at JMA Wireless’ new South Side Syracuse campus will benefit from nearly $4 million in tax breaks.
The Syracuse Industrial Development Agency on Tuesday unanimously approved resolutions tied to the 5G equipment maker’s request for assistance with its $24.4 million expansion on about six acres of land across South Clinton Street from the company’s global headquarters opened last year.
JMA is planning to construct a 100,000-square-foot warehouse at the site, which will serve as JMA’s primary logistics center for all of the materials it moves across the world.
The IDA’s financial assistance includes a waiver on sales taxes for project construction materials valued at $1.55 million, a mortgage tax break of $183,000 and a 15-year real estate tax exemption worth an estimated $2.25 million. Under the real estate tax break agreement, JMA will make payments totaling an estimate $647,000 over the 15 years.
Tuesday’s IDA meeting included a public hearing on the request for financial assistance, but no one spoke.
The expansion will create 40 new jobs within five years, according to the application with the IDA. The bulk of the jobs, 35, would be low- or semi-skilled positions with starting annual pay of $35,000. The other five positions would be professional posts carrying $103,000 annual salaries.
The IDA previously granted a $4 million tax break package for JMA’s global headquarters and 5G manufacturing site, a $52 million facility the company opened in early 2022 at the former Coyne Textile, an industrial laundry that closed after going bankrupt in 2015. JMA said it was the only U.S.-owned 5G manufacturing campus in the nation.
The company said its rapid growth has created the need for the South Side site’s expansion. The company is currently using some space in the new manufacturing facility for warehousing, so the new building will also allow for increased production.
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ShoppingTown redevelopment is stuck on hold. Here’s how things could change (PS; Moriarty)
It’s been more than two years since a local development group announced plans to transform the shuttered ShoppingTown Mall into District East, a mixed-use complex with residential, retail, entertainment and office space.
The $400 million development promises to turn the dead mall into a thriving place where people live, work, shop and play, boasting more than 900 housing units and nearly 2 million square feet of leasable space.
But nothing has changed at ShoppingTown since the announcement. Its doors and windows remain boarded up. Not a single shovel of dirt has been turned. Not even a ceremonial groundbreaking.
In short, the project is stuck in limbo. Here’s why -- and how things could change.
What’s holding things up?
The first thing developers need before constructing anything is control of the property. And the development team, OHB Redev, does not have full control of ShoppingTown.
The mall closed in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic and never reopened. Later that year, Onondaga County bought it from its owner, Moonbeam Capital, for $3.5 million and waived $10 million in back taxes and $3 million in interest and late fees.
In 2021, the county agreed to sell the mall to OHB Redev for $8 million in exchange for the group’s commitment to redevelop the 65-acre site. However, the county’s purchase of the mall -- and its deal with OHB Redev -- did not include the former Sears and Macy’s department stores because they were not owned by Moonbeam.
Who owns the Sears and Macy’s stores?
The Sears store and the nearby former Sears Auto Center are owned by Transform Saleco, one of the entities formed by Sears to manage its many shuttered stores around the country. Benderson Development, the Florida-based owner of the Marshall’s shopping plaza adjacent to ShoppingTown, bought the closed Macy’s store in 2015 for $2 million.
Ryan Benz, one of the principals of OHB Redev, said the group cannot redevelop the mall without ownership of the former Sears and Macy’s stores.
Simply put, there’s no way to build a $400 million development while leaving two vacant department stores in the middle of it all.
Even if it was physically possible to do, Transform’s and Benderson’s ownership of the stores come with legal rights under what lawyers call reciprocal easement agreements. Those rights prevent any redevelopment of the mall without their permission (and prevent Transform and Benderson from doing anything with the stores without the county’s permission). Such agreements are common between mall developers and the department stores that serve as their anchor tenants.
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Hallmark-style Christmas movie set to film in Lake Placid; ‘cozy’ locations, crew wanted (PS; House)
Good news, Hallmarkies: A “Hallmark-style Christmas movie” is set to be filmed in the Adirondacks.
Gemelli Films will shoot a holiday movie next month in Lake Placid, company president Candice Cain announced Saturday in a post on We Love Lake Placid NY, a Facebook page. Based on Long Island, the company states it specializes in making Hallmark movies and other “heartwarming” films.
The film is expected to be shot in Lake Placid from Dec. 4 to Dec. 21. And to make movie magic happen, Cain said she needs help.
Along with seeking a host of crew members ranging from makeup and hair stylists to production assistants and background actors, Cain said Gemelli Films is searching for locations to shoot — including houses, a “cozy” restaurant, a skating rink and a hill that offers nighttime sledding.
Cain asked anyone interested in applying for a position or offering a place to shoot to email Production@Gemellifilm.com. Actors can apply through Actors Access.
Upstate New York is no stranger to holiday movies. In 2022 alone, at least two Hallmark-worthy films were shot Upstate: one in the Capital Region and another in Western New York.
