East Adams Block Party will Engage Community

EAST ADAMS BLOCK PARTY WILL ENGAGE COMMUNITY AROUND NEIGHBORHOOD REDEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

Partners of the East Adams Neighborhood Transformation and I-81 Viaduct Project will host the event on Saturday, October 19 at Wilson Park

Residents will have the opportunity to learn more about the projects and how to get involved

Partners of the East Adams Neighborhood Transformation and I-81 Viaduct Project announce a community block party to engage with neighbors around two transformative initiatives that will reshape the neighborhood. Project partners including the Syracuse Housing Authority, City of Syracuse, McCormack Baron Salazar, Urban Strategies, Inc., Blueprint 15, Syracuse City School District, and New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) will host the event on Saturday, October 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Wilson Park.

The event will have live music by the Blacklites and DJ Geda, free food from Who Want Smoke BBQ, free Amazon mystery boxes, family-friendly activities, and information about the neighborhood and community resources. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the following projects:

• The East Adams Neighborhood Transformation Project (Transformation Project) is a comprehensive redevelopment initiative led by Syracuse Housing Authority, aimed at revitalizing the Historic 15th Ward. The project seeks to reconnect the neighborhood, build mixed-income housing, improve aging infrastructure, and build durable pathways out of poverty with greater educational, economic, and health opportunities for residents.

• The I-81 Viaduct Project is part of Governor Kathy Hochul's unprecedented commitment to modernize New York State's infrastructure and invest in projects that promote equity, connectivity, and multi-modal transportation opportunities for communities across the state. The $2.25 billion project will replace the 1.4-mile elevated highway in Downtown Syracuse with a Community Grid that will reconnect neighborhoods, improve mobility, and provide new opportunities for growth throughout Central New York.

Project renderings will be displayed for review and representatives from partner organizations will be available to answer questions and listen to feedback. In addition, community partners will provide resources about health, safety, job training, education, family services, and more.

"We want to meet people where they are. This is an opportunity for us to continue deepening the conversations and engagement with East Adams neighbors before the Transformation Project gets further underway," said Sarah Walton, Director of East Adams Redevelopment for the City of Syracuse. "The City is committed to advancing community-identified priorities, engaging with neighbors early and often to support this transition, and dedicating resources to ensure a more connected and inclusive East Adams neighborhood."

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, "Community engagement is at the heart of the I-81 Viaduct Project and pivotal to its success. I encourage everyone to attend and participate in this block party, hear directly from each of the agencies involved in the transformation of the East Adams Neighborhood and become more familiar with the individual projects. Our I-81 team will be present to meet with residents face-to-face and answer any questions about the I-81 Viaduct Project. We want direct feedback from the public and this block party will provide that opportunity."

"We are very excited to bring the community together for this important event," said William Simmons, Executive Director of Syracuse Housing Authority. "The East Adams Neighborhood Transformation and I-81 Viaduct Project will bring lasting change to our community, and it's crucial that residents and community members are informed, involved, and engaged every step of the way. Our block party is a fun opportunity to celebrate the monumental changes ahead and for neighbors to learn more about these projects while sharing their voices in shaping the future of Syracuse."

Syracuse City School District Superintendent Anthony Q. Davis Sr. said, "On behalf of the Syracuse City School District, we are excited about the redevelopment of the East Adams Neighborhood and the future of the 15th Ward. Obviously, it's exciting for the city to have a vibrant new image but it's also going to help the families that we serve in the Syracuse City School District. Saturday's block party is a wonderful opportunity for community members to learn about the Transformation Project and how they can get more involved."

"I strongly believe that this neighborhood transformation will be successful when resident voices are heard and part of the process," said Blueprint 15 Lead Neighborhood Navigator Tara Harris. "This block party is a continuation of our efforts to ensure the community's vision is our vision, and I encourage everyone from the neighborhood to join us."

For additional information on the East Adams Neighborhood Transformation Project, visit eastadams.org. For more information about the 1-81 Viaduct Project, visit their website.

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Related Information

• Office of Communications
• East Adams Block Party
• Connecting the Historic 15th Ward
• East Adams Neighborhood Transformation