June 26, 2023 – Urban CNY

News

State Department of Transportation Announces Plans for Safety Enhancements Along Onondaga Lake Parkway

by Urban CNY News
June 26, 2023

Temporary Lane Reduction, New Signs and Improved Detection System Among Measures Intended to Reduce Collisions with Low-Clearance Railroad Bridge New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez announced plans for a series of new safety enhancements along Onondaga Lake Parkway in the Village of Liverpool and the Town of Salina, Onondaga County. The enhancements are intended to reduce collisions with the low-clearance CSX Railroad bridge located near the midpoint of the parkway. They include the temporary reduction of traffic to one lane in each direction on the approaches to the CSX bridge, new signs and pavement markings, and upgrades to the existing over height detection system. Additionally, the entrance ramp to the parkway from northbound Interstate 81, which is currently closed to accommodate an ongoing construction project, will remain closed until further notice to limit the ability of trucks to access the Parkway. “Onondaga Lake Parkway has been the scene of far too many collisions involving trucks and other over-height vehicles that should never have been on the roadway in the first place, causing unnecessary frustration and unwarranted hazards to local motorists,” Commissioner Dominguez said. “The new measures we are implementing will build on the extensive steps we have already taken to prevent bridge strikes at this location and will reduce the likelihood of trucks accessing the parkway, calm traffic and provide additional, hard-to-miss, warnings of the low-clearance bridge that lies ahead.” Also known as State Route 370, Onondaga Lake Parkway is located within Onondaga Lake Park and runs along the northern shore of Onondaga Lake, parallel to Old Liverpool Road, between the Interstate 81 interchange and the Village of Liverpool. The CSX-owned railroad bridge near the midpoint of the parkway has a posted clearance of 10 feet 9 inches and has been subject to frequent collisions with over-height vehicles, including at least six so far in 2023. The new enhancements being added will augment the nearly 50 countermeasures currently in place along both sides of the bridge, which include signs, flashing beacons, pavement markings, variable message signs and an electronic over-height vehicle detection system. In addition to maintaining the parkway ramp closure from I-81 northbound, the following new measures will be implemented: Additionally, NYSDOT continues to explore the feasibility of several long-term measures to reduce bridge strikes along the parkway. NYSDOT will also continue to monitor the effectiveness of the ramp closure and make adjustments as warranted. State Senator John W. Mannion, upon hearing of the measures said, “I’m pleased to see bridge strike remediation efforts underway on the Onondaga Lake Parkway and am hopeful this is a viable near-term solution. It’s important that DOT continues to solicit community input while monitoring traffic flow and any further bridge strikes, here and across the state, as prescribed by my low bridge study legislation.” Assemblymember William Magnarelli, Chairman of the Transportation Committee, signaled his approval saying,“I am pleased to see the Department of Transportation taking steps to help prevent future strikes to the Onondaga Lake Parkway Rail Bridge. This is a safety issue with increased truck traffic in the Town of Salina. I urge the general public to heed the signs and devices being implemented by the State’s DOT and to stay alert while driving.” Followed by Assemblymember Pam Hunter stating, “I am pleased to acknowledge the proactive measures being undertaken by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) to enhance the safety of motorists along the Onondaga Lake Parkway. These planned safety enhancements are a crucial step in reducing the number of accidental collisions with the Parkway Bridge and ensuring the well-being of all travelers on this important roadway. Driving is a privilege that requires personal accountability. Therefore, it is essential that everyone who makes use of the parkway, observes and abides by the signage and safety measures in place to avoid future incidents. It is the State’s responsibility to prioritize the safety of our community and take decisive actions to mitigate potential risks. By implementing these safety enhancements, the NYSDOT is demonstrating its commitment to fulfilling this duty.” Follow the New York State Department of Transportation on Twitter at @NYSDOT and @NYSDOTSyracuse. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/NYSDOT.

Neighborhoods News

NYCLU on Passage of Syracuse ReZone Plan “Repeating the awful history of urban renewal and the original I-81 build”

by Urban CNY News
June 26, 2023

“Urban development should never come at the cost of marginalizing already vulnerable communities. By passing ReZone, the Common Council and Mayor Ben Walsh are repeating the awful history of urban renewal and the original I-81 build” – Lanessa Chaplin Syracuse – On June 23rd, the Syracuse Common Council passed ReZone Syracuse, a revision of the city’s zoning ordinance, which fails to provide protections for the Black community living adjacent to the I-81 viaduct in downtown Syracuse. More than 50 years ago, the construction of I-81 devastated a neighborhood that was home to Syracuse’s working-class Black community, known as the 15th Ward. In response, the New York Civil Liberties Union issued the following statement from the Director of the Environmental Justice Project Lanessa Chaplin:   “Urban development should never come at the cost of marginalizing already vulnerable communities. By passing ReZone, the Common Council and Mayor Ben Walsh are repeating the awful history of urban renewal and the original I-81 build – but instead of displacing residents by razing a community to make way for a highway, developers will now be emboldened to price this community out. “Syracuse has some of the most segregated housing in the nation. Passing this plan is not only a setback for housing accessibility, but it is an affront to the City’s predominantly low-income Black and Brown families under direct threat of displacement. Today, Syracuse lawmakers have sent a chilling message to its Black and Brown residents: that developers’ interests are more important than those who endured the fallout from the racist decisions of the past. “New land development should improve the lives of people living near the viaduct, not push them out through gentrification. We urge the City of Syracuse to advance measures to combat the gentrification and displacement of 15th Ward residents, and repair the harms to housing, educational and economic opportunities for Black Syracuse residents that resulted from the original construction of the I-81 viaduct. Anything less is a backslide on racial justice that will be felt for generations to come.”

Colleges & Universities Education

Otto the Orange voted into Mascot Hall of Fame

by Urban CNY News
June 26, 2023

The Mascot Hall of Fame releases final results of two-week vote, with Otto the Orange and Slugger the Seadog becoming its newest members Syracuse University’s very own Otto the Orange will be one of only two mascots to be inducted into the Class of 2023 Mascot Hall of Fame on Saturday, Aug. 12. The hall of fame made the announcement tonight following a two-week online vote in May. Otto and their fellow inductee, Slugger the Sea Dog from Portland, Maine, beat out 16 other mascots for this incredible honor. The induction ceremony will be held at the Mascot Hall of Fame in Whiting, Indiana. “The Mascot Hall of Fame is recognizing what Syracuse fans have known for years—Otto is one-of-a-kind and embodies what it means to be Orange,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “Otto’s spirit and joy are infectious, and part of why Otto is beloved by Orange faithful everywhere. This honor gives us one more reason to be proud of one of the greatest mascots in sports.” Since the early 1980s, Otto has been a passionate supporter, enthusiastic ambassador and inclusive unifier that consistently strengthens the entire Orange community. “Otto and Syracuse are synonymous,” says Director of Athletics John Wildhack. “One of the most recognizable mascots in all of athletics, Otto brings smiles to faces everywhere. Otto supports all 600 Orange student-athletes and teams at home and away games, and the postseason. When Otto is not cheering on the Orange, Otto is in the community making people smile at local schools, festivals, fundraisers, celebrations and in television commercials. Otto is the best.” Otto would have never been able to achieve this without the help of the over 19,000 ballots submitted by alumni and fans from 67 different countries around the globe. “I am beyond thrilled and excited to see Otto be honored, especially after the many years of Otto being there for everyone else’s big moments,” says Julie Walas, mascot coach of the Otto program. “This honor is a testament to the large Otto alumni network, who year after year invest their time to bring Otto alive and spark joy, spirit and pride in not only our university community but the larger Central New York community and beyond.” This honor is especially exciting because there has not been a college mascot inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame in four years. With this honor, Otto is now among the first 10 college mascots ever inducted and will be joining: The University is planning a special celebration for Otto during Orange Central this fall.

News

Two-Alarm Fire on Westmoreland Ave; House A Total Loss

by Urban CNY News
June 26, 2023

Syracuse, NY– On June 25, 2023, at 8:46 a.m., Syracuse Firefighters were alerted by the Onondaga County 911 Center to a reported fire at the corner of Lexington Ave. and Westmoreland Ave., on the City’s East side. Callers reported seeing a large column of smoke from as far away as Teall Ave., and I-690. Firefighters from Station 10 on East Genesee Street reported seeing smoke as they were pulling out of the firehouse to respond. They arrived on the scene at 401 Westmoreland Ave. just over two minutes after the initial dispatch to find a two-and-a-half-story home with heavy fire showing from the front of the house. A signal ‘99’ was transmitted. Teams from the initial arriving units began to stretch hoses into the home, while other teams attempted to enter to search for trapped occupants. Firefighters were driven back by intense heat and thick smoke as they pushed inside. The fire quickly spread, consuming all three floors of the home. The decision was made by command on scene to fight the fire from the outside. Complicating matters, power lines from the house burned away, falling into the front yard. Firefighters utilized elevated waterways from apparatus in the street to douse the flames. A second alarm was needed to bring the fire under control. It took nearly two hours to extinguish the majority of the fire. One firefighter suffered from heat exhaustion while battling the blaze. They were treated by medical units on the scene and were able to continue working. At the time of this release, fire units were still on the scene. Fire Department units will rotate through the scene throughout the day and into the night to perform a ‘fire watch’ to look out for any possible rekindle of the fire. There were no civilian injuries reported, all occupants escaped safely prior to fire department arrival. Syracuse Fire Investigators were on the scene, however due to the extensive damage to the home, their investigation was limited to what could be done safely. The house is considered a total loss due to extensive fire damage. The roof of the structure collapsed early on in the operation, and several other portions of the home, including a chimney, were in danger of further collapse. Firefighters were able to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby homes. Seven occupants were displaced by this fire. They are being assisted by the American Red Cross. A total of 51 personnel, from 8 different City Fire stations, responded to this alarm, including command and support staff. Syracuse Fire Department Ambulance, Syracuse Police, American Medical Response, National Grid, and the American Red Cross also responded to the scene. SFD Photos

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State Department of Transportation Announces Plans for Safety Enhancements Along Onondaga Lake Parkway

NYCLU on Passage of Syracuse ReZone Plan “Repeating the awful history of urban renewal and the original I-81 build”

Syracuse Common Council Meeting Schedule June 26 – June 30, 2023 (Revised)

SPD Report Stabbing on Coolidge Avenue

Otto the Orange voted into Mascot Hall of Fame

Two-Alarm Fire on Westmoreland Ave; House A Total Loss

Shooting with Injuries on Hixon Ave.

Fire Damages Vacant Graves Street Home for Second Time

Black Voices