Big Foot: Syracuse Housing Authority’s Concealed Plan

• by Ken Jackson
• February 2, 2024

Video interview with Syracuse Housing Authority Executive Director William “Bill” Simmons Claims Syracuse.com/Post-Standard story was, “Misleading” On Tuesday, January 30th the Syracuse Post-Standard reported that the Syracuse Housing Authority would displace 92 apartments within Pioneer Homes. The relocation would make way for a proposed school of Optometry at SUNY. Immediately there was a visceral reaction to the proposal. Eyebrows were raised as the proposal included a SUNY backed clinic. The location would be within the footprint of SHA properties. Ironically, within sight of the newly opened Syracuse Community Health facility which cost 22.5 million to build. Simmons has been clear from day one when discussing future use of SHA properties that “it’s SHA’s and the city and HUD’s primary responsibility to make sure that everyone living on this footprint will be exercising their right to return will be able to do so.” However, it begs the question, how did this proposal get this far without anyone in the community being aware of its existence? The destruction of Pioneer Homes has been on the minds of residents and housing advocates for decades. The first Public Housing built in New York State 1938, among the first two in the United States. Even children raised in Pioneer Homes grew up around adults who would proclaim without hesitation, “the university wants this property.” That’s why there’s a degree of sensitivity among many people regarding this coveted property. In late 2024, SHA will be closing on McKinney Manor, the first of several phases designed to transform this neighborhood. According to Simmons, “we’re very excited about that. Plans are moving well. The resources are coming along, but you know, it’s a major plan. It’s going to take some time in fact, we’re always looking at opportunities to utilize our properties to the best and highest use.” The term “Best and highest use” opens up SHA to redevelopment where interest of developers and Syracuse Housing Authority tenants may collide. The salve that lubricated the tense relationship between SHA Leadership including Board of Directors verses the community has rubbed off. Simmons responds to the news story from January 30th, “You may have heard some discussions about headlines that were in syracuse.com earlier this week regarding 92 families moving for Upstate Hospital. And so, as you can imagine, the story was a little misleading. Because as we plan out these communities, we are going to make sure that all families that are currently in the footprint living in Pioneer Homes will be returning.” Simmons continues, “I had a discussion with them, because we were looking to see how they may be able to be on the footprint. Because they were so helpful with us in terms of putting together a statement for the I 81 draft, EIS statement and talking about potential impacts to families. And so, one of the things that they recommended was a health clinic.” The line that’s been consistent with any discussion of SHA properties is, “all families that are currently in the footprint living in Pioneer Homes will be returning.” The question remains, returning to what? The reaction of the Syracuse community and swift response from Executive Director Bill Simmons is indicative of the difficult and sensitive task of reimagining a neighborhood. Responding to claims of secrecy, Simmons doubles down on his commitment to the community, “We won’t be doing anything firm, without first talking to the community like we’ve had for the past five years and some 52 community meetings that we’ve had with residents to kind of keep them informed. So, it’s just unfortunate that the article came across that way, but I wanted to make sure and clear to all residents that those families that are currently living in Pioneer Homes will be returning if they want to exercise their right to do so.”