Former Executive Director Bill Simmons complained to the federal government earlier this year accusing Benz of having an “apparent conflict of interest”— a claim that SHA counsel has dismissed and the developer has denied.
Debadrita Sur
Debadrita Sur is a multimedia journalist and Report for America corps member who reports on the I-81 project and public housing for Central Current. In 2023, Sur graduated with a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University, where she reported on housing and homelessness, and co-produced a short documentary on food insecurity in the South Bronx.
After graduating, she joined The Buffalo News as a general assignment reporter, where she covered daily breaking news and long-term enterprise stories on pedestrian safety, homelessness in Erie County, and Jewish and Arab families in Western New York reacting to the Middle East conflict, among other topics. She later joined Reach PLC in New York City, where she worked on tight deadlines to cover breaking news on a myriad of topics, but mainly focusing on the Russia-Ukraine war as well as the Trump administration across three publications. Sur grew up in Kolkata, India, and completed her undergraduate degree in English literature from Presidency University, while also working for a London-based cultural magazine, Far Out, on the side. Deb speaks Hindi, Bengali, English, and German.
When she’s not reporting, Sur is either reading, trying to recreate her mom’s chicken recipes, making adventure bucket lists, or playing with her cat, Mountain Dew. She can be reached at dsur@centralcurrent.org
Posted inHousing
Ahead of budget season, Onondaga County Legislature’s advisory board shares proposed solutions to housing crisis
The board derived its solutions from months of community work. Legislature Chair Nicole Watts hopes the proposed solutions end up in County Executive Ryan McMahon’s proposed budget.
Posted inNews
What are the bottlenecks in housing production leading to Syracuse’s housing crisis?
Central Current dove into the issues clogging the pipeline of housing production and what city officials are doing to speed up construction as the region experiences unprecedented need.
Posted inTransportation
Upstate’s vision to expand ER involves closing a key street in the city, putting Crouse and Upstate at odds
Upstate University Hospital officials in the last few weeks have started pitching the Common Council on closing one block of East Adams Street to connect the current ER to a new building.
Posted inHousing
Can AI in the permitting process help solve Syracuse’s housing crisis?
City officials say incorporating AI will help speed up the permitting process for quicker development of much needed housing in Syracuse.
Posted inNews
How much did taxpayers pay for former Syracuse Housing Authority Executive Director Bill Simmons to retire?
As part of his separation agreement, Simmons received more than $90,000 for what appeared to be nearly six months of accrued vacation time.
Posted inNews
Brandon Hanks, SHA host last 10K tournament at Wilson Park for the foreseeable future
The Syracuse police officer said he’s looking for a place to host next year’s tournament, which has traditionally been held at Wilson Park.
Posted inSyracuse Housing Authority
How $3.7M owed by the state DOT to the Syracuse Housing Authority could ease SHA budget constraints
SHA expects to receive nearly $3.7 million for these properties, also called easements from New York State Department of Transportation.
Posted inJustice & Equity
Meet Syracuse Housing Authority’s new interim executive director Jalyn Clifford
Longtime SHA Executive Director Bill Simmons retired, effective July 10. Jalyn Clifford, the former deputy executive director, took over for Simmons.
Posted inSyracuse Housing Authority
HUD rules SHA Chair Ryan Benz has an “apparent conflict of interest,” should continue recusal until SHA obtains full disclosures
While Bill Simmons will soon leave SHA, his complaint against Benz will have enduring effects.
