Plans for Interstate 81's viaduct through Syracuse were slowed by a lawsuit that made claims about the plans' effects on residents. An I-81 street sign is pictured here. Photo by Michael Greenlar Credit: Mike Greenlar | Central Current

Syracuse city officials are hosting a series of open houses to get community feedback about the city’s community grid vision plan that was released in late February. 

The community grid vision plan, which was developed for the city by the urban planning firm Dover, Khol & Partners, lays out potential development that could determine what the city will look like after the Interstate I-81 viaduct is removed.

The plan envisions improvements in the city through suggestions that include safer pedestrian and bike paths, parks and other public spaces, enhancements to existing streets, and paving new streets.

This is the second series of open houses hosted by the city to get feedback about the plan. Previous community meetings were held shortly after the plan was initially released. 

“I think that’s the primary goal of this new round of engagement we’ve been doing since we launched the vision plan,” said I-81 project director Joe Driscoll. “We’re just trying to determine which suggestions resonate most with the community and that the community thinks are the most important to elevate.”

The city plans to begin carrying out elements of the plan as work on the I-81 project continues over the next two to three years. The viaduct is expected to come down in 2028. 

  • August 12, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at St. Lucy’s Church, 432 Gifford St.
  • August 13, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at Magnarelli Community Center, 2300 Grant Blvd.
  • August 15, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Onondaga County Central Library, 447 South Salina St. 
  • August 19, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at Nottingham High School, 3100 E Genesee St.
  • August 26, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at Tucker Missionary Baptist Church, 515 Oakwood Ave. 

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Anais Mejia is a freelance journalist covering economic justice in the region. She is focused on stories about housing in Syracuse, Interstate 81 and the redevelopment of public housing. Anais is currently...