There is a new kind of urbanism in Syracuse, according to Steve Klimek, an SU Engagement Fellow and co-director of The Front. He believes that in a transitioning city such as Syracuse, storefront redesign is the future of revitalization efforts. “Through creative art, storefronts help to improve the vacant real estate,” Klimek notes. “They create this sense of vitality and community in windows that might otherwise have been empty.”

One storefront that will no longer be unoccupied is that of the Media Unit, a new exhibition space for teens which exists in a well-traveled area of Montgomery Street. Taino Palermo of Outliers, Walt Shepperd of the Media Unit, and Gina Fortino of Movin100 came up with the idea to use this window as a gallery to display local student art. With Palermo’s connections to local teens, Sheppard’s space, and Fortino’s media savvy, the three were a dream team of assets. Through the hard work and dedication of these movers and shakers, the Breath of Fresh Air Gallery was born – adding a “breath of fresh air” to the student arts scene in Syracuse.  

“We were focusing in on how to address the needs of teens in the city through art, so we had this collaborative mind meld and came up with the idea to put the artwork in the window of the Media Unit,” Palermo remarks. “The pieces were there, and they came together perfectly,” Shepperd adds.

This sort of collaborative approach is crucial to successful storefront projects, Klimek comments. “So many people in Syracuse are working on projects like these, but the amazing thing is that they’re not always talking to each other,” he laments. “People in this city are more than willing to help out and make things happen once they are aware of a project.”

When Palermo used his resources to reach out to local schools, the results were terrific. “I didn’t even have to finish my sentence before they signed on,” Palermo enthuses about H.W. Smith Elementary School, which provided the inaugural art project featuring colorful paintings and drawings throughout the month of December. When the Frazer School took over the space in January, the window was filled with sculpture, ceramics and dioramas. This month, the window is another example of collaborative efforts: members of La Liga, Fanny Villarreal of ON CARE and former vice president of La Liga, and Artist in Residence for SALT Juan Cruz, identified and gathered artwork done by Latino youths for display.

Beyond that, the group is hopeful that more community organizations will get involved, and the project will continue to expand. “Once we go really public with this and start getting attention for it, there’s no telling where it will go,” says Palermo. “Syracuse itself is transitioning. It’s exciting that this project is a part of the revitalization of downtown.”

The Breath of Fresh Air Gallery is located at 327 Montgomery Street, just steps off the Connective Corridor, which includes a FREE bus service. For more information on the gallery or to submit artwork, please email Taino Palermo at bofagallery@iamanoutlier.org.

Last month, I took a trip to Cazenovia to meet Alan Rothschild, a local business owner in Syracuse and collector of patent models. Rothschild is a quiet man who lives in a remote home, hidden in the woods. We’re talking so hidden, that I was nervous to even step foot on the property. Once I built up the courage to venture down his long, narrow driveway, I entered a home to see hundreds of artifacts and hear the ticking of dozens of old, wooden clocks. Instantly I thought, Wow, now this man is a collector.

Rothschild is indeed a devoted collector, and his compilation of patent models has taken him across the country, gotten him attention in acclaimed publications, and offered him a chance to exhibit in world-famous museums. In fact, starting this month, Rothschild will exhibit his impressive set in the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C. The display will feature 32 patent models from his massive collection and will be at the museum for two years.

Rothschild is absolutely thrilled for this opportunity. “It’s very rare for the Smithsonian to do an exhibit focusing on one individual’s collection. It’s also quite unusual for the Smithsonian to do an exhibit for two years,” he shares. Rothschild’s spotlight at the museum is well-deserved, as he’s been collecting for almost 15 years, and he has around 4,000 patent models.

Wondering what a patent model is? When an individual created an invention, he or she needed to submit a miniature model, usually no larger than 12”, that showed how it functioned in order to receive the patent. Rothschild’s collection consists of models of various inventions, from wooden shoes and artificial legs to gear-cutting machines. They date back to the early 1800’s, when the American patent system started, and include models from famous inventors, such as Eli Whitney, Christian Steinway, and B.F. Goodrich.

What sparked Rothschild’s craze for collecting?

Right before he went to college, he bought his first car: a 1930 Ford Model A Sport Coupe. Rothschild remembers, “My parents were kind of upset at the time – most kids weren’t buying 30-year-old cars.” Rothschild, however, liked the age of the car and thought it looked cool. He made it his mission to restore it and make it drivable, and it’s still in his garage and running today.

Rothschild left Syracuse for the Albany College of Pharmacy (in the Sport Coupe, of course), where he developed an interest in patent medicines (i.e., medicines sold before the Food and Drug Act, when regulations or medical prescriptions weren’t necessary). He started to collect old apothecary items and eventually came back to Syracuse to build an 1800s-style apothecary shop. He ran this shop for 25 years until he donated it to the Syracuse Museum of Science and Technology (MOST) in the 1980’s, where it still exists today.

Once he sold the apothecary shop, Rothschild wasn’t sure what to do. “I felt a little lost. All of the sudden, my collecting days came to a halt. I guess fate or destiny led me to patent models.” After Rothschild bought his first patent model in 1996, he became instantly hooked and had to buy another, then another, until eventually he realized he had become a serious collector. “It was a natural happening for me to get involved with patent models,” he explains. “I love artifacts, I love history, and I especially love mechanical objects. I was always a thinker and always thought of inventing something myself.”

Perhaps not surprisingly, then, Rothschild has two inventions of his own: a vehicle inspection sticker that warns drivers when their car needs to be inspected, and another warning system that can be used for anything that needs inspection! For example, if you’re worried about forgetting to change the batteries on your smoke detector, you can put Rothschild’s sticker on it, and it will signal when the batteries need to be changed!

The Smithsonian will feature Rothschild’s collection from December 11, 2011, until November 3, 2013. Can’t make it to Washington D.C.? Check out part of Rothschild’s collection in Cazenovia, where you can take a private tour of his museum. For more information about Rothschild’s patent models, his museum and his exhibition, check out his website.

From its talented actors to its sensational performances and its acclaim in theater associations across the country, Syracuse Stage is truly a treasure of the community. For years, however, Syracuse Stage’s plaza hasn’t exactly matched its excellent reputation. Jeff Woodward, managing director, admits, “It just didn’t look good. The plaza was decaying; people had to step over the cracks in the sidewalk. It did not represent Syracuse Stage or SU Drama.”

Fortunately, Syracuse Stage sits prominently on the Connective Corridor, an art and cultural route that connects University Hill with the downtown, and its plaza has been part of the planned improvements along the Corridor for some time. Last year, Marilyn Higgins, vice president of Syracuse University’s Office of Community Engagement and Economic Development, and Robbi Farschman, who oversees the Corridor on behalf of the University, reached out to UPSTATE:, a center for design, research and real estate founded by the School of Architecture, to be the lead designer on the project.

Joe Sisko, UPSTATE’s assistant director and the plaza’s designer, wanted the design to be centered in the notion of urban performance. “We wanted to put the city on display,” Sisko explains, “and transform the pedestrians into actors in a way that amplifies the Corridor.” To ‘set the stage,’ Sisko’s layout includes panels with light sensors that will detect motion. In all, there will be eight mesh screens, fabricated with stainless steel and LED lighting that will dot the perimeter of the plaza. Paul Gelling, chief engineer of SenSyr, the company that has created the panels, shares that LED lights are very efficient and will last about five years before they have to be changed. (That’s about 55,000 hours of energy!)

SenSyr is also producing pavers that will emit varying levels of sound, depending on how much weight is put on them. Gelling explains, “The plaza will kind of be like the giant keyboard that Tom Hanks and Robert Loggia play in the movie Big. It should be really neat!” Equally important, these interactive elements will encourage individuals to bring color, sound and creativity to the Connective Corridor.

Multifunctionality is also key to furthering the idea of community within public space. Performers from Syracuse Stage can utilize the space for open-air theater, SU Drama can host outdoor classes, and anyone in the community may gather on one-of-a-kind benches to enjoy the scenes. Sisko notes, “We want people to feel the plaza is playful and consider how they can use it.”

Soon, Syracuse Stage will have a plaza unlike any other in the region!  First sounds? Since its completion coincides with Stage’s production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, visitors can expect audio stimulation of a similar nature. So, come play on the plaza and then take in a classic at Syracuse Stage. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe will run from November 25-December 21, and ticket information can be found here. Syracuse Stage is located at 820 E. Genesee St. and is on the Connective Corridor bus route, a FREE service!

There is a grand community of artists in Syracuse – some well-known, some at the creative fringe, and others whom we have yet to discover. One of our aims on the Connective Corridor is to seek out these folks and highlight their endeavors. For the next several months, we will follow Brendan Rose, Syracuse Public Artist in Residence (SPAR), and his triumphs (and sometimes trials) as an up-and-coming regional artist. Consider this an insider’s look into one local artist’s life.

I called Brendan Rose early on a Friday morning to “check in.” It had been a while since our first conversation, and I knew I needed to find out what he was up to now. He picked up the phone while tirelessly rushing around, hurried yet calm. “I’m building the tail,” he says casually, as if it were any other day where tail-building was completely normal. 

And for Brendan, it’s more than normal. He’s been working on “the serpent,” the first official piece of public art he’s created as Syracuse’s Public Artist in Residence (SPAR). The serpent, which sits on the recently-finished Onondaga Creekwalk, acts as a protector of the area and a unique piece of public art. The large-scale, blue sea creature, which Rose has been working on for months, is slowly slithering towards completion. 

You would think such a massive project would take up much of this artist’s free time, but Rose only knows how to keep busy and move forward. He’s unveiling the serpent, helping with a graduate course at Syracuse University, and working on his next big thing. He’s still playing around with the idea of public art, while trying to find new ways to execute it in the unique city of Syracuse. Luckily, he thinks he’s found something.

Rose started a project at Artsweek that he describes as a ‘drawing booth’ where people could trace each other’s faces. “People were paying attention to it,” he explains. “They were publically engaged while being engaged with each other, which was a really important goal for this piece.” This project made Rose realize that he might be able to take on different identities as the public artist. He could form his role to mean something else as he works on various projects.  

“I wanted to become the solicitor of people’s stories,” Rose contends. “I thought, ‘what if I try to make a larger call to the city and mobilize people who wouldn’t normally encounter this kind of stuff? Will people ‘play art with me?’ ”

Rose is going to test his theory through a project about love in the city. Over the next few weeks, Rose will be collecting the love stories of the people of Syracuse. He wants to know where love has existed in this city and bring our attention to it.

After Rose has found his stories, he will then find a way to incorporate them into something concrete. Or metal. Or maybe it will be something else entirely. For now, Rose is concerned with getting the piece off the ground – a process which will involve receiving approval from the Syracuse Public Art Commission, something which still intimidates Rose. “At this point, I’m pretty comfortable with [the Commission] and they’ve given me a positive response thus far,” he explains. “But I really want it to go well.”

We’ll check in next month to see where Rose is in his quest to find the “Landscape of Love” that exists in Syracuse. For now, Rose will stay committed to the tasks at hand. “If I can accomplish that, I’ll be happy,” he says as he loads concrete pieces into a truck – pieces that will soon turn into a larger, much more complete picture.

Want a chance to name the serpent? Act quickly, and a $50 gift certificate to Pastabilities could be yours! The contest is open until October 2, and the winner will be announced on October 10.

Interested in sharing your tale of love? Email spar@installsyracuse.org.

The Community Folk Art Center (CFAC), located at 805 E. Genesee Street, recently received a signature facelift as part of the Connective Corridor’s Façade Improvement Program (FIP). CFAC is the first building on the Corridor to showcase new signage branding the district.

“We immediately agreed to serve as a demonstration site for the façade program,” says Kheli Willetts, CFAC’s executive director. “This is an incredible opportunity to connect with the Corridor and highlight our organization – our goals are perfectly in sync.”

The Community Folk Art Center is the first façade to display components of the Connective Corridor’s identity, specifically the Ohm typeface and one of the red colors selected for the route, explains Robbi Farschman, director of Community Engagement and Economic Development at Syracuse University. “The idea is that folks will start to see pops of red, the Ohm font, creative implementation of ‘USE,’ and be compelled to travel forward and explore the Corridor and the city’s wonderful art and cultural offerings.”

For Willetts and CFAC, the project couldn’t have come at a better time. “We’re especially excited about the timing of the façade improvements, as they coincide with the organization’s 40th anniversary next year,” she shares.

Eligible residents, businesses and organizations can apply for up to $25,000 in capital improvement funding, which can include projects such as upgrading windows, lighting, landscaping, painting, creative signage, outdoor furnishings and other items. To qualify, applicants must implement at least one of the three design elements: the “USE” identity (signifying the last three letters in “SyracUSE”), red color scheme or Ohm font.

The Onondaga Historical Association, the first applicant to receive FIP funding, used $25,000 to help restore windows that had been bricked up for years. Additional façade improvements will soon be made at the Delavan Art Gallery, located at 501 W. Fayette St., as branding projects continue marking the route.

The program, which launched earlier this year, has experienced a great deal of success with more than 60 percent of the available funds conditionally approved for projects. “Property owners along the Corridor have expressed an incredible amount of interest in the program,” says Michael Short, FIP project manager. “Any opportunity to assist local property and business owners while engaging them in this transformative project is a victory for the entire community.”

Any property located directly on the Corridor is eligible for funding, including residential and commercial properties and for-profit and non-profit organizations. Design criteria and application information can be found here.

For more information, contact Michael Short at (315) 443-5402 or mwshort@syr.edu.

Maybe you know him as “Mr. Picture Man.” Maybe you know him as your college English professor. Maybe he’s just the man you see at the gym every morning at 8am, and you wonder what his story is and what stories he’s hiding. No matter which hat he has on, he’s still Bob Gates, a photographer looking to capture an important place in Syracuse that many take for granted – a place that won’t be around too much longer.

The corner of South Salina and Fayette Streets is a seemingly unimportant, regular corner. There’s a Dunkin Donuts, a few benches and some worn out storefronts. But it’s also Syracuse’s main bus transfer station. It’s a corner where hundreds of individuals of all shapes and sizes gather together during their day and intermingle for just a few seconds, before bussing back to their very separate lives.

This fall, the corner will lose this identity when Centro moves the transfer hub to a new facility at Adams and Salina Streets. With a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Centro will construct the new “Common Center” transfer station, featuring bus bays, an enclosed waiting area, a fare vending machine, and other upgrades. These are sure to enhance the quality of travel, but may take away from the current cultural hub that the transfer station has become.

“It’s one corner, in one small city, in one country, and you get this amazing variety of people,” says Gates of the current station. “People that are homeless, people that are lawyers, junkies, students, nurses. Some photographers need to travel the world to take pictures of people – I don’t need to do that. They’re all on one corner for me.”

Mr. Picture Man decided that he needed to document the identity of this corner before it was too late. He has been photographing the many colorful individuals of the transfer station in a series entitled “Last Transfer: Soul of Syracuse.” “I’m trying to show the people down there in a very direct, intimate and forceful way,” Gates explains. “I want to show them in a way that people can see and relate to without preconceived notions.”

His project has been immensely popular and has resonated with the individuals whom he visits and photographs every week. Gates, who admits that he used to be nervous and intimidated when he started taking pictures at the station, is now a regular and greeted with requests of, “Hey Mr. Picture Man! Take my picture!” Requests which he easily obliges.

Gates stumbled upon photography during the pursuit of his graduate degree in English. Many years later, during a successful career as an English professor at Syracuse University, he decided to pick up the camera again and hasn’t put it down. Gates’ photos are special because they openly display the gritty parts of Syracuse that some people casually walk by or pretend to ignore. He puts this starkness on display and reminds us that even seemingly ugly parts of a place can document something real and beautiful, if you just take the time to look.

Currently, Gates is working on a project to get a running slideshow in a storefront near the transfer station as a reminder of the importance of this location. “I won’t take pictures at the new station,” Gates comments. “This [station] has a particular energy about it. It’s the community center. This is where people go, hang out, meet their friends, do their business – legal or illegal. I see people who just spend their day there. It’s fascinating to me.”

And his photos will continue to fascinate us. Gates’ photographs will be featured in a gallery exhibit this fall as part of the Syracuse Symposium series, from October 14 to November 14, at the Schine Student Center, Panasci Lounge, at Syracuse University. They may also be found online here.

After five years of design, numerous community input meetings, and several trips before Syracuse City Common Council, Syracuse University and the City of Syracuse have begun construction on the Connective Corridor! On Monday, June 13, we broke ground on University Avenue, the first of five sites that are planned to be under construction this season. Soon to follow will be Forman Park, Syracuse Stage plaza, the Warehouse Hub, and E. Genesee Street, all of which will carry the unique aspects that will mark the Connective Corridor. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the highlights you’ll see at each of the project areas.

University Avenue

• After first being constructed as a two-way street, and then changed to a one-way street several years ago, University Avenue is being converted back to a two-way street.
• Thanks to a partnership with Onondaga County, the street will boast some nifty green infrastructure, including the first porous pavement treatments in the right-of-way in Syracuse and Silva Cell, a new technology which helps tree roots to grow beneath the pavement.
• Beginning at University and Waverly, bicycle enthusiasts will find an in-road bike path in the spring of 2012. This will be constructed of Methacrylate, a plastic paint that will be in the Connective Corridor’s primary red color.
• Construction has begun and will continue throughout the season; certain elements will be completed in the spring of 2012. Note: Hard hats and safety vests are de rigueur if you’re in the construction zone.

Forman Park

• The previous fountain will soon be replaced by a magnificent centerpiece, complete with recessed lighting in specially-designed coping.
• OLIN, one of the design team members under our prime Barton & Loguidice, has led the landscaping efforts and has designed a multi-function park that includes meditative walking paths.
• Red cast benches and bistro tables and chairs will dot the park, inviting folks to sit and soak up the sun.
• Construction will begin in mid-July and should be finished by year’s end.

Syracuse Stage Plaza

• UPSTATE:, under Syracuse University’s School of Architecture, is leading the design of the plaza. With groundbreaking technologies from SenSyr, a small company that includes a Syracuse University physics faculty member, visitors can look forward to interactive walls and pavers.
• Outdoor seating is also part of the design, which will lend itself to theater under the stars or a cozy place to sit with friends.
• The plaza is expected to go under construction beginning in August and should be completed in November.

The Warehouse Hub

• The green space that is across the street from the Warehouse and bounded by W. Fayette, Walton and West Streets is going to receive a major facelift. With in-ground, red solar pavers selected by design team member Tillett Lighting Design, red benches and beautiful landscaping, this will soon become a true gateway entrance to Armory Square.
• Eric Mower and Associates have donated time to create an energetic sign welcoming visitors to Armory Square. (You’ll have to wait to see it, though!)
• Across the street at the Warehouse, SU will finish its café and landscaping, providing everyone in the community with a relaxing space to enjoy lunch outdoors. (Did you know that there are lots of tasty options in the Warehouse café to sample during the school year? Anyone can dine here, and credit cards are accepted!)
• Construction should begin in late August and wrap up by year’s end.

E. Genesee Street

• Four raised medians are planned for the street, at the intersections of University, S. Crouse (east and west sides) and Irving Avenues. These will act as traffic-calming measures and give travelers the opportunity to see the great variety of independent businesses in the community.
• To ensure a seamless look to the Connective Corridor, E. Genesee will carry the same design elements that will have begun on University Avenue, including porous pavers, the in-road bike path, and selected street furniture.
• 33” and 42” light bollards, which will have been installed on University Avenue to mark the bike path, will continue to be clustered along E. Genesee in the Corridor’s primary red color. These will eventually be placed along the entire route of the bike path, to end at the Warehouse.
• Construction will likely get underway in September at the intersection of University Avenue and E. Genesee Street. It’s expected to conclude in the summer of 2012 at Forman Avenue.

And…

• The Connective Corridor is rolling out its new brand! Design team member Pentagram packaged the “USE” identity (found through the last three letters in “SyracUSE”), two colors of red and the Ohm font, to establish a distinct personality for the Connective Corridor. Together, these three components will provide visual support for the route, signaling to folks that something special is going on and compelling them to experience it!

• This brand was translated into a vibrant logo and a series of billboards by newly-graduated students from the Visual and Performing Arts Industrial and Interaction Design Program. You can check out a new billboard each month by the Warehouse in the parking lot off of West Street.

In the Near Westside, next to Blodgett Middle School, stands a small, blue house on Tully Street that is slowly being transformed into a community arts space. Marion Wilson, a sculpture professor at Syracuse University, has been renovating this house through her course, Social Sculpture: 601 Tully Design/Build, which teaches students to work collaboratively to redesign vacant structures.

Wilson has been working on 601 Tully for almost two years. She has led students in discussing possible project ideas, creating design layouts, and determining how to fund the house. This is the first year that students have had the opportunity to put forth their ideas and have had hands-on experience in construction. The outcome is quite impressive.

The house, which was once gutted, now has walls, windows and doors, a full staircase, a bathroom, balcony and a porch, all thanks to the help of a diverse group of students. While architect students once dominated the course, an increasing number of creative writing, education and art majors are now involved. The promotion aspects are also proving to be intriguing for those majoring in public relations, advertising and design. Wilson explains, “Everyone brings a different skill set, and the variety is what fuels the project.” 

Wilson decided, however, that she could not leave all the fun to the college students and saw this as a meaningful opportunity to engage another group of residents – specifically, its high school ones. Several students from Fowler High School interviewed for the opportunity to work at 601 Tully as a part-time job after school. These young people have received the same practical experience in building a house as the SU students and have taken part in other activities, as well. For example, Manuel Dejesus has built a bookshelf and has also created a photography book showing pictures of the Tully process from day one. Besides gaining concrete skills, Manuel and his peers have connected with professors from the university and have sat in on lectures and met with SU advisors about their college plans.

Wilson was inspired to take on 601 Tully after she taught a course called MLAB – Mobile Literacy Arts Bus – where students revitalized an old R.V. out of recyclable materials. “I found it so amazing to see how many college students were into the project and were involved in completing it, that I wanted to see if I could do something similar.”

Wilson considered all the initiatives on campus and throughout the city and wondered if she could create a convenient, centrally-located space for both the campus and community to use for several purposes. After some investigating, she discovered the property and was later able to buy it through the assistance of Imagining America, the SALT District, Syracuse University School of Education, Enitiative, Say Yes to Education and Home Headquarters.

Once finished, the lower floor will house Café Kubal, a local coffee shop, where folks can relax and check out the art-adorned walls. Café Kubal will provide barista classes, where anyone can learn the art of making specialty coffee, and will also provide further job opportunities for the teens. The upper level will host a gallery for artists to show their works, along with a pop-up bookstore. Outside, visitors will find a community teaching garden.

Clearly, 601 Tully will serve many purposes once it’s completed, but just when will that be? Wilson says that the plan is to be open to the public by the fall. If you want to check out this gem before then, view their blog and follow their progress.

Some students have a negative opinion of Syracuse. Rumors circulate our campus, characterizing the city as chaotic and crumbling, causing students to turn their heads away from the rich culture and history it possesses and the wonderful community it offers.

Nathaniel Sullivan and Jay Muhlin – SU graduate students in Transmedia Art and Art Photography, respectively – acknowledge Syracuse’s reputation, yet find it to be an inaccurate representation. In order to break the damaging connotation associated with the city, Sullivan, Muhlin and others have created “Walking on Water,” a guided audio tour. Meaning every word of its title, this tour leads participants as they walk on Water Street, from Crouse Avenue to Clinton Square.

The duo helped to develop this project during a course in “Art and Civic Dialogue” that was launched last fall by arts professional David A. Ross ’71 and artist Carrie Mae Weems. Through his research, Sullivan realized that “like many mid-sized cities that contain universities, there is a divide between the more or less permanent town population and the relatively transitory and peripheral student body.” With that said, Sullivan hopes that “Walking on Water” will share the richness of the city with the university community and encourage students to appreciate Syracuse and become more connected to their metropolitan surroundings.

To this end, “Walking on Water” participants are lent iPods and can expect to hear a combination of narrative stories describing the history of Syracuse, along with personal statements of local people who live, work and play here. Individuals are also given a map so that they can note certain areas where audio tracks are available and learn about such landmarks as the 1892 Amos Block and the 1894 Gere Bank Building.

During the walk, participants are encouraged to document their experiences and are able to upload texts, videos and sounds to the project’s website. Contributions will be stacked on an online map, and visitors can click on this user-generated content to frame streets and narratives in a new way. “It’s often folklore that can illustrate this feeling the best,” Sullivan explains, “and that’s why we want our walkers to contribute to the stories.”

Sullivan, a native of Vancouver, explains how his hometown is a place where citizens define their sense of identity by walking around the city and interacting with others. He believes that being a pedestrian fosters a distinct perspective in relation to one’s location, and he feels that if students were to engage more on foot, they would learn to better value and appreciate the urban landscape of Syracuse.

“Walking on Water” will have a show from April 8 to April 23 at the Community Folk Art Center with free admission. We hear Sullivan and Muhlin are also planning several events during this time, including a late night ghost hunt and an archeological dig! So, stroll down to 805 E. Genesee Street to the Community Folk Art Center and be among the first to experience what “Walking on Water” is really like.

The FIP is a reimbursable program providing funding assistance to improve the physical and aesthetic conditions of properties along the Connective Corridor, thereby enhancing the urban experience of living, working and enjoying the various cultural and social opportunities in University Hill and downtown Syracuse. 

The program also encourages the development of a distinct identity for the Connective Corridor in a way that respects and preserves the unique or historical character of individual properties, while including design elements that mark the route. Applicants are asked to incorporate a selection of design components into their plans for façade improvements. Design criteria can be found in the Connective Corridor Identity Overview. 

Funding Availability 

• The maximum award is $25,000 per property.
• The Grant Selection Committee may award partial funding, based on its review of the applicant’s plans and its evaluation of how well the plans meet the criteria outlined in the application. 
• Applications will be available until the funds have been expended.

Eligibility

• Any property located directly on the Connective Corridor, which includes the Connector and Civic Strip routes, is eligible for the program.
• Properties located on intersecting cross streets are eligible, provided that at least one façade of the property’s proposed project area is on the Connector and/or Civic Strip route.
• Residential and commercial properties are eligible.
• For-profit and non-profit organizations are eligible.
• Property owners and tenants are eligible to apply. Tenants applying must have a current lease agreement and statement of permission from the property owner, with additional proof of ownership required.
• Note: This is a reimbursement program. Applicants must demonstrate that they are able to fully finance the project up front.

Materials & Resources

• Application (Coming at the end of February 2011! Eligble property owners will be sent a letter when the application is available online.)
• Connective Corridor Map
• Front Door Upgrades                             
• Kit of Parts, selected

Funding for the Connective Corridor Façade Improvement Program is generously provided by the Empire State Development Corporation.