Connective Corridor

Syracuse University hosted a series of public sessions in 2005 and 2006 to gather ideas, concerns and other information to help inform the design teams involved in the Connective Corridor Design Competition. The sessions also explored ways in which the community can work together to assist development of the project. More than 300 people attended the meetings, including area residents, university students, community and business leaders, public officials, and city youth.

Now that the Corridor is beginning to materialize, members of the community are invited to submit feedback, participate, and take an active role in the Connective Corridor project.  With the formation of working groups, everyone can have their voices heard.  E-mail corridor@syr.edu if you would like to get involved with the development of the Connective Corridor.

The 2005/2006 sessions, sponsored by National Grid and led by competition advisor Casey Jones, resulted in a wide array of suggestions, ranging from needs in transportation and landscaping to programs and activities that could be planned along the Connective Corridor route. In early December 2005, two all-day sessions were held to discuss four specific topics: economic and community development; arts and culture in the community; transportation, technology and services; and, landscape design and public space improvements. The most popular topics discussed included the future of Interstate 81, safety, improving parks and green space in the city, marketing and branding, and having reliable transportation options.

Based on suggestions expressed during the December sessions, Syracuse University hosted two additional sessions in February 2006 for residents in city neighborhoods and youth in the City’s school district.

Residents and representatives from neighborhood groups provided ideas for how the project can tap into each of the neighborhoods in the city, and become a family friendly environment. They also suggested ways the Connective Corridor can attract visitors to the University Hill and downtown Syracuse.

In partnership with the Syracuse City School District, over 50 students from each of the city’s high schools attended a session as part of a field trip to tour the Syracuse University campus. The students developed several lists of ideas to make the Connective Corridor a place for all ages.

All the ideas and information provided during the sessions were recorded with the assistance of Syracuse University students. A list of suggestions and concerns — more than 35 pages long — was produced during the December sessions alone. These ideas, as well as suggestions submitted through surveys and the comment form provided on the Connective Corridor web site were included in materials provided to the design teams involved in the design competition.