Everson hosts symposium on visions to link the university to Syracuse’s urban core.

Friday, September 22, 2006
By Pam Greene
Staff writer

Four design teams from across the country unveiled their proposed design plans Thursday for a new connective corridor between Syracuse University and downtown/Armory Square.

The symposium was held at the Everson Museum. Each design team had a half-hour to deliver its proposal.

From Sasaki Architects, Landscape Architects: The streets would be two-way avenues with pedestrian walkways and trees. Housing and commerce would be peppered throughout cultural and academic sections. Orange and red paving would clearly mark the way to downtown and to the university along the corridor.

The Erie Canal would be rebuilt and the trail path would reconnect in Syracuse. A 15-stop bus system would be implemented. The corridor would stretch from University Avenue to East Genesee Street to Fayette Park to Armory Square. Outside furniture would line the pathway.

From Rockwell Group: System Architects, DIRT Studio and Light Projects Ltd.: The corridor would connect the University to the Irving Street theater district to East Genesee Street to Montgomery Street through downtown to Armory Square. Eight buses would loop the route. An urban canopy and dramatic lighting would cover the corridor. The bus stops would be the focus of the corridor. Parking availability would be drastically reduced so that people would be encouraged to use public transportation.

From Field Operations with Clear: The corridor would create an L-shaped zone with bike paths, pedestrian walkways, trees and a bus lane. During the winter, the snow could be plowed onto the bike path to create a cross-country ski trail. The letter “L” would be the theme of the district, repeating itself on buses and in the shape of outdoor furniture. The district would stretch from the University Avenue to Genesee and Fayette street and spread west to Armory Square.

From Deborah Berke and Partners Architects and Olin Partnership: The corridor would be called the “Hot Line.” It would stretch from Armory Square to Fayette Park to Syracuse Stage up to Marshall Street and College Place. One bus system would loop the route and the entire corridor would be illuminated by white lights. There would be five “hot spots” along the route where buses would stop. Each “hot spot” would have a special lighting system and digital screen that would coordinate with the buses. There would be a network of walking paths, trees and signs along the line.

Pam Greene can be reached at pgreene@syracuse.com or 470-3033.