Syracuse, N.Y. – Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced the City of Syracuse will host two open houses to introduce the Community Grid Vision Plan, a multi-decade look ahead at how Syracuse can maximize the positive impact of the Interstate 81 Viaduct Project on neighborhoods and mobility. The two-hour sessions will be held on back-to-back days on the city’s south and north sides in the last week in February. 

The first open house takes place on Tuesday, Feb. 27 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the cafeteria at STEAM at Dr. King Elementary at 416 E. Raynor Avenue. The second open house is on Wednesday, Feb. 28 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the cafeteria at Lincoln Middle School at 1613 James Street. 

The Community Grid Vision Plan is the result of an urban planning and community engagement process funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. It makes recommendations regarding the city transportation network, land use, housing and economic development, public spaces and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations. 

The Vision Plan is based on extensive neighborhood and stakeholder input, including a weeklong design charette in August 2022 which engaged city residents in visioning and design. To lead the process, the City hired Dover Kohl & Partners, a consulting firm well known for neighborhood planning and landscape design related to major public infrastructure projects.  

The City will release the Vision Plan online at syr.gov/communitygrid on Wednesday, Feb. 21.