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The Syracuse City Common Council approved funding for construction of multiple memorials throughout the city during its Tuesday meeting, as well as infrastructure improvements to city parks.

The council voted to allocate up to $100,000 to construct two new memorial brick walls at the Fayette Firefighter Memorial Park in Downtown Syracuse, with one circling the 9/11 flag pole and one around the historic fire bell. The city will use the funding for the memorials alongside a $300,000 grant from New York state, which will go toward restoring the park’s existing infrastructure.

The city plans to begin construction in spring 2025 and complete the project that summer, according to its website. Community members will be able to purchase bricks to honor family, friends or loved ones that have died.

Councilors also authorized up to $200,000 for the “Clinton Square Eternal Flame Project,” an initiative to design and construct an eternal flame monument to commemorate victims of violence.

The monument’s purpose is to serve as a place of remembrance for the families, friends and victims of all forms of violence, according to the council’s Tuesday agenda. The monument will feature a “flame-like ambiance,” symbolically lighting up the area.

The council also voted unanimously to authorize an agreement with the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to support infrastructure improvements, playgrounds and recreation equipment in the downtown district. The grant includes up to $500,000 in funding, with a 50% match provided by the city’s Parks, Recreation & Youth Programs. The city’s match is contributed by the Park Capital Improvement Program Downtown Revitalization.

The program aims to improve several aspects of Syracuse’s parks and recreation, including urban forest restoration, pool improvements, neighborhood park improvements and the planting of around 300 trees each year.

The council approved an agreement with Marsh Mill Ranch to provide meat processing services for all deer culled as part of Syracuse’s Tick and Deer Management Plan. The plan aims to address public health and safety issues caused by deer overpopulation, including lyme disease and deer-vehicle accidents, through the targeted removal of deer.

After Marsh Mill Ranch processes the deer meat, the venison will then be donated to homeless shelters at no cost to the city. Under the agreement, the ranch will offer these services from Dec. 1 to April 30, 2025.

Other business:

• The council again delayed its vote on the New York State Good Cause Eviction Law. The law aims at preventing landlords from price gouging, extreme rent increases and wrongful evictions to protect tenants.
• The council unanimously agreed to provide a grant of up to $2,000 to support the 2025 Syracuse Youth Advisory Council in an effort to advance students’ engagement with the program. The initiative includes a four-day, hands-on experience for students to learn about state and local government, community development projects and issues affecting the city.

Published on November 12, 2024 at 9:31 pm