U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer addresses the media about Second Phase of Inner Harbor Project Wednesday
/ Jim Kenyon
SYRACUSE -- Following the completion of Phase one, the Inner Harbor Project faces the possibility of a snag which threatens to stall the $350 million dollar development.
After removing 100,000 yards of low-level contaminated soil, the COR development company is prepared to begin construction that would create Syracuse's newest neighborhood, just south of the shores of Onondaga Lake. But before that can begin, the developer says it needs public investment in infrastructure for sewer and water lines as well as roads and street lighting.
Realizing that the city of Syracuse is facing a financial crisis, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer announced Wednesday he will seek $2 million dollars in federal economic development grants, which he says will jump start the second stage of this project.
Following the completion of Phase one, the Inner Harbor Project faces the possibility of a snag which threatens to stall the $350 million dollar development.
Schumer's announcement follows Monday's vote by the Syracuse Common Council to apply for the grants from the economic development administration.
Schumer told reporters the money will go toward constructions of two new roads between Bear and West Kirkpatrick Streets, as well as water, sewer, gas and electric lines.
When asked if the federal government can afford to be handing out grants for a development project in Syracuse, Schumer replied "If we don't get it here, the money would go somewhere else."
Schumer also pointed out that the federal government will benefit from the project because he says the grant money will generate economic activity.
