The Syracuse City Council has approved a plan to turn over 28 acres of the "inner harbor" for private development.
Earlier this year, the City heard from a number of developers interested in transforming the harbor which is on the southern end of Onondaga Lake. COR Development won the contest with its $350 million vision which includes a complex of housing and commercial development, a hotel and a satellite campus for OCC. Steve Aiello of COR Development told reporters, "I'm just excited. I think it's a great project for the city. We're excited to take it on."
Over the decades, the State of New York, which used to own the inner harbor, dumped tons of contaminated material which was dredged from the bottom of the marina onto land next to what is now a picturesque creekwalk. As part of the project, COR will clean out about 217 thousand yards of contaminated soil at a cost of $9.7 million.
Councilor Pat Hogan who was on the committee which selected COR for the inner harbor has no doubt the pollution will be properly addressed, "I'm confident they're going to take care of it. Obviously they're going to end up with it... so it behooves them to take care of it."
Councilors also wanted assurances the public would still have access to the inner harbor which has become a popular spot for concerts and nature walks. "To me public access is key... all that is a really good piece of property. people who live in the City of Syracuse should have an opportunity to use it and take full benefit." said Councilor Jean Kessner.
Aiello assured lawmakers that the public will still have access to the inner harbor along with some new public features including a marina and boathouse.
