Syracuse, New York

Syracuse
City
Downtown Syracuse Green Lakes State Park JMA Wireless Dome Clinton Square Hanover Square Columbus Circle Historic District South Salina Street Downtown Historic District Panorama of Columbus Circle Historic District
Flag Seal
Nickname: The Salt City
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Coordinates:43°02′49″N76°08′40″W / 43.04694°N 76.14444°W /43.04694; -76.14444
Country	United States
State	New York
Region	Central New York
Metro	Syracuse Metropolitan Statistical Area
County	Onondaga
Incorporated (village)	1825; 199 years ago(1825)
Incorporated (city)	1847; 177 years ago(1847)
Named for	Syracuse, Sicily
Government
• Type	Strong mayor-council
•Mayor	Ben Walsh(I)
•Common Council	Members' List President: • Helen Hudson (D) At Large Members: • Khalid Bey (D) • Michael Greene (D) • Timothy Rudd (D) • Steve Thompson (D) • D1: Joseph Carni (R) • D2: Patrick Hogan (D) • D3: Susan Boyle (D) • D4: Latoya Allen (D) • D5: Joe Driscoll (D)
Area [1]
•City	25.64 sq mi (66.41 km2)
• Land	25.06 sq mi (64.90 km2)
• Water	0.58 sq mi (1.51 km2) 2.15%
Elevation	380–440 ft (116–135 m)
Population ( 2020)
•City	148,620
• Density	5,930.80/sq mi (2,289.88/km2)
•Urban	413,660 (US:102nd)
• Urban density	2,291.3/sq mi (884.7/km2)
•Metro	662,057 (US:91st)
•CSA	738,305 (US:72nd)
	[2]
Demonym	Syracusan
Time zone	UTC−5(Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4(Eastern Daylight Time)
ZIP Code	132xx
Area codes	315,680
FIPS code	36-73000
GNISfeature ID	0966966
Website	syr.gov

Syracuse(/ˈsɪrəkjuːz,ˈsɛr-,-kjuːs/SIRR-ə-kewz,SERR-, -⁠kewss)^[3][4][5]is acityin, and thecounty seatof,Onondaga County, New York, United States. With a population of 148,620 and ametropolitan areaof 662,057,^[6]it is the fifth-most populated city and 13th-most populated municipality in the state ofNew York.^[a]

Formally established in 1820, Syracuse was named after the classical Greek citySyracuse(Siracusain Italian), a city on the eastern coast of the Italian island ofSicily, for its similar natural features. It has historically functioned as a majorcrossroads, first between theErie Canaland its branch canals, then of therailway network. Today, the city is at the intersection of Interstates81and90, and itsairportis the largest inCentral New York, a five-county region of over one million inhabitants.

Syracuse is the economic and educational hub of Central New York. It hosts a number of convention sites, including a largedowntown convention complex, and is home to prominent institutions such asSyracuse University,SUNY Upstate Medical University,SUNY ESF, andLe Moyne College.

French missionaries were the first Europeans to come to this area, arriving to work with and convert the Native Americans in the mid-17th century. At the invitation of theOnondaga Nation, one of the five nations of theIroquois Confederacy, a Jesuit priest by the name ofSimon Le Moyne, accompanied by soldiers andcoureurs des bois, includingPierre Esprit Radisson, set up a mission, known asSte. Marie de Gannentahaon the northeast shore ofOnondaga Lake.

Jesuit missionaries reported salty brine springs around the southern end of what they referred to as "Salt Lake", known today as Onondaga Lake in honor of the historic tribe. French fur traders established trade throughout the New York area among the Iroquois. Dutch and English colonists also were traders, and the English nominally claimed the area, from their upstate base atAlbany, New York. During theAmerican Revolutionary War, the highly decentralized Iroquois divided into groups and bands that supported the British, and two tribes that supported the American-born rebels, or patriots.

Settlers came into central and western New York from eastern parts of the state and New England after the American Revolutionary War and various treaties with and land sales by Native American tribes.^[7]The subsequent designation of this area by the state of New York as the Onondaga Salt Springs Reservation provided the basis for commercial salt production. Such production took place from the late 1700s through the early 1900s. Brine from wells that tapped into halite (common salt) beds in the Salina shale nearTully, New York, 15 miles south of the city, was developed in the 19th century.^[8][9]It is the north-flowing brine from Tully that is the source of salt for the "salty springs" found along the shoreline of Onondaga Lake. The rapid development of this industry in the 18th and 19th centuries led to the nicknaming of this area as "The Salt City".

The original settlement of Syracuse was a conglomeration of several small towns and villages and was not recognized with a post office by theUnited States Government. Establishing the post office was delayed because the settlement did not have a name. Joshua Forman wanted to name the villageCorinth. WhenJohn Wilkinsonapplied for a post office in that name in 1820, it was denied because the same name was already in use inSaratoga County, New York.^[10]Having read a poetic description ofSyracuse, Sicily(Siracusa), Wilkinson saw similarities to the lake and salt springs of this area, which had both "salt and freshwater mingling together".^[11]On February 4, 1820, Wilkinson proposed the name "Syracuse" to a group of fellow townsmen; it became the name of the village and the new post office.^[12]

The firstSolvay Process Companyplant in the United States was erected on the southwestern shore of Onondaga Lake in 1884. The village was calledSolvayto commemorate the inventorErnest Solvay. In 1861, he developed theammonia-soda processfor the manufacture of soda ash (anhydrous sodium carbonate) from brine wells dug in the southern end ofTullyvalley (as a source of sodium chloride) and limestone (as a source of calcium carbonate). The process was an improvement over the earlier Leblanc process. The Syracuse Solvay plant was the incubator for a large chemical industry complex owned byAllied Signalin Syracuse. While this industry stimulated development and provided many jobs in Syracuse, it left Onondaga Lake as the most polluted in the nation.

The salt industry declined after the Civil War, but a new manufacturing industry arose in its place. Throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s, numerous businesses and stores were established, including theFranklin Automobile Company, which produced the first air-cooled engine in the world; theCentury Motor Vehicle Company; theSmith Coronacompany; and the Craftsman Workshops, the center ofGustav Stickley's handmade furniture empire.

On March 24, 1870, Syracuse University was founded. The State of New York granted the new university its own charter, independent ofGenesee College, which had unsuccessfully tried to move to Syracuse the year before.^[13]The university was founded as coeducational. President Peck stated at the opening ceremonies, "The conditions of admission shall be equal to all persons... there shall be no invidious discrimination here against woman.... brains and heart shall have a fair chance..."^[14]Syracuse implemented this policy and attracted a high proportion of women students. In the College of Liberal Arts, the ratio between male and female students during the 19th century was approximately even. The College of Fine Arts was predominantly female, and a low ratio of women enrolled in the College of Medicine and the College of Law.^[14]

The firstNew York State Fairwas held in Syracuse in 1841.^[15]Between 1842 and 1889, the Fair was held among 11 New York cities before finding a permanent home in Syracuse. It has been an annual event since then, except between 1942 and 1947, when the grounds were used as a military base during World War II,^[15]and in 2020, due to the outbreak of theCOVID-19 pandemic.

As part of the racial incidents happening all over the country during the1919 Red Summer, on July 31, 1919, there was aviolent riotbetween white and black workers of the Syracuse Globe Malleable Iron Works.

Syracuse is home to the only "green on top"traffic light. The "green on top" traffic light was installed in 1928 as a result of local youths throwing rocks at the "British red" light that was originally on top. These locals became known as "stonethrowers" and the neighborhood now has theTipperary Hill Heritage Memorialon the corner of Tompkins Street and Milton Avenue to commemorate this history.^[16]

World War II stimulated significant industrial expansion in the area: of specialty steel, fasteners, and custom machining. After the war, two of the Big Three automobile manufacturers (General MotorsandChrysler) had major operations in the area. Syracuse was also headquarters forCarrier Corporation, andCrouse-Hindsmanufactured traffic signals in the city.General Electric, with its headquarters inSchenectadyto the east, had its main television manufacturing plant at Electronics Parkway in Syracuse.

The manufacturing industry in Syracuse began to falter in the 1970s, as the industry restructured nationwide. Many small businesses failed during this time, which contributed to the already increasing unemployment rate. Rockwell International moved its factory outside New York state. General Electric moved its television manufacturing operations toSuffolk, Virginia, and later offshore to Asia. The Carrier Corporation moved its headquarters out of Syracuse, relocated its manufacturing operations out of state, and outsourced some of its production to Asian facilities. Although the city population has declined since 1950, the Syracuse metropolitan area population has remained fairly stable, growing by 2.5% since 1970. While this growth rate is greater than much of Upstate New York, it is far below the national average during that period.

The Syracuse Community Grid project is a 2023 highway teardown project taking place in Downtown Syracuse, with the goal of improving the city.^[17]

• 
  Historic Clinton Square
• 
  Erie Canalin Syracuse
• 
  Salina Street
• 
  Fayette Street

Syracuse is located at43°2′49″N76°8′40″W / 43.04694°N 76.14444°W /43.04694; -76.14444(43.046899, −76.144423).^[18]It is located about 87 miles (140 km) east ofRochester, 150 miles (240 km) east ofBuffalo, and 145 miles (230 km) west of the state capital,Albany. It is also the halfway point between New York City andToronto, about 245 miles (390 km) from each, Toronto to the northwest and NYC to the southeast.

According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 66 square kilometres (25.6 square miles), of which 65 square kilometres (25.1 square miles) is land and 1.6 square kilometres (0.6 square miles) (2.15%) water.

The city developed at the northeast corner of theFinger Lakesregion. The city has many neighborhoods that were originally independent villages, which joined the city over the years. Although the central part of Syracuse is flat, many of its neighborhoods are on small hills such asUniversity HillandTipperary Hill. Land to the north of Syracuse is generally flat, while land to the south is hilly.

About 27% of Syracuse's land area is covered by 890,000 trees — a higher percentage than inAlbany,Rochester, orBuffalo. TheLabor Day Stormof 1998 was aderechothat destroyed approximately 30,000 trees. Thesugar mapleaccounts for 14.2% of Syracuse's trees, followed by theNorthern white cedar(9.8%) and theEuropean buckthorn(6.8%). The most common street tree is theNorway maple(24.3%), followed by thehoney locust(9.3%).

The densest tree cover in Syracuse is in the two Valley neighborhoods, where 46.6% of the land is covered by trees. The lowest tree cover percentage is found in the densely developeddowntown, which has only 4.6% trees.^[19]

Syracuse's main water source isSkaneateles Lake, one of the country's cleanest lakes,^[20]located 15 mi (24 km) southwest of the city. Water from nearbyOnondaga Lakeis not potable due to industrial dumping that spanned many decades, leaving the lake heavily polluted.^[21]Incoming water is left unfiltered,^[22]and chlorine is added to prevent bacterial growth. Most of the environmental work to achieve lake cleanup was scheduled to be completed by 2016; howeverHoneywell, the company tasked with the cleanup, announced the project's completion in late 2017.^[23][24]For periods of drought, there is also a backup line which uses water fromLake Ontario.^[25]

Onondaga Creek, a waterway that runs through downtown, flows northward through the city. TheOnondaga Creekwalkborders this, connecting theLakefront,Inner Harbor,Franklin SquareandArmory Squareneighborhoods. The creek continues through theValleyand ultimately to theOnondaga Nation. The creek is navigable, but it can be a challenge. Its channelized nature speeds up its flow, particularly in the spring, when it may be dangerous. After some youngsters drowned in the creek, some residential areas fenced-off the creek in their neighborhoods.

• 
  Onondaga Creekwalk
• 
  Green Lakes State Park
• 
  Green Lakes State Park
• 
  Winter in Syracuse

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The City of Syracuse officially recognizes 26neighborhoodswithin its boundaries. Some of these have small additional neighborhoods and districts inside of them. In addition, Syracuse also owns and operatesSyracuse Hancock International Airporton the territory of four towns north of the city.

Syracuse's neighborhoods reflect the historically ethnic and multicultural population. Traditionally, Irish, Polish and Ukrainian Americans settled on its west side (seeTipperary Hill); Jewish Americans on its east side; German and Italian Americans on the north side; and African-Americans on its south side. In recent years, large numbers of refugees from the Middle East have settled mainly on the north side as well.

Syracuse has ahot-summer humid continental climate(Dfa), as mean July temperatures are just above the 71.6 °F (22.0 °C) threshold needed for a hot-summer climate. The city is known for its high snowfall, 115.6 inches (2.94 meters) on average;^[26]Syracuse receives the most annual average snow of any metropolitan area in the United States.^[27][28]Syracuse usually wins theGolden Snowball Awardamong Upstate cities. Its record seasonal (July 1 to June 30 of the following year) snowfall so far is 192.1 in (4.88 m) during the winter of 1992–93, while the snowiest calendar month was January 2004, with 78.1 in (1.98 m) accumulated.^[29]The high snowfall is a result of the city receiving both heavy snow from thelake effectof nearbyLake Ontario(of the Great Lakes) andnor'eastersnow from storms driven from the Atlantic Ocean. Snow most often falls in small (about 1–3 inches or 2.5–7.6 centimetres), almost daily doses, over a period of several days. Larger snowfalls do occur occasionally, and even more so in the northern suburbs.

TheBlizzard of 1993was described as the Storm of the Century. Some 42.9 in (109 cm) fell on the city within 48 hours, with 35.6 in (90 cm) falling within the first 24 hours. Syracuse received more snow than any other city in the country during this storm, which shattered a total of eight local records, including the most snow in a single snowstorm.^[30]A second notable snowfall was theBlizzard of 1966, with 42.3 in (107 cm). The Blizzard of '58 occurred in February (16–17th) across Oswego and Onondaga counties. This storm was classified as a blizzard due to the high winds, blowing snow, and cold; 26.1 in (66 cm) of snow was measured at Syracuse and drifts reached 20 ft (6.1 m) in Oswego County. (See Thirtieth Publication of the Oswego County Historical Society, (1969) and The Climate and Snow Climatology of Oswego N.Y., (1971)

Syracuse on average receives an annual precipitation of 38.47 inches (977 millimeters), with the months of July through September being the wettest in terms of total precipitation,^[29]while precipitation occurs on more days each month during the snow season.^[31]

The normal monthly mean temperature ranges from 23.6 °F (−4.7 °C) in January to 71.3 °F (21.8 °C) in July.^[29]The record high of 102 °F (39 °C) was recorded on July 9, 1936, and the record low of −26 °F (−32 °C) has occurred three times since 1942, the last being February 18, 1979.^[29]

In the early 21st century, a handful of previous heat records have been broken in the city. For example, July 2020 became the hottest month on record, with a mean temperature of 77.1 °F (25.1 °C), while the summers (June–August) of 2005, 2020, and 2012 were, respectively, the hottest, third-hottest, and fourth-hottest summers on record.^[32][33]Additionally, 2017 and 2018 saw consecutive monthly high temperature records broken in February, of 71 °F (22 °C) on February 24, 2017,^[34]and 75 °F (24 °C) on February 21, 2018,^[35]in addition to four consecutive days at or above 60 °F (16 °C).^[34]The latter was the warmest winter day on record.^[35]

Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricatorand on MediaWiki.org.

See or editraw graph data.

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1850	22,271		—
1860	28,119		26.3%
1870	43,051		53.1%
1880	51,792		20.3%
1890	88,143		70.2%
1900	108,374		23.0%
1910	137,249		26.6%
1920	171,717		25.1%
1930	209,326		21.9%
1940	205,967		−1.6%
1950	220,583		7.1%
1960	216,038		−2.1%
1970	197,208		−8.7%
1980	170,105		−13.7%
1990	163,855		−3.7%
2000	146,070		−10.9%
2010	145,170		−0.6%
2020	148,620		2.4%
Historical Population Figures[38]2020[2]

Syracuse city, New York – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.

Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic)	Pop 2000[39]	Pop 2010[40]	Pop 2020[41]	% 2000	% 2010	% 2020
Whitealone (NH)	91,928	76,653	68,206	62.41%	52.80%	45.89%
Black or African Americanalone (NH)	36,246	40,672	43,568	24.61%	28.02%	29.32%
Native AmericanorAlaska Nativealone (NH)	1,538	1,390	1,170	1.04%	0.96%	0.79%
Asianalone (NH)	4,929	7,971	10,346	3.35%	5.49%	6.96%
Pacific Islanderalone (NH)	54	37	57	0.04%	0.03%	0.04%
Some Other Racealone (NH)	350	303	897	0.24%	0.21%	0.60%
Mixed Race or Multi-Racial(NH)	4,493	6,108	8,751	3.05%	4.21%	5.89%
Hispanic or Latino(any race)	7,768	12,036	15,625	5.27%	8.29%	10.51%
Total	147,306	145,170	148,620	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

As of the census of 2010,^[42]there were 145,170 people, 57,355 households, and 28,455 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 56.0%White, 29.5%African American, 1.1%Native American, 5.5%Asian, 0.03%Pacific Islander, 2.7% fromother races, and 5.1% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoresidents of any race were 8.3% of the population.

The largest ancestries includeItalian(29.5%),Irish(18.4%),Polish(15.3%),German(9.6%),English(4.5%), andSlovak(3.6%).^[43]Non-Hispanic Whites were 52.8% of the population in 2010,^[44]down from 87.2% in 1970.^[45]Suburbanization attracted residents outside the city, even as new immigrant and migrant groups increased.

There were 57,355 households, out of which 29% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 9.3% were married couples living together, 20.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.4% were non-families. 38.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 3.14.

The city's age distribution was as follows: 19% of residents were under the age of 15, 23% from 15 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 91 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.89 males.

According to the 2014 estimates from the American Community Survey, the median income for a household in the city was $31,566, and the median income for a family was $38,794. Males had a median income of $39,537 versus $33,983 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,283. About 28.2% of families and 35.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 50% of those under age 18 and 16.7% of those age 65 and over.

As of 2017, the United States Census Bureau indicated an estimated population of 146,396.

Syracuse ranks 50th in the United States fortransit ridershipand 12th formost pedestrian commuters. Each day, 38,332 people commute intoOnondaga Countyfrom the four adjoining counties (2006).^[46]

In the results of the 2020 Census, Syracuse experienced population growth for the first time in over 70 years, having grown 2.4% since the 2010 count.^[47]

Work Area Profile Report^[48]

Worker Age

	Count	Share(%)
Age 29 or younger	22,597	22.6
Age 30 to 54	53,867	53.8
Age 55 or older	23,694	23.7

Earnings

per month	Count	Share(%)
$1,250 or less	23,734	23.7
$1,251 to $3,333	30,833	30.8
More than $3,333	45,591	45.5

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Religion[49]	% of Population
Percent religious	56.0%
Catholicism	36.2%
Other Christian	16.3%
Islam	1.4%
Eastern religion (Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism)	1.2%
Judaism	0.9%

Christianity:Most Christians in Syracuse are Catholic, reflecting the influence of 19th and early 20th-century immigration patterns, when numerous Irish, German, Italian and eastern European Catholics settled in the city. The city has theRoman CatholicCathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Syracuse is also home to the combinednovitiateof the United States Northeast (UNE) and Maryland Provinces of theSociety of Jesus(Jesuits). The historicBasilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesusis located near downtown (Roman Catholic, with Mass, offered in English and Polish).Tridentine Massis offered multiple times a week at Transfiguration Parish in theEastsideneighborhood.^[50]

Another major historic church is theEpiscopalSt. Paul's Cathedral. Both cathedrals are located atColumbus Circle. They represent their respectivedioceses, theDiocese of Syracuse(Roman Catholic) and theDiocese of Central New York(Episcopal).

TheAssembly of God, the American Baptist Churches of the US, theSouthern Baptist Convention, and theUnited Church of Christare other Protestant denominations, and they have their state offices in the Greater Syracuse area. The dozens of churches in Syracuse include Seventh-Day Adventist,Eastern Orthodox,Jehovah's Witness,Christian Science,Reformed Presbyterian, and Metaphysical Christian.

Buddhism:Buddhism is represented by theZen Center of Syracuseon the Seneca Turnpike; as well as a center on Park Street, on the city's Northside.

Hinduism:Hinduhouses of worship include the Hindu Mandir of Central New York in Liverpool.

Islam:TheIslamic Society of Central New York Mosqueis located on Comstock Avenue and Muhammad's Study Group on West Kennedy Street.

Judaism:Several synagogues are located in the Syracuse metropolitan area, including Beth Shalom-Chevra Chas, Temple Adath Yeshurun, Shaarei Torah Orthodox Congregation of Syracuse, andTemple Concord, considered the ninth-oldest Jewish house of worship in the United States.^[51]

Sikhism:Thegurdwarais at the Sikh Foundation of Syracuse, inLiverpool.

Unitarian Universalism:TwoUnitarian Universalistsocieties in Syracuse: May Memorial Unitarian Society and First Unitarian Universalist Society of Syracuse.

• 
  Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
• 
  Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
• 
  Assumption Church
• 
  St. John the Baptist Greek Catholic Church
• 
  First Baptist Church
• 
  Saint Paul's Episcopal Cathedral

Formerly a manufacturing center, Syracuse's economy has faced challenges over the past decades as industrial jobs have left the area. The number of local and state government jobs also has been declining for several years. Syracuse's top employers now are primarily in higher education, research, health care andservices; some high-tech manufacturing remains.University Hillis Syracuse's fastest-growing neighborhood, fueled by expansions bySyracuse UniversityandUpstate Medical University(a division of theState University of New York), as well as dozens of small medical office complexes.

Micron Technologyplans to spend up to $100 billion building a mega-complex of computer chip plants inSyracuse's northern suburbs, about a 15-minute drive fromdowntown Syracuse, in what would be the largest single private investment inNew Yorkhistory.^[52]

Micron Technology announced it will begin construction in 2024.^[53]Micron'sClaymega-complex ofmemory chipfabswould create up to 9,000 direct jobs and additional 40,000 supply-chain and construction jobs over the next 20 years in Syracuse area.^[54]In Phase 1, the company will spend $20 billion to build its first plant, which it estimates will require about 5,000 workers for construction and initially employ about 3,000 manufacturing workers.^[55]

Micron's Syracuse investment was influenced by passage of theCHIPS and Science Act. Through the CHIPs and Science Act,Congressand theBiden administrationestablished a powerful investment platform with the potential to expand the region's productive capacity for decades.

Top employers in the Syracuse region and the size of their workforce include the following:^[56][57]

• State University of New York Upstate Medical University: 10,959^[58]
• Syracuse University: 5,700^[59]
• St. Joseph's Health (Syracuse, New York)(Trinity Health): 4,755
• WegmansFood Markets: 3,713^[57]
• Crouse Hospital: 3,100^[56]
• Amazon2,500^[60]
• Loretto (elder care services): 2,476^[61]
• Lockheed Martin Corp.: 2,300^[62]
• National Grid USA: 2,200^[56]
• Carrier Corporation: 1,552^[56]
• SRC Inc1500^[63]
• Syracuse VA Medical Center (Veterans Health): 1,400^[57]
• Baxter(Welch Allyn) 1000^[64]

Since 1927 theState Tower Buildinghas been the tallest in Syracuse.

Name	Height	Floors	Use	Built
State Tower Building	95 m	23	Office	1928
AXA Tower I	82 m	19	Commercial office	1966
AXA Tower II	82 m	19	Commercial office	1971

In addition to the dominantDestiny USAshopping mall in Syracuse's Lakefront neighborhood, many of the city's more traditional neighborhoods continue to have active business districts:

• Downtown:Armory Squarehas replaced South Salina Street as the main retail and dining area of Downtown Syracuse. Armory Square has around 30 dining establishments, around 20 pubs, bars and clubs, and over 50 other retail stores. Similarly, but on a smaller scale, there is theHanover Squarearea.
• Eastwood:Calling itself "the village within the city", this former village still has a retail corridor along James Street.
• Little Italy:A neighborhood with Italian origins, Little Italy (part of theNear Northeastneighborhood) has several blocks of bakeries, restaurants, pizzerias, shops, and services. Before large-scale Italian immigration, this neighbourhood was heavily populated by German immigrants.^[65]
• Sedgwick Farms:An affluent neighborhood on the northeast side of the city near Eastwood containing many architecturally-distinct, large, classic homes including aSears Home^[66]designed by many noted architects. The neighborhood has historically been home to city leaders, state politicians, and leaders in Syracuse's industry and economy.
• Strathmore:A neighborhood on the southwest of the city that largely features well-maintained older, residential homes, including some designed byWard Wellington Ward. There are several buildings listed on theNational Register of Historic Places. The neighborhood is anchored byHiawatha lakeinOnondaga Park.
• University Hill:Marshall Street, along with its terminus South Crouse Avenue, is lined with stores, bars, and restaurants, primarily catering to the student population on "The Hill", as well as the over 25,000 people who work there daily. East Genesee Street at the northwestern corner of the neighborhood has several retail establishments, as well.
• Westcott:This neighborhood east of University Hill is inhabited by a wide variety of people, increasingly including some college students as the university grows but still primarily local families and residents. Single-family homes and two-unit apartments comprise the majority of housing. Westcott is known as a bohemian and liberal quarter, and each September hosts the Westcott Street Cultural Fair. The main business district is on Westcott Street between Beech and Dell streets and includes restaurants, bars, a consignment shop, and other businesses.

• 
  Armory Square
• 
  Columbus Circle, Syracuse, NY
• 
  Franklin Square, Syracuse
• 
  Franklin Square
• 
  Buildings in Downtown
• 
  Gere Bank Building
• 
  Hotel Syracuse Downtown
• 
  South Salina Street Downtown Historic District
• 
  South Salina Street Downtown Historic District
• 
  The Amos Blockbuilding in downtown

Livejazzmusic is the centerpiece of two annual outdoor festivals in Syracuse, theSyracuse Jazz Festival, Polish Festival as well as the CNY Jazz Arts Foundation's Jazz in the Square Festival. Performers in the last five years have includedChuck Mangione,Joshua Redman,Smokey Robinson,Branford Marsalis,The Bad Plus,Randy Brecker,Stanley Clarke,Jimmy Heath,Terrence Blanchard,Slide Hampton,Bobby Watson,Dr. John, andAretha Franklin. The Polish Festival hosted Grammy winnersJimmy Sturrand his Orchestra, Polish music legendStan BorysandIrena Jarocka, Grammy nomineeLenny Goumulka, LynnMarie, Dennis Polisky & The Maestro's Men, The Buffalo Touch Polka Band featuring Jerry Darlak, and The John Gora Band.

Syracuse was home to the 75-memberSyracuse Symphony Orchestra(SSO), founded in 1961.^[67]The SSO's former music directors includeDaniel Hege,^[68]Frederik Prausnitz^[69]andKazuyoshi Akiyama.^[70]The orchestra performed over 200 concerts annually for an audience of over 250,000.^[71]The SSO filed forChapter 7 Bankruptcyin 2011 and was replaced by the Syracuse Symphoria in 2013.^[72]

TheClinton String Quartethas been active for over 15 years and is based in the Syracuse area. All four members were also members of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra.

The Syracuse Friends of Chamber Music for more than a half century have presented a series of concerts by variouschamberensembles.

TheSociety for New Music, founded in 1971, is the oldestnew musicorganization in the state outside of New York City, and the only year-round new music group inupstate New York. The Society commissions at least one new work each year from a regional composer who awards the annual Brian Israel Prize to a promising composer under 30 years of age and produces the weekly "Fresh Ink" radio broadcast forWCNY-FM.

The Syracuse Opera Company is a professional company that generally performs three operas each season. Founded in 1963 as the Opera Chorus of theSyracuse Symphony Orchestra, it became independent in 1973. In addition to full performances, it offers several free outdoor concerts each year inArmory Square,Thornden Park, and elsewhere. The company has an annual budget of US$1 million and is the only professional opera company in upstate New York.

The Syracuse Shakespeare Festival is a charitable, educational, not-for-profit corporation dedicated to performing the works of William Shakespeare. It was founded in 2002 and is best known for its annual free Shakespeare-in-the-Park program at the Thornden Park Amphitheatre that has attracted more than 12,000 people since its inception.

Syracuse Stagepresents experimental and creative theater; a number of its productions have been world premieres and have moved toBroadway.^{[citation needed]}The venue was designed by its most famous former artistic directorArthur Storch. Its artistic director is Robert Hupp.

The Red House Arts Center, which opened in 2004, is a small theater housed in a converted hotel that offers performances by local, national, and international artists, and hosts regular exhibits in its art gallery, and screenings ofindependent films.

Syracuse is also known for a large contemporary music scene, particularly in theheavy metal,hardcore,ska, andpunk rockgenres.^[73][74]From 1997 to 2003, Syracuse (or its suburbs) was home toHellfest, a major hardcore music festival.

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• Everson Museum of Art, which opened in 1968 in a building designed byI.M. Pei, features one of the most extensive pottery collections in the United States along with works ofAmerican art, dating from the 18th century to the present. This collection includes paintings, sculptures, drawings, photography, and video.
• Erie Canal Museumis a museum dedicated to preserving the history of theErie Canaland its role in Syracuse's growth.
• International Mask and Puppet Museumis a museum inLittle Italyfocusing on masks and puppets, the latter of which are also used in educational performances for children.
• Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technologyis a museum in theArmory Squareneighborhood that features exhibits in science and technology.
• Onondaga Historical Association Museum & Research Center, at 321 Montgomery Streetdowntown, features exhibits on the past of the Syracuse region and contains historical archives relating to the area's history. Its exhibits include a presentation of the history of theUnderground Railroad.
• Syracuse and Onondaga County Fire Museum, will occupy the space of the former Syracuse Fire Department fire station 4 on Wolf Street, built in the 1800s (plans announced October 2020).^[75]

Onondaga County Public Library(OCPL) operates Syracuse's public libraries.^[76]Including the Central Library, ten city libraries, and 21 independent libraries in suburban Onondaga County.^[77]A library card from any OCPL library will work at any of the other OCPL libraries.^[78]

City libraries^[79]

Suburban libraries^[80]

• 
  Syracuse University
• 
  Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
• 
  Syracuse University
• 
  Joe Bidenspeaking at Syracuse University
• 
  Upstate Medical University

TheSyracuse City School District^[81]consists of 34 schools and 4 alternative education programs.^[82]In the 2014–2015 school year, the K-12 enrollment was 20,084.^[83]15% of students were classified as English Language Learners, 20% as students with disabilities, and 77% as economically disadvantaged.^[83]The drop-out rate was 6%.^[83]Syracuse City School District is collaborating withSay Yes to Educationwith the goal of every public school student graduating high school with the preparation and support to attain, afford, and complete a college or other postsecondary education.^[84]They are also one of the "Big 5," which consists of the five New York State School districts with populations over 125,000.^[85]"Big 5" school budgets are approved by annually by the Board of Education and city government as opposed to voters in an annual vote.^[85]

One of Syracuse's major research universities isSyracuse University, located onUniversity Hill. It had an enrollment of 22,484 for the 2017–2018 academic year.^[86]Immediately adjacent to Syracuse University are two doctoral-degree granting universities, theSUNY Upstate Medical UniversityandSUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Both institutions have long-standing ties to Syracuse University. Upstate Medical University is also one of Syracuse's major research universities and is one of only about 125 academic medical centers in the country. The medical university directly generates 10,959 jobs, making it Central New York's largest employer.^[58]In addition, theNorton College of Medicineat SUNY Upstate is the onlymedical schoolin the Central New York region providing state of the art education to over 700+ students.

Also serving Syracuse areLe Moyne Collegeon the city's eastern border, andOnondaga Community College, which has its main campus in the adjacentTown of Onondagaand has two smaller campuses, downtown and inLiverpool. A branch of SUNY'sEmpire State Collegeis in downtown Syracuse, along with a campus of the nationwideBryant & Stratton College. There are also the Pomeroy College of Nursing at Crouse Hospital and St. Joseph's College of Nursing.

Other colleges and universities in the area includeCornell UniversityandIthaca CollegeinIthaca,Hamilton CollegeinClinton,Oswego State CollegeinOswego,SUNY CortlandinCortland,Morrisville State CollegeinMorrisville,Colgate UniversityinHamilton,Cazenovia CollegeinCazenovia(closed 2023),Wells CollegeinAurora, and bothUtica CollegeandSUNY Institute of TechnologyinUtica.

The City of Syracuse maintains over 170 parks, fields, and recreation areas, totaling over 1,000 acres (4.0 km²).^[87]Burnet Parkincludes the first public golf course in the United States (1901) andRosamond Gifford Zoo. Other major parks includeThornden Park, Schiller Park, Sunnycrest Park,Onondaga Parkand Kirk Park. There are 12 public pools, two public ice rinks (Sunnycrest and Meachem), and two public nine-hole golf courses (Burnet and Sunycrest Parks) in the city. Onondaga Park, located in the historic Strathmore neighborhood, features Hiawatha Lake, and a beautiful gazebo, often used for prom photos and wedding shoots.

Right outside the city proper, along the east side and north end ofOnondaga Lake, isOnondaga Lake Park. The adjacent Onondaga Lake Parkway is closed to vehicular traffic several hours on Sundays during the summer months, so it can be used for walking, running, biking, and rollerblading. During the holiday season, the park hosts Lights on the Lake, a two-mile (3.2 km) drive-through light show.

• 
  Upper Onondaga Parkin Strathmore
• 
  Inner harbor at Onondaga Lake
• 
  Onondaga Lake Park

Club	Sport	League	Founded	Venue	League titles	Championship years
Syracuse Mets	Baseball	IL	1934	NBT Bank Stadium	8	1935, 1942, 1943, 1947, 1954, 1969, 1970, 1976
Syracuse Stallions	Basketball	TBL[88]	2018	Manlius Pebble Hill School	0	N/A
Syracuse Crunch	Ice hockey	AHL	1994	Upstate Medical University Arena	0	N/A
Syracuse FC	Soccer	NPSL	2017	Onondaga Community College	0	N/A

School	Nickname	Colors	Association	Conference
Syracuse University	Orange	Orange and blue	NCAA Division I-A	ACC
Le Moyne College	Dolphins	Green and gold	NCAA Division I	NEC
Onondaga Community College	Lazers	Carolina blueand white	NJCAADivision III	Mid-State Athletic Conference
SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry	Mighty Oaks	Green, white and gold	USCAA	HVIAC

Syracuse University sports are by far the most attended sporting events in the Syracuse area. Basketball games often draw over 30,000 fans, and football games over 40,000. The university has bred dozens of famous professional players since starting an athletics program in the late nineteenth century, including all-time greatsErnie Davis,Jim Brown,Larry CsonkaandDave Bing. Both teams play in theJMA Wireless Dome.

In addition to many former professional minor league teams, Syracuse was previously the home of several top-level pro teams, most notably theSyracuse Nationalswho played a total of 17 seasons between theNBLandNBA, and won the1955 NBA Finalsbefore moving toPhiladelphiaand becoming thePhiladelphia 76ers. Syracuse was also the home of two differentMajor League Baseballteams: theSyracuse Starsof theNational Leaguein 1879, which did not finish their first season; and theSyracuse Starsof theAmerican Associationin 1890.

The city is headed by an electedmayorwho is limited to two four-year terms. Syracuse has aStrong mayor-councilform of government. On November 7, 2017,Ben Walshwas elected mayor. He began in January 2018 as the first independent mayor of Syracuse in over 100 years.^[89]The last independent mayor of Syracuse was Louis Will, who was elected in 1913. The previous mayor was former Common Councilor at LargeStephanie Miner, who was elected on November 3, 2009; she was the first female mayor of Syracuse. Miner was preceded by former Syracuse Common Council PresidentMatthew Driscoll,^[90]who first assumed the position in 2001 after the former mayor,Roy Bernardi, resigned upon his appointment by PresidentGeorge W. Bushto a position in theDepartment of Housing and Urban Development. After serving the remaining term, Driscoll was re-elected that year, and again in 2005.

The legislative branch of Syracuse is the Syracuse Common Council. It consists of a president and nine members:^[91][92]

Hon. Helen Hudson (D) – President Hon. Amir Gethers (D) – Councilor at Large Hon. Michael Greene (D) – Councilor at Large Hon. Rasheada Caldwell (D) – Councilor at Large Hon. Rita Paniagua (D) – Councilor at Large

Hon. Jennifer Schultz (D) – 1st District Hon. Patrick Hogan (D) – 2nd District Hon. Chol Majok (D) – 3rd District Hon. Latoya Allen (D) – 4th District Hon. Jimmy Monto (D) – 5th District

The Onondaga County Supreme and County Court is the trial court of general jurisdiction for Syracuse. It is also the administrative court for the Fifth District of theNew York State Unified Court System. Judges for these courts are elected at-large.

TheU.S. District Courtfor theNorthern District of New Yorkalso holds court in downtown Syracuse at the James Hanley Federal Building.

syracuse.com is the most popular local media site in Central New York, according to ComScore, with an average of 3.98 Million unique users. Advance Media NY is the home of syracuse.com, which also produces the local newspaper, The Post-Standard. The two media units combined reach 422,000 in the Syracuse DMA, according to Nielsen, 2022. Advance Media NY is a digital media and marketing agency which helps businesses tell their stories in print, digital and visuals.

Syracuse is served by a number of AM and FM radio stations:

Frequency	Call sign	Format	Notes
AM570	WSYR	News/Talk	Also heard on 106.9WSYR-FM(Solvay)
AM620	WHEN	Urban adult contemporary	Also heard on 101.7 W269DT in Syracuse
AM1070	WZUN	Classic hits	Licensed toSandy Creek-Pulaski, New Yorkand heard on 106.1 W291BU inFulton(See also:WZUN-FM)
AM1200	WTLA	Sports	Also heard on 97.7 W249BC (Mattydale) and 1440 WSGO (Oswego)
AM1260	WSKO	Sports
AM1300	WOSW	Sports	Licensed toFultonand is heard on 98.5 W253BZ in Fulton
AM1340	WMBO	Classic hits	Licensed toAuburnand is heard on 106.1 W291CV in Auburn. (See also:WSEN-FMMexico)
AM1390	WFBL	Classic hits	Also heard on 107.5 W298DC inLiverpool. (See slso:WSEN-FM)
AM1440	WSGO	Sports	Licensed toOswegoand is heard on 100.1 W261AC in Oswego
AM1490	WOLF	Sports	Also heard on 92.5 W223CP in Syracuse
AM1540	WSIV	Christian radio	Licensed toEast Syracuseand is heard on 106.3 W292EY in Syracuse
AM1670	WERW	Free-form	Syracuse University
FM87.7	WVOA-LD	Sports	Licensed toWestvale(See also:WOLF)
FM88.3	WAER	Jazz/News/Sports
FM88.7	WTMI	Religious(Catholic)	Licensed toFleming
FM88.9	WNYO	College radio	Licensed toOswego
FM89.1	WJPZ-FM	Rhythmic contemporary
FM89.9	WRVO	Public radio	Licensed toOswego
FM90.1	WRCU-FM	Free-form	Licensed toFairport
FM90.3	WRVD	Public radio	Satellite ofWRVO,Oswego
FM90.5	WBXL	Variety	Licensed toBaldwinsville
FM90.5	WMVQ	Public radio	Licensed toFenner
FM91.3	WCNY-FM	Classical music
FM92.1	WOLF-FM	Country music
FM93.1	WNTQ	CHR/Top 40
FM94.5	WYYY	Adult contemporary
FM95.7	WAQX	Alternative rock
FM96.7	WCIO	Contemporary Christian	Licensed toOswego(See:WCIS-FM)
FM99.5	WTKW	Classic rock
FM100.3	WMVN	Rhythmic top 40	Licensed toSylvan Beach. Also heard on 96.5 W243AB inWestvale
FM100.9	WKRL	Active rock
FM101.7	WGKV	Contemporary Christian	Licensed toPulaski(K-Love)
FM102.1	WZUN-FM	Classic hits	Licensed toPhoenix
FM102.9	WMHN	Christian radio
FM103.3	WSPJ-LP	Community radio/Variety	Also heard on 93.7 W229CUSyracuse
FM103.9	WSEN-FM	Classic hits	Licensed toMexico, NY
FM104.7	WBBS	Country music	Licensed toFulton
FM105.1	WCIS-FM	Contemporary Christian	Licensed toDeRuyter
FM105.5	WTKW	Classic rock	Licensed toMinetto
FM105.9	WLKZ	Contemporary Christian
FM106.5	WKRH	Classic rock	Licensed toFair Haven
FM106.9	WSYR-FM	News/Talk	Licensed toSolvay
FM107.9	WWHT	CHR/Top 40

To see a complete list of radio stations in Syracuse including the surrounding area, please see:(Syracuse radio)^[93]

According toNielsen Media Research, Syracuse is the fifth largest television market in New York State and the 87th largest in the United States (as of the 2020–2021 TV season).^[94]Six major full-power stations serve the city:WSTM-TV3 (NBC),WTVH5 (CBS),WSYR-TV9 (ABC),WCNY-TV24/cable 11 (PBS),WSPX-TV56/cable 4 (Ion), andWSYT68/cable 8 (Fox). WSTM-TV also operates the area'sCWaffiliate on its DT2 subchannel and cable channel 6, and WSYT carries theMyNetworkTVaffiliation on channel 43 and cable channel 7; both stations were previouslyseparately-licensedstations before having their licenses returned to theFCC.

Additionally, networks such asCornerstone Televisionchannel 11 & 22,Univision, andMTV2are broadcast bylow-power television stations.^[95]

Syracuse University's student-run TV station isCitrusTV. CitrusTV programming is broadcast on the university campus on the Orange Television Network.

Syracuse's cable television provider isCharter Spectrum(Charter Communications acquired Time Warner Cable in 2016), which, as a part of its regular and digital offerings, provides a 24-hour local news channel (Spectrum News Central New York),public access channel, and an additionalPBSchannel. Several suburbs also have access toVerizon Fiosfor cable television.Dish NetworkandDirecTValso provide local satellite television subscribers with local broadcast stations.

Syracuse has one major daily morning newspaper,The Post-Standard. Until 2001, Syracuse also had an evening paper,The Herald-Journal. It focuses on local news throughout Central New York, and has a reporter in Washington, DC.

Before the merger with the evening paper, thePost-Standardwas named among the "10 best newspapers in America with a circulation of under 100,000" byAl NeuharthofUSA Today(run by a competing organization). Since the merger, circulation has increased to over 120,000. Even outside of its four-county delivery area, the paper is available in many convenience stores and supermarkets from theCanada–US borderto the New York–Pennsylvaniaborder. The newspaper partly caters to this audience as well, covering many stories from theIthaca,Utica, andWatertownareas. Since opening a new printing press in 2002, the paper calls itself "America's Most Colorful Newspaper," as almost every page contains color.

The Daily Orange, the newspaper ofSyracuse UniversityandSUNY ESFstudents, is read by over 20,000 people daily, and is widely distributed in theUniversity Hillneighborhood andArmory Square.The Dolphin, the weekly student newspaper ofLe Moyne Collegeis also available, read mainly by Le Moyne students.

There are other popular free newspapers, includingEagle Newspaper's downtown edition, theCity Eagle, andTable Hopping, which focuses on the restaurant and entertainment scene. Additionally, a weekly newspaper, CNY Vision, publishes news and information focusing on Syracuse's African American community.

A Hispanic-based monthly publication, called the CNY Latino newspaper, is published in Syracuse by the CNY Latino Media Consortium in both paper and online formats, and covers an area from Rochester to Albany and Watertown to Binghamton.

The Syracuse area is covered in a regional lifestyle publication calledThe Good Life, Central New York Magazine, mostly known asCentral New York Magazine. The magazine is bi-monthly (six issues per year) and offers print + digital and digital only subscriptions; it covers the greater Syracuse and Central New York area.

Central New York Magazine premiered in May 2006 and tells "positive and uniquely CNY stories." Coverage areas include local shops and small businesses, regional travel destinations, food and drink, home décor, attractions and things to do, artisans, changemakers, and area trends.

Syracuse is served by theCentral New York Regional Transportation Authority, or Centro. Centro operates bus service in Syracuse and its suburbs, as well as to outlying metropolitan area cities such asAuburn,Fulton, andOswego.

Proposed public transit projects

In 2005, local millionaire Tom McDonald proposed anaerial tramwaysystem, called Salt City Aerial Transit (S.C.A.T.), to link the university to the transportation center. The first segment from Syracuse University to downtown was estimated to cost $5 million, which McDonald planned to raise himself. Due to perceived low operating costs, the system was envisioned as running continuously.^[96]

Syracuse (station stop codeSYR) is served byAmtrak'sEmpire Service,Lake Shore Limited, andMaple Leaflines. Amtrak's station is part of theWilliam F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center.

The Empire Service runs twice daily in each direction betweenNiagara Falls, NYandNew York Penn Station, with major stops inBuffalo,Rochester, Syracuse,Utica, andAlbanyalong the way. The Maple Leaf runs once daily in each direction, and follows the same route as the Empire Service, however instead of terminating in Niagara Falls, it continues on to Toronto.

Empire ServiceandMaple Leaftrains stop at the seasonalNew York State Fair – NYF stationduring theNew York State Fair's annual run each August. The NYF Station is located along the southern part of the fairgrounds, near the historic train car display of the Central New York Chapter, of theNational Railway Historical Society.

The Lake Shore Limited runs once daily in each direction betweenChicagoandBostonor New York City (via two sections splittingAlbany-Rensselaer). It follows the same route as the Empire Service and Maple Leaf between New York City andBuffalo-Depew, where it diverges and continues on throughClevelandandToledoto Chicago.

A regional commuter rail service,OnTrack, was active from 1994 until it was discontinued in 2007 due to low ridership. Its sole route connected theCarousel Centerto southern Syracuse, often extending toJamesvillein the summer.

Greyhound Lines,Megabus,OurBus, andTrailwaysprovide long-distance bus service to destinations including New York City, Boston, Buffalo, Albany, and Toronto. Greyhound, Megabus, and Trailways use theWilliam F. Walsh Regional Transportation Centerin the northern area of the city, while OurBus stops near the campus of Syracuse University.

Syracuse is served by theSyracuse Hancock International Airportin nearbySalina, nearMattydale. The airport is named afterClarence E. Hancock, a former US Congressman representing Syracuse. The airport is served by 8 major airlines, which provide non-stop flights to important airline hubs and business centers such asAtlanta,Boston,Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit,Denver,Ft. Lauderdale,New York City,Orlando,Philadelphia,Tampa, Washington, DC, as well as connecting service to 147 foreign cities in 87 countries. Cargo carriersFedExandUPSalso serve the airport.New York Citycan be reached in under an hour flight. The City of Syracuse owns the airport and property, while a public for-benefit corporation runs the airport, the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority. The airport is protected by the 174th Attack Wing's Fire Department, and patrolled by Syracuse Airport Police Department officers.

• Interstate 81runs north–south through Syracuse, and provides access to Canada,Pennsylvaniaand points south. Itsdowntownportion is extremely narrow, only consisting of four lanes and few onramps. The highway was known as the Penn-Can Expressway when first built, leading to thePenn-Can Malland other similarly named developments. It will soon be rerouted to follow I-481's route around the city instead of going through downtown. The current route will be designated as Interstate 81 Business.^[97]
• Interstate 90, signed as theNew York State Thruwaywithin New York State, runs east–west, just north of the city. It is atoll highwaythat provides access toRochester,Buffalo,Albany, and the north–south (Interstate 87) part of the Thruway leads toNew York City.
• Interstate 690runs east–west through the city, and provides access to Interstate 90, as well as to Syracuse's northwestern and eastern suburbs. A spur off I-690 directly west of the city,NY 695, provides freeway access to the southwestern suburbs. It meets Interstate 81 in downtown Syracuse in a highly complex and incomplete intersection. Most of its routing through the city directly replaced the former elevated rail lines of theNew York Centralfour-trackmainline, a fact quite notable by the city's former main rail terminal, where the freeway spans the width between the terminal and its outermost platform. In 1981, artist Duke Epolito erected sculptures of "passengers" on the single remaining passenger platform. The piece is entitled "Waiting for the Night Train."^[98]
• Interstate 481forms an eastern loop around the city and continues to the northwest asNY 481toFultonandOswego, on the shore ofLake Ontario. The highway was built to provide rapid access to eastern suburbs after the affluent community members inManliusandFayettevillesquashed the original design to extendInterstate 690to serve the eastern suburbs. The highway is soon to be replaced in designation by Interstate 81.^[97]

Community Grid

In late May, 2023, The Community Grid project was officially approved for construction in the Syracuse. The highly controversial plan consists of removing the I-81 viaduct that runs through the downtown of the city, and replacing it with theBoulevardstyle Business Loop-81. The heavily congestedInterstate-81will be re-routed around the city onto the already existingInterstate-481. This project is estimated to cost around 2.25 billion dollars, and will be completed over a multi-year process.^[99]Construction has already begun in portions of North Syracuse at the I-81 and I-481 interchange.^[100]

TwoUS Highwaysrun through the Syracuse area:

• U.S. Highway 11(Route 223in Quebec toNew Orleans) runs north–south through Syracuse, including downtown, and it follows Salina, State, and Wolf Streets.
• U.S. Highway 20(Boston toNewport, Oregon) passes south of Syracuse.

New York State RouteExpressways:

• New York State Route 481travels fromNY 104in Oswego to the terminus of Interstate 481 north of Syracuse.
• New York State Route 690was built as an extension of Interstate 690 to serve the northwest suburbs of Syracuse. The route is a four-lane divided highway from its southern end at I-690, where it meets Interstate 90 (NYS Thruway), to its end northwest of Baldwinsville in Lysander atNY 48andNY 631.
• New York State Route 695is a short state highway west of Syracuse in the village ofSolvayinOnondaga County. The number of the highway was derived from the two highways that NY 695 links, Interstate 690 and NY 5.

New York State Routes

• New York State Route 5runs east–west through Syracuse, including downtown, and follows Erie Boulevard and West Genesee Street.
• New York State Route 80's western terminus is at NY 175 on the south side. The route follows Valley Drive.
• New York State Route 92's western terminus is in downtown Syracuse at US 11. The route follows East Genesee Street.
• New York State Route 173runs east–west through Syracuse and follows theSeneca Turnpikethrough the South Valley neighborhood.
• New York State Route 175follows South Avenue and West Kennedy Street to its eastern terminus at US 11.
• New York State Route 290's western terminus is at US 11 just north of I-81. The route follows James Street.
• New York State Route 298's western terminus is at exit 9 on I-690. The route follows Bear and Court Streets, Genant Drive and Sunset Avenue.
• New York State Route 370's eastern terminus is at US 11 in the Lakefront neighborhood. The route follows Park Street.
• New York State Route 598is a short north–south highway following Midler Avenue to its southern terminus at NY 5.

Public services such as garbage pickup, street plowing, sewage, and street and traffic maintenance are provided by the Department of Public Works (DPW).^[101]

The Syracuse water system was one of the few water systems built and operated before federal funding. The water system was constructed mainly to support the industries around Syracuse, New York. Construction of Syracuse's water system began in 1868.^[102]The water is brought in on agravity fed systemfromSkaneateles Lake, through an unfiltered system, and carried into the city. It is noted for having some of the best drinking water in the nation,^[103]due to the quality of the lake.

In 2015, the city experienced an average of at least onewater mainbreak per day. Between 2005 and 2015, the city suffered 2,000 water main breaks. Mayor Stephanie Miner estimated of the cost to fix the city's water infrastructure at $1 billion over a 10–15-year period.^[104]On February 25, 2015, Miner testified before a joint hearing of the state Assembly Ways and Means Committee and state Senate Finance Committee. Miner testified that the 2014 polar vortex contributed to the increase in Syracuse's water main break.^[105]

On March 3, the 100th water main break in Syracuse in 2015 occurred on James Street.^[106]Early in 2015, Miner lobbied the state for funding to fix the city's aging water system. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo declined to help, stating that the city should improve its economy and increase tax revenues, which would enable the city to fund their own water pipe repairs.^[107]

The Syracuse Police Department (SPD) is the principallaw enforcement agencyof the city of Syracuse, New York.^[108]For 2017–18, the police department budget was $48.5 million (equivalent to $59.3 million in 2023).^[109]Effective April 22, 2022, longtime Deputy Chief Joe Cecile is Chief of the SPD, following his predecessor Kenton Buckner's retirement.^[110]Police headquarters is in the John C. Dillon Public Safety Building at 511 South State Street.^[111]The SPD is divided into three patrol zones North (Lakefront, Northside, Eastwood, Tip Hill), South West (Strathmore, Valley, Southside, Near-Westside), and Southeast (University Area, Downtown, Meadowbrook, Eastside).^[112]

In 2019, a jury awarded Elijah Johnson $35,000 (equivalent to $41,710.27 in 2023) after he was beaten with unreasonable force by three police officers while being arrested. In addition, the city was forced to pay attorneys fees, at a total cost to taxpayers of $213,000.^[113]

Established in 2011, SPD operates a network of 521^[114]surveillance cameras called the Criminal Observation and Protection System (COPS).^[115][116]Between 2011 and 2014 more than 40 utility pole mounted cameras were installed, mainly in the Southwest and Northeast neighborhoods.^[117]The cameras were funded by federal, state, and private grants. In Summer 2014, 10 cameras were approved for installation inDowntown Syracuse, the first area not targeted because of high levels of violent crime.^[118]Live monitoring ofClinton Squarefor suspicious people during events and festivals was planned, although police agreed to a prohibition on the use of cameras to monitor protests.^[119]Twenty-five additional cameras were planned to be installed in 2016.^[116]

In spring 2017, the surveillance system was augmented with the installation ofShotSpottergunshot detection sensors. Syracuse MayorStephanie Minercited increasing public acceptance of police cameras and lower technology costs as factors in the decision.^[120]

The Syracuse Fire Department (SFD) has the responsibility of protecting the City of Syracuse from fires and other dangers. The department provides multiple services in addition to fire related calls: multi-county regional HAZ-MAT response, first response to medical and trauma calls, unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) capabilities, and teams experienced in high-angle rope, swift water, and confined space rescue operations. The Chief of Fire is Michael J. Monds.^[121]SFD headquarters is in the John C. Dillon Public Safety Building at 511 South State Street.^[111]The department has a Class 1 rating from theInsurance Services Office, which is the best rating obtainable. This rating has a direct effect on the fire insurance of properties within the city. The SFD operates out of 11 fire stations, organized into three districts (akin to battalions), located throughout the city. The SFD currently maintains nine engine companies (operating with nine corresponding "mini" units), five truck companies, one heavy rescue company, a manpower-squad company, and several special and support units. The department also provides Aircraft Rescue and FirefightingARFFcoverage and specialized fire, rescue, medical, and hazardous materials coverage to theSyracuse Hancock International Airport(station 4).

Syracuse'ssister citiesare:

• Chiayi City, Taiwan^[122]
• Fuzhou, Fujian, China
• Taiz, Yemen
• Tampere, Finland
• Irpin, Ukraine^[123][124]
• Boise, Idaho

• Interfaith Works (Syracuse)
• List of Syracuse University people

• Official website