North Side renovation aims to create 'village' feel

CNY Business Journal (1996+), Jul 26, 2002 by Fitting, Beth

SYRACUSE - The City of Syracuse has a tradition: Immigrants arrive, put down roots, and build businesses to support their families. The city's North Side has been home to waves of immigrants, who built the city's business reputation, as far back as the days when the salt was the first major industry. German immigrants came and started breweries. Italian immigrants arrived with their small businesses and restaurants. Their names can be seen on existing buildings, such Angeloro and Nastri. And the DeRegis Monument Co. still has its headquarters on North Salina Street.

Stephen DeRegis, minority leader of the Syracuse Common Council, whose family owns DeRegis Monument, has had a vision of restoring North Salina Street to a "European village, centered around European culture." He envisions a community within the city, where people can live and work and shop.

The City of Syracuse recently approved $1.4 million in city bonds to fund the redevelopment of the area, which Fran DeStefano, in the city's Community Development office, says is being called "Little Italy: Gateway to Many Nations." Senator John DeFrancisco (R, C-Syracuse), who also grew up on the north side, has secured $400,000 from the state. DeStefano says that "for the last couple of years we have been planning this. More than $1 million in private investment" has gone into renovations in the area.

The renaissance, says DeStefano, isn't always obvious from the outside, but it began in the 400 block, with the Asti Caffe. They've put $7,000 to $8,000 into that building." In the 500 block, DeStefano says, about $60,000 to $70,000 has been invested in the Angeloro Building by John Ascenzo. The Nastri Building was sold to David Stirpe, who has upgraded apartments on the comer to GradeA dwellings. She continues, "A1 Trophy has purchased the building next door to its store." Lewis Uniform, she says, is moving from rented quarters in the 700 block to 624 North Salina and becoming "a building and business owner." Robert Molta's apartments/offices at 611 and 617 North Salina will be ready for occupancy beginning Aug. 15.

The major improvements made by the city have been to the area's infrastructure. The Streetscape Improvements plan was created for the city by Environmental Design & Research, which has its offices on Division Street, a few blocks from North Salina Street. James Ross & Sons is the contractor handling infrastructure improvements. DeRegis says that the lighting will be over the pedestrian walkway, rather than over the streets. And the sidewalks themselves will be widened, covered in brick pavers and concrete. Trees and benches will also be added, with the goal of making the area more pedestrian-friendly. A narrowing of the street is also planned. The infrastructure improvements, he says, are expected to be complete by the end of September or October. Then, he reveals, Rep. James Walsh is "working toward a large grant in the fall." DeRegis can't reveal the amount, but he says it will "definitely be in the sevenfigure range."

Barton Feinberg, director of economic development for the city, says the next step is "extending the area and marketing efforts." The North Salina Street area is in both a federal Empowerment Zone and a state Empire Zone. "We'll use these as economic-development tools," says Feinberg. He says that the city is "starting research, and will do a strategic plan, probably all up and dawn North Salina." It depends, he says, on "what the community would like."

DeRegis says, "We're spending dollars, hiring a first-class consultant, marketing the area to the private sector." He stresses the importance of private investment. "Unless we get private-sector investment, the project will fail."