Syracuse Post-Standard
Here are some of the basic points of the proposal advanced Monday by the Green Party candidate for Syracuse mayor, compiled from the party's new release:
The mission: Provide "neighborhood-directed development using green technologies and widespread community ownership to create living-wage jobs in a city that is ecologically and economically sustainable."
The statement: "The developers have been calling the shots in Syracuse. We need to reverse that relationship. The people should make the basic plans and then the developers can bid on fulfilling pieces of those plans."
People's Waterfront. Reclaim Inner Harbor development rights and develop a "new urbanism" neighborhood of mixed-used development and mixed-income housing. Eventually move sewage treatment plant and Carousel Center to other locations and build a Peace Museum dedicated to the Haudenosaunee Peacemaker.
Greenway Network. Replace key streets with parklike corridors for walkers, bicyclists and light-rail transportation. One would replace elevated portions of Interstate 81. A parking garage could be build at Syracuse University surface lots to accommodate park-and-ride commuters.
Erie Canal corridor. Re-dig the old Erie Canal and line it with light rail, bike and walking paths. On its banks place ecological manufacturing plants and "urban village shopping districts" with ground-floor retail and upper-floor apartments.
Renaturalize Onondaga Creek with small ponds, hydro dams, biological sewage treatment, green houses, urban agriculture, ecological housing, retail and restaurants.
Make Syracuse energy self-sufficient through solar, wind and hydro power and biofuels. Instead of bringing consumers to central locations, bring stores to neighborhoods.
Mass transit. Create light-rail service to link Syracuse with the suburbs.