Erie Blvd East’s West Side Problem
Posted by Mitch Mitchell on Feb 15, 2012
I’m not sure that anyone could say it ever thrived as much as the eastern part of the street, but have you taken notice of what the area of Erie Boulevard East looks like from the area starting around Midler and a few blocks past Teall? It looks like an area that overall has been ignored by the powers that be, at least on the side heading towards the city.
Not that the side heading west looks all that much better, but at least there are businesses there. Some seem to be surviving, but if you weren’t from the area you’d swear that almost all of the businesses look closed. Actually I live here and until a few weeks ago I’d have sworn that most of those businesses were closed.
As the pictures will show, there are empty spaces where businesses used to be and one major building that showed great promise at one time that’s in outer decay and looks like a dead cruise ship, waiting for someone willing to take over a funny looking building with a horrible paint job (I always wondered who thought that was a smart color to paint that building so many years ago) that once belonged to a locally created insurance company whose business model was, unfortunately, flawed.
The only businesses that are probably thriving out that way are the Fuccillo Hyundai and possibly Sam’s Club, which I have to admit I didn’t even know was there, thinking it was the Super Walmart on Bridge Street instead. The day I passed by and realized what it was, there weren’t that many cars in the parking lot. And I did notice there was a Chinese restaurant on the same side of the street right across from them with only 2 cars in front. I was thinking how terrible it must be for that restaurant to be in that location instead of a location closer to Dewitt, which gets a lot more traffic and business.
Not that the most eastern part of Erie Boulevard has always had it easy, but most of its real estate has been filled and even when some buildings were razed, such as the old bowling alley, drive-in theater and Rib Inn’s (loved that place), they weren’t empty for long; goodness, there’s even a new hotel over there now.
As I stated in a post here about my 5 wishes for the Syracuse and Central New York area, I believe there needs to be something like an Empire Zone program to help encourage businesses to build, whether it’s retail or restaurants, to help revitalize this area. It’s close enough to the university area to have the opportunity to make a very big economical impact on the city, and it wouldn’t hurt having a quality hotel in the area close to the university for all the events that are held there. Imagine it; a nice sized hotel, quality restaurants… what’s not to like?
Who agrees with me here?
Mitch:
Interesting piece, thanks for pointing it out. Can’t believe I missed this.
1) Should the city of Syracuse promote investment in an area that is 100% auto dependent? I think it could be done–but any development should also be attached to increased public transportation and (since we’re dreaming) maybe light rail? When I got home from college and I was w/o a car, I had to turn down a job on Erie Blvd. because the bus couldn’t get me there on time.
2) Dewitt section has been successful partly because of the add-on plazas and the growth of Bridge St. w/ big boxes. Hard to see where city section can do that. Should try to come up with funky alternative starting w/ area right near city. Maybe develop old warehouse across from YNN bldg. into multi-purpose facility. I think you were on to the idea of building off University residents.
3) Still don’t understand how Krispy Kreme died!
Hey Phil,
I’ll start with the last one first. Krispy Kreme died because carbs suddenly became bad in the news and they ended up having to shut down almost all their stores. I’m lucky to know of one at Exit 294 on Route 81 in Pennsylvania; even the one in Rochester was shut down.
On the second point, this area of Erie Blvd could use some of those types of strip malls or even a few big time restaurants, which I think would be a nice draw, especially for the college crowd that wants something different than University area food. Maybe some office buildings… I’m not sure, but the blight is just so stark that it needs something.
On the first point, well, why does my mind think there used to be some kind of rail system in the city that went away, and way before you and I were around? Erie Blvd is a major thoroughfare in this area, just like Salina Street is, and both should have a lot of access points originating from wherever the main bus station is, since it’ll be moving at some point. Mass transit would help greatly, and truthfully I’m thinking there needs to be better bus service through Armory Square as well, though it seems to be doing well.