If you haven’t been to Syracuse in recent years, you might not recognize the city. The metropolis has undergone a facelift that Joan Rivers would envy, with reimagined venues and new offerings giving it a greater group allure than ever before.
“Syracuse is a completely different meetings, convention and leisure destination than it was five years ago, or even one year ago,” says Tracey Kegebein, vice president of sales and services for the the Syracuse CVB. “Not only is the downtown at the center of more than $1.4 billion in capital investments, the entire community has a renewed spirit that definitely leaves a positive impression on our meeting planners, attendees and visitors.”
Lisa Romeo, spokeswoman for the Downtown Committee of Syracuse Inc., says the effort is definitely paying off for groups gathering in the upstate New York burg.
“Visiting meeting groups and planners benefit from the investments being made downtown because it enhances the overall appearance of the district, as well as the experience,” Romeo says. “There are more locally owned restaurants to dine at, boutiques to shop at, and now two new Marriott properties to stay at downtown.”
She adds that the dynamic growth is helping create a 24-hour neighborhood downtown, ensuring a continued renaissance in Syracuse.
And while downtown is at the forefront of the awesome overhaul, changes truly are taking place all over the city, adding oomph to everything from lodging and culture to shopping. Here’s a look at some of the most exciting aspects of Syracuse’s renaissance.
Hotel Happenings
Housed in the former Temple Adath, previously a house of worship and theater, the Hotel Skyler is a hip boutique property with 58 rooms, LEED Platinum certification, a fitness center and a business center.
Centered in the historic Armory Square section of downtown, the Inns at Armory Square is a unique new construction housing a 102-room Courtyard by Marriott and a 78-room Residence Inn.
Other hotel activity includes a $5 million refresh at the Crowne Plaza, which upgraded its lobby and 279 guest rooms, and a $4.4 million makeover at the Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel & Conference Center, which improved guest rooms, dining venues and other areas of the property. PageBreak
Outdoor Havens
Forman Park, a popular gathering place since its founding in 1839, is part of the larger, $17 million Connective Corridor project flowing throughout the city—improving infrastructure, plus adding bike lanes, better lighting and even street furniture. Park progress includes a new fountain, replicated from the original that once enhanced the park, and public spaces for visitors to relax, walk about and take in a live performance.
Another outdoor improvement is the recently unveiled, $11 million Onondaga Creekwalk, providing an appealing connection between Armory Square and Onondaga Lake. Yet one more such upgrade was a recent Bank Street conversion, transforming the two-block roadway into a pedestrian artery embellished by brick sidewalks and various trees.
Event Spaces
The OnCenter is a unique and compelling complex encompassing three city blocks and offering a wealth of dynamic event venues totaling 200,000 square feet. Possibilities range from a 99,000-square-foot convention center and a 2,100-seat theater to a historic arena.
Planners might also want to keep the old Wells & Coverly Building on their radar. The Events Company, a local planning group, has plans to repurpose spaces on the upper floors into a pair of banquet halls.
Cultural Corners
The beloved Landmark Theatre, an ornate 1928 Art Deco gem, has long been a popular movie hall and performing arts palace. A $16 million upgrade has the vital venue more vibrant than ever. At the heart of the recent renovation was an expansion of the backstage area to allow for blockbuster-type extravaganzas, and the move has already paid off with the booking of Wicked and Jersey Boys.
The theater also boasts numerous event spaces, though planners are urged to call well in advance, as the venue is quite popular for private functions.
Elsewhere, the Redhouse Arts Center in the city’s Near Westside district was also the recipient of a huge upgrade, expanding to include an intimate theater, art gallery and recording studio, with virtually all of the spaces available for private rental.
Nearby, the burgeoning SALT district was named as both an acronym (Syracuse, Art, Life, Technology) and as a nod to the city’s past as a salt producer. New homes and businesses have been popping up all over, and Syracuse is making a strong push to attract artists and companies to the neighborhood. PageBreak
Attractions Abound
The Rosamond Gifford Zoo, already a well-liked stop by locals and visitors, has made big strides to enhance its offerings and infrastructure. New lures include Primate Park and the Asian Elephant Preserve, and there’s plenty of buzz, too, surrounding the impending opening of a Giant Pacific Octopus exhibit, which will show off anemones, starfish and other sea creatures in addition to the eight-armed star attraction.
The zoo is currently receiving upgrades to its main entrance and parking lot, and also has plans in place for modifications to the main pond and picnic area in the zoo’s interior space.
In the city’s Lakefront realms, a $540 million expansion has transformed the former Carousel Center mall into a spectacular shopping destination dubbed Destiny USA. The dynamic compound serves up a spectrum of retailers ranging from Abercrombie to Zales, plus dozens of dining options such as P.F. Chang’s, Gordon Biersch and Ruby Tuesday. But perhaps the biggest surprise of all is the range of entertainment options.
Possible group fun at Destiny USA includes a 17-screen multiplex cinema, glow-in-the-dark miniature golf, go-kart racing, a mirror maze, laser tag, the largest indoor suspended ropes course in the world and several other options. And on the slate to open soon are adult offerings like a Dave & Buster’s, a Funny Bone comedy club restaurant and an upscale bowling restaurant.
Also on the horizon at Destiny USA is a special team-building establishment known as 5 Wits Adventure, offering fully immersive excursions into two different manmade environments: 20,000 Leagues and Espionage. The high-tech settings full of special effects and impressive set designs are truly a brand-new offering in the world of entertainment, and will have attendees’ hearts racing as they crack safes, face deep-sea creatures, and tackle other unforgettable challenges.
