For decades, the city of Syracuse has been divided both physically and culturally. The large overpass of Interstate 81 bisected neighborhoods and impeded a cohesive urban identity. The design of the Connective Corridor is inspired by a renewed vision for Syracuse that will connect and enliven a central artery of the city in need of revitalization. A major initiative of the project is to transform the corridor into a linear urban stage, a promenade for businesses and institutions to engage pedestrians with an inspirational, fulfilling, and diverse experience. To emphasize Syracuse’s identity and involve local industry, the design utilizes materials and manufacturers from the city and region, a move that also vastly reduces costs by using relatively simple, everyday materials in new and thought-provoking ways. The use of native plantings and porous recycled materials serve as stormwater filtration devices and provide an educational opportunity along the corridor. Through the innovative use of locally sourced, common materials, the Syracuse Connective Corridor demonstrates that low-cost, high-quality designs are possible, and that simple measures can have a profound effect upon a community’s civic identity.
