Directly addressing the needs of current McKinney Manor and Pioneer Homes residents, this strategy focuses on enhancing health, education, and economic stability, providing a solid foundation for residents to prosper and achieve lasting well-being.
Case Management
Case management services will be available to both original target residents and new residents post-redevelopment. This program aims to build supportive relationships and provide culturally sensitive guidance to manage complex issues. Activities include needs assessment, selection of appropriate problem-solving interventions, and guided support for accessing necessary services. Urban Strategies Inc. (USI) will oversee the implementation of case management, ensuring coordination with service providers and alignment with the Housing and Neighborhood Implementation Entities to support the revitalization efforts and achieve Section 3 goals.
USI’s case management protocol involves a detailed assessment to determine the needs, strengths, and goals of each participant, focusing on employment, education, health, economic mobility, and housing stability. Trained social work professionals guide residents through creating Individual Development Plans (IDP) tailored to their specific needs and goals, addressing potential risks like eviction or unemployment. Additionally, parents and heads of households will develop Family Development Plans (FDP) to secure housing stability and address the educational, health, and social needs of their dependents. Case managers work collaboratively with residents to connect them to necessary services, coordinate with partners, and track progress towards their goals, adjusting the frequency and intensity of support based on assessed risks.
Staffing and Support
The USI team will include approximately 7 Case Managers, a Supervisor, and specialists in education and workforce development, maintaining a case ratio of 65:1. They coordinate closely with service partners and property management to enhance program participation and address family risks.
Data Tracking and Outcomes
USI uses the LEARN system to monitor and adjust services, ensuring they meet the families' needs effectively. This system tracks real-time data on service engagement and outcomes, aiding in operational adjustments and service optimization.
Service Coordination
Service Coordination aims to amplify the collective impact of supportive services by integrating them more closely through on-site case management, fostering increased collaboration and data leverage. USI will create a Service Provider Network (SPN) of high-capacity partners to support the People Plan. This network will act as a professional learning community, regularly assessing outcomes, addressing service gaps, and coordinating strategic efforts. This coordination also serves to enhance field-based insights into research, policy, and practice, contributing to broader community impact assessments shared with HUD and other stakeholders.
Mobility Support
Mobility counseling will be available and provided by the case management team. Case Managers will proactively engage residents well in advance of relocation or re-occupancy to ensure transition barriers are mitigated, and target residents fully understand their options.
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After World War II, displaced refugees and Black Americans moved to Syracuse as housing discrimination confined them to the 15th Ward. A once thriving community was greatly impacted in the 1950s and 1960s when the Department of Transportation and the State of New York selected to build the highway in the middle of the neighborhood. The area was then devastated by the I-81 construction. Today, the City and partners are working to address its lasting impacts and reconnect East Adams with the city’s core.
Planned Neighborhood Investments
Investing in Critical Community Improvements (CCIs) is essential to achieving the overarching goals of the East Adams Neighborhood Transformation Plan. These investments aim to enhance residents' quality of life while promoting sustainable community engagement and development.
Children Rising Center
The Children Rising Center (CRC) will be a vibrant community hub offering early childhood education, a family play space, and a YMCA—all designed to support healthy development for children and families. Led by Blueprint 15 and supported by partners like the Salvation Army, YMCA of Central New York, and the Syracuse City School District, the CRC will empower parents to pursue work or training while their children are safely cared for nearby. Funded by New York State, Onondaga County, and the City of Syracuse, this community-led initiative reflects a strong commitment to local growth and opportunity
EMERGING INCUBATOR
The Emerging Developers Incubator is a key initiative focused on supporting local developers and business owners in the East Adams neighborhood. One of its first major projects is Salina 1st, a $16 million mixed-use development led by Syracuse natives Emanuel Henderson and Eli Smith. Located on a large vacant parcel, Salina 1st will feature new commercial spaces that will house several locally owned businesses, including JHP Industrial Supply and E. Smith Contractors, helping to rebuild the economic foundation lost decades ago.
This effort is part of a broader strategy to restore commercial activity that was severely impacted by the construction of I-81, which displaced hundreds of locally owned businesses. The plan includes activating ground-floor retail in new housing developments along East Adams and South Townsend Streets, and transforming vacant and blighted properties along South Salina Street into vibrant business hubs. The Greater Syracuse Land Bank is a key partner in assembling and coordinating these properties for redevelopment. These efforts are supported by the City of Syracuse’s economic development strategies, which aim to expand opportunity and provide practical support for small business owners.
EAST ADAMS NEIGHBORHOOD EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING CENTER
In the East Adams neighborhood—where unemployment is nearly ten times higher than the Syracuse average—residents have been clear about their need for job training and economic opportunity. In response, the City launched Syracuse Build, a targeted workforce strategy developed by Mayor Walsh to prepare local residents for careers in construction and related fields, particularly in advance of the I-81 viaduct demolition. The East Adams Neighborhood Transformation Plan builds on this momentum with multiple aligned efforts.
A key initiative is the $30 million renovation of the SUNY Educational Opportunity Center (EOC), which will provide career coaching, technical training, and job access programs tailored to in-demand industries. The East Adams Skills and Enrichment Academy, operated by the Syracuse Housing Authority (SHA), will connect public housing residents to career pathways with a focus on Section 3 employment opportunities, ensuring local hires in federally funded projects. Further amplifying these efforts is Governor Hochul’s ON-RAMP initiative, which will bring a state-of-the-art workforce development hub directly to the neighborhood, serving as a flagship center for job seekers, skills training, and employer engagement. Together, these efforts form a coordinated strategy to uplift residents through long-term, sustainable employment and economic growth
NEIGHBORHOOD PLACEMAKING AND MULTI-PARK IMPROVEMENTS
Community-driven placemaking and cultural preservation are central to East Adams’ revitalization, with residents emphasizing the need for spaces that reflect belonging, history, and connection. Projects like the new Linear Park, which will connect Roesler and Wilson Parks, are being designed with input from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry to promote walkability and community engagement.
The new Syracuse Housing Authority Headquarters will feature a museum honoring the Historic 15th Ward and Pioneer Homes, co-curated with residents and local historians to preserve the neighborhood’s legacy. Public art, including murals and creative installations, will celebrate East Adams’ vibrant identity. Major park upgrades are also planned: Roesler Park will become an athletic field and sports complex, Wilson Park Community Center will receive new recreational facilities, and Libba Cotten Grove will be refreshed to enhance its welcoming feel. These initiatives, supported by partnerships with NYSDOT and others, aim to restore East Adams as a dynamic, beautiful, and inclusive neighborhood.
Key Neighborhood Opportunities
The East Adams Neighborhood Plan is backed by additional strategic investments essential to achieving its vision. These projects reflect a holistic, community-centered approach to revitalizing and sustaining long-term growth in the neighborhood.
STEAM High School
A major educational milestone for East Adams, the new STEAM High School will be New York State’s first regional high school focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. Backed by a $122 million investment, this collaborative effort between the Syracuse City School District, City of Syracuse, Onondaga County, and New York State will revitalize the historic Central High School building and welcome students from across the county in fall 2025. Developed with input from Syracuse University and Onondaga Community College, the school will align academics with the growing STEAM job market, expanding opportunity for local youth.
Public Infrastructure Improvements
As the State moves forward with replacing the I-81 viaduct to restore the community grid, major housing and transportation projects are converging in East Adams, creating both challenges and opportunities. In 2024, Governor Hochul and Mayor Walsh announced a $180 million federal Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grant, including $30 million for East Adams infrastructure upgrades and $24 million from city departments to enhance public spaces. These investments will improve sidewalks, bike paths, parks, and utilities, while the City of Syracuse leads coordination with NYSDOT, Onondaga County, and developers to align efforts and support neighborhood growth.
Homeownership Opportunities
The Resurgent Neighborhoods Initiative and Infill Housing Development Strategy, led by Mayor Walsh, is boosting homeownership in East Adams. Home HeadQuarters is building 18 new single-family homes by 2025, adding to the eight already completed—including one that made a former Pioneer Homes resident a homeowner. These efforts are supported by monthly homeownership orientations, a HUD-certified education program, and free financial counseling from the Syracuse Financial Empowerment Center, helping families build credit, save, and achieve long-term stability in a growing neighborhood.
The East Adams Housing Plan aims to create a vibrant, mixed-income community through the development of sustainable, moderate- to high-density housing. By reconnecting residents to Downtown Syracuse, University Hill, and new neighborhood amenities, the plan enhances quality of life, expands access to jobs, and supports a thriving environment for both longtime and new families.
Throughout the multi-year master planning process, the Transformation Plan has consistently upheld the core goals of the Housing Plan:
1. Support a balanced mix of affordable and market-rate housing to reduce concentrated poverty and encourage a range of income levels within the community.
2. Offer safe, high-quality homes with market-rate amenities for all residents
3. Improve connectivity within the neighborhood and to the broader city
4. Minimize disruption to current residents with a phased approach that ensures stable housing during and after redevelopment
The East Adams Housing Plan will revitalize the neighborhood through 11 mixed-income phases, including one for seniors, replacing over 600 outdated units and adding over 700 new homes for a total of more than 1,300 units across workforce, LIHTC, and market-rate categories. These high-quality, energy-efficient homes will offer amenities like community kitchens and fitness centers, and are strategically located near major employers like Upstate University Hospital and Syracuse University to attract local workers and maintain strong occupancy.
Designed to reflect the area's historic character, the new buildings will range from townhomes to mid-rise and walk-up styles, blending into the surrounding neighborhood. Each phase leverages diverse funding sources—including federal, state, private, and LIHTC equity—and will roll out gradually from East Adams and South State Streets toward I-81/Almond Street to limit displacement. This carefully coordinated approach aligns with the I-81 Viaduct Project to ensure housing and infrastructure improvements happen in tandem.
One-for-One Replacement
The Housing Plan includes the one-for-one replacement of approximately 672 units from McKinney Manor and Pioneer Homes across 11 phased developments. To address the mismatch between household sizes and existing unit layouts, the plan will deliver appropriately sized homes—including larger units—to meet the needs of both returning and new families. All eligible residents will have the right to return, and to support a smooth transition, the redevelopment process will include public outreach, regular community meetings, timely updates, and assistance from Blueprint 15 neighborhood navigators to keep residents informed, engaged, and reassured throughout each phase.
Housing Design
The proposed design replaces outdated public housing with a variety of mixed-income townhomes, walk-up apartments, and elevator buildings that align with modern architectural standards and market preferences. Inspired by local landmarks like Armory Square and the historic Victorian-style homes in the surrounding area, the buildings will feature street- and park-facing front doors and porches, enhancing walkability and connection to green spaces. Interiors will offer modern amenities and ample storage to meet residents’ needs.
Shaped by extensive community input, the Housing Plan reflects residents’ priorities—access to healthcare, transit, and jobs—through integrated, mixed-use development and complementary investments. The site plan reconnects the neighborhood to the broader street grid and maintains a human-scaled design with two- to four-story buildings, blending seamlessly into the historic character of the 15th Ward while supporting a vibrant, inclusive future.
Universal Design
The Housing Plan is designed to serve residents of all abilities. 5% of units will be fully designed for individuals with physical disabilities, and 15% of ground-floor garden apartments—along with all townhomes—will be visitable and adaptable. The senior and elevator buildings will be 100% universally designed, and 2% of units will be equipped for residents with visual or hearing impairments. All sidewalks, paths, playgrounds, and fitness areas will meet ADA standards and include elements to support safe and comfortable access for everyone.
Design Elements
The new design replaces outdated housing with a mix of garden-style, townhouse, elevator, and walk-up apartments, all featuring front doors and porches facing public streets to encourage neighborhood connection. Interiors will offer modern layouts and amenities, while exteriors will reflect the historic architectural character of Syracuse. This blend of quality and style is designed to attract families and individuals who choose to live in a vibrant, walkable urban setting.
Unit and Room Sizes
All new units will be built to the same high-quality market-rate standard, with no visible differences between affordable and market-rate homes. Units will feature spacious layouts that accommodate modern furniture and appliances, including in-unit washers and dryers in all family units, ground-floor powder rooms in townhomes, and ample closet space to meet today’s living preferences.
A Pedestrian-Friendly, Mixed-Use Neighborhood
The Housing Plan restores the traditional block layout, creating a walkable, well-connected neighborhood with a mix of building types that bring variety and visual interest to the streets. The design blends contemporary and contextual architecture, showing clear signs of new investment while honoring the area’s character. Improvements include new sidewalks, crosswalks, better street lighting, landscaping, and drainage, along with two-way local streets and buildings that face public spaces.
The plan encourages walking, biking, and accessibility by adding features like a neighborhood greenway linking Wilson and Roesler Parks, clearly marked park access, and safe, well-lit paths. Sidewalks will wrap around buildings and connect to nearby blocks, making it easy for residents to reach parks, recreation, and mixed-use amenities on foot.
Sidewalks
The plan features new, continuous sidewalks and crosswalks throughout the neighborhood, with tree lawns providing a buffer between pedestrians and traffic. Intersections will include painted crosswalks and curb cuts to support safety and ease of movement for both pedestrians and cyclists.
Resident Amenity Spaces & Recreation
The new Neighborhood Greenway and Multi-Park Improvements will connect East Adams to nearby green spaces, creating a central hub for recreation, beauty, and community gatherings. Tree-lined sidewalks will link housing to this new focal point. After I-81 is removed, Wilson Park will be transformed with a playground, pavilion, civic gathering space, and peaceful seating areas. Each housing phase will include community gardens, playgrounds, and green spaces to support a vibrant and active neighborhood.
Defensible Space
The Housing Plan uses Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles to create safe, defensible spaces and reduce crime. Key features include buildings that face the street, windows overlooking sidewalks and parks, security lighting and cameras, limited building and parking access points, and see-through fencing to maintain visibility. The design clearly separates public and private areas, promoting natural surveillance and access control throughout the neighborhood.
Micro-Climate Appropriate Space
The plan uses native plants and xeriscaping to minimize irrigation needs and ensure landscaping can withstand extreme weather. Shade trees will restore the local microclimate, reduce the urban heat island effect, conserve energy, and create more comfortable, livable outdoor spaces.
Stormwater Management Practices
To address stormwater runoff, the Housing Plan will install underground stormwater tanks that filter and manage 100% of the first inch of rainfall, with 50% retention. These systems will reduce pooling, ease pressure on the city’s stormwater system, and boost resilience to extreme weather. Each phase will include under-parking retention areas, and all new housing will be certified to the National Green Building Standard for sustainability.
Constructed in the 1950s and ’60s, the elevated I-81 viaduct in downtown Syracuse no longer meets modern standards and is being replaced by a Community Grid—a transformative $2.25 billion project led by NYSDOT and the Federal Highway Administration. This new layout will disperse traffic along city streets, create a high-speed business loop via a reconfigured I-481, and reconnect neighborhoods long divided by the highway.
To align this major infrastructure shift with community goals, the Syracuse Housing Authority and City of Syracuse have led the East Adams master planning effort since 2016, coordinating housing, infrastructure, and neighborhood improvements to minimize disruption. The project includes deep community engagement and the launch of WorkSmartNY Syracuse Build, a collaborative workforce pipeline that has already exceeded its 15% local hire target—one of the first under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The City and NYSDOT have also secured significant federal support:
1. $500K Reconnecting Communities Planning Grant to study East-West connectivity.
2. Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Grant to move plans from design to action.
3. $180M Reconnecting Communities Capital Grant, including $30M for East Adams to improve infrastructure, parks, and pedestrian access.
Together, these efforts represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the historic 15th Ward into a unified, thriving East Adams neighborhood, backed by coordinated federal, state, and local investment.
