Clarkson University seeks design proposals for science, engineering complex project

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POTSDAM, N.Y. — Clarkson University says it is seeking proposals for a concept design for the upcoming Clarkson Engineering and Applied Sciences Educational Complex. The university, located in Potsdam, is asking architectural and engineering firms to team with construction managers and design builders to provide proposals. The effort seeks to expand and renovate its engineering […]

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POTSDAM, N.Y. — Clarkson University says it is seeking proposals for a concept design for the upcoming Clarkson Engineering and Applied Sciences Educational Complex.

The university, located in Potsdam, is asking architectural and engineering firms to team with construction managers and design builders to provide proposals. The effort seeks to expand and renovate its engineering and science facilities to “meet the challenge of 21st Century STEM education.” STEM is short for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

“This is an exciting moment for Clarkson,” David Heacock, acting president and trustee of Clarkson University, said in the school’s announcement. “This is an outstanding opportunity to chart a lasting legacy for one of the nation’s leading STEM focused institutions and reinforce Clarkson’s leadership for decades to come.”

For its Engineering and Science Educational Complex, Clarkson is envisioning a $48 million expansion and renovation of the Center for Advanced Materials Processing (CAMP)/Rowley Labs facility in conjunction with significant renovations to the Cora & Bayard Clarkson Science Center building.

Firms interested in submitting proposals can access the request for proposals (RFP) document online. Clarkson says it will use the site to post any addendums and any procurement updates related to the opportunity.

“We are asking firms to help us advance our own planning study to the point that a clear path is developed for the expansion and renovation of our facilities to ensure we can meet the needs for Clarkson’s STEM leadership now and well into the future,” Bill Jemison, dean of the Coulter School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, said in the announcement.

The request for proposals articulates that the intent is to enter into a multi-phase design contract. The first phase involves validating the internal planning efforts to date and developing a concept design that can “clearly articulate a vision” for a phased expansion and renovation of Clarkson’s core STEM facilities.

Final proposals from teams are due on March 20. The university building committee will review the written proposals, forming a shortlist of firms in which to conduct informal interviews. Clarkson anticipates selecting a firm/team in April.

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Qdoba Mexican Eats opens new location at Syracuse airport

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Small Business, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE — The restaurant lineup at Syracuse Hancock International Airport now includes a new location of Qdoba Mexican Eats. The Syracuse Regional Airport Authority (SRAA) and Gideon Toal Management Services (GTMS) joined the restaurant for the Feb. 21 ribbon-cutting event, SRAA said in its announcement. The fast-casual restaurant, which serves Mexican-style cuisine, conducted a soft

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SYRACUSE — The restaurant lineup at Syracuse Hancock International Airport now includes a new location of Qdoba Mexican Eats.

The Syracuse Regional Airport Authority (SRAA) and Gideon Toal Management Services (GTMS) joined the restaurant for the Feb. 21 ribbon-cutting event, SRAA said in its announcement.

The fast-casual restaurant, which serves Mexican-style cuisine, conducted a soft opening in January. It is located in the post-security checkpoint hallway leading to concourse A gates, SRAA said.

The restaurant chain has locations across the U.S. and Canada. The SYR location operates daily from 4:15 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., or the last flight of the day.

“Today’s grand opening represents an exciting expansion of dining options for SYR travelers,” Jason Mehl, SRAA chief commercial officer, said in the announcement. “We are grateful to our partners at Gideon Toal Management Services and Qdoba Mexican Eats for their commitment to enhancing the passenger experience and investing in the success of SYR. As our airport continues to grow, partnerships like these play a key role in elevating SYR to a best-in-class destination.”

Those attending the formal-opening event enjoyed samples and heard speeches from SRAA leadership, GTMS leadership, and a representative from the Qdoba Mexican Eats brand.

“Gideon Toal Management Services is thrilled about the opportunity to open a Qdoba Mexican Eats quick-serve restaurant concession at Syracuse Hancock International Airport,” Alvin Brown, president of Gideon Toal Management Services, said in the SRAA announcement. “This venture not only aligns with our commitment to providing exceptional dining experiences but also positions us to play a significant role in the ongoing growth of airport passenger traffic. We are excited to contribute to the economic development of the region while serving delicious, high-quality Mexican cuisine to travelers. Together, we look forward to a prosperous future and to enhancing the airport’s offerings.”

Lyons Bancorp’s earnings decline 11 percent in 2024

Banks & Credit Unions, Subscriber Only

LYONS — Lyons Bancorp, Inc. (ticker: LYBC), the financial holding company of the Lyons National Bank (LNB), recently reported earnings of $15.5 million for 2024, down nearly 11 percent from its record earnings of $17.4 million the prior year. The banking company said that on a per-share basis, its earnings per share were $4.38 last

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The banking company said that on a per-share basis, its earnings per share were $4.38 last year, down almost 11 percent from $4.90 in 2023.

“Last year presented a challenging environment in areas such as: inflation, uncertain economic and political environments, the continuation of an unusually extended inverted yield curve and tighter margins to name a few,” Lyons Bancorp President and CEO Thomas Kime said in the company’s earnings report, issued on Feb. 20. “Despite these factors, the Bank delivered a strong operating performance, solid financial results and improving trends. We look for these improvements to continue in 2025. With net interest margins improving, a strong balance sheet, solid reserve levels, good growth, and an outstanding team of professionals, LNB is positioned to pursue growth opportunities and perform well in 2025.”

Lyons Bancorp’s total assets rose to $1.92 billion at year-end 2024 from $1.85 billion at year-end 2023. The banking company said the key drivers of growth were an increase in deposits from $1.62 billion at the end of 2023 to $1.77 billion at year-end 2024, which it invested back into its local communities in the form of loans. The banking company’s gross loans grew $90 million, or 6.5 percent, from $1.38 billion in 2023 to $1.47 billion in 2024.

Lyons Bancorp also announced that its board of directors boosted its quarterly dividend by 14 percent to 40 cents per share from 35 cents, effective March 31. The banking company said the decision was based on its strong and increasing capital, along with last year’s solid earnings.

The Lyons National Bank is a community bank with offices in Lyons, Clyde, Macedon, Newark, Ontario, and Wolcott in Wayne County; Penn Yan in Yates County; Jordan in Onondaga County; Geneva, Canandaigua, and Farmington in Ontario County; Seneca Falls in Seneca County; Perinton in Monroe County; and Auburn in Cayuga County. LNB also has one subsidiary, Lyons Realty Associates Corp.

Pathfinder Bancorp Q4 profit rises more than 70 percent

Banks & Credit Unions, Subscriber Only

OSWEGO — Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: PBHC), the bank holding company of Pathfinder Bank, reported net income of $4.3 million, or 69 cents per share, in the fourth quarter, up 72 percent from $2.5 million or 41 cents, in the fourth quarter of 2023. The latest quarterly results included a benefit of about $1.4 million

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KeyBank parent company names new new chief risk officer

Banks & Credit Unions, Subscriber Only

Mohit (Mo) Ramani is the new chief risk officer (CRO) at KeyCorp (NYSE: KEY) — parent company of KeyBank, the No. 2 bank ranked by deposit market share in the 16-county Central New York region. He started in the CRO position on Jan. 23, the banking company announced. Ramani joins Key from Truist Financial Corporation,

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Oneida County hotel business indicators were mixed in January

Mohawk Valley, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

UTICA — Oneida County hotels registered a mixed month of business performance in January, as indicated by three key benchmarks. The hotel-occupancy rate (rooms sold as a percentage of rooms available) edged down 1.2 percent to 44.9 percent in the first month of 2025 compared to the year-ago month, according to a report from STR,

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Lockheed Martin’s suburban Syracuse plant wins $23.5M Navy contract modification for submarine work

Manufacturing & Engineering, Subscriber Only, Technology

SALINA — Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE: LMT) recently was awarded a $23.5 million modification to a previously awarded delivery order under a contract from the U.S. Navy to exercise options for engineering support of submarine electronic-warfare systems on new construction and in-service submarines. Work will be performed in the Lockheed Martin facility in the town

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United Airlines to ofer two flights a day from Syracuse to Denver

Subscriber Only, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism

SYRACUSE — United Airlines this summer plans to expand its daily, nonstop service to twice daily from Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) directly to Denver International Airport (DEN). When the daily service was initially announced in 2019, it was “lauded as a big win for both business and leisure travelers in Central New York,” the

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SYRACUSE — United Airlines this summer plans to expand its daily, nonstop service to twice daily from Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) directly to Denver International Airport (DEN).

When the daily service was initially announced in 2019, it was “lauded as a big win for both business and leisure travelers in Central New York,” the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority (SRAA) said in its Feb. 14 announcement.

The current daily service departs SYR around 8 a.m. (Eastern time), arriving in DEN just before 10 a.m. (Mountain time). The return flight leaves DEN at about 6 p.m. (Mountain), landing at SYR just after 11 p.m. (Eastern).

The newly added daily service will include an additional inbound flight departing DEN at about 9:40 a.m. (Mountain), arriving at SYR just after 3 p.m. (Eastern). It will also include an additional daily outbound flight departing SYR at 4:15 p.m. (Eastern) and arriving in DEN just after 6 p.m. (Mountain).

“Increased connectivity to and through Denver is a great addition for all our travelers, but especially for our semiconductor industry travelers,” Jason Terreri, SRAA executive director, said in the announcement. “The twice daily service provides convenient one-stop options into Boise, ID and the Bay Area. I would also like to thank Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and all our elected officials who have advocated for this increased service for our region, ensuring Central New York is a leader in the chip manufacturing space.”

In a separate announcement that same day, the office of U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer said the lawmaker last year called United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby, urging the airline to add a second daily flight for the route.

“I called United Airlines CEO last year and told him how important it is to improve access between Central New York and the West Coast, and I’m thrilled he heeded my calls,” Schumer said. “With Micron making historic investments in Onondaga County, this new daily flight is a critical step to connecting this region to the West Coast and other critical high-tech hubs.”

A second daily flight to Denver has been a “Syracuse airport priority for years” since its existing flight is fully booked almost every day. The senator said this new flight will improve connectivity to key West Coast and international markets.

New York home sales rise more than 3 percent in January 2025

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Subscriber Only

ALBANY — Realtors in New York state sold 7,625 previously owned homes in January, up 3.1 percent from the 7,395 existing homes they sold in January 2024. However, pending sales fell almost 5 percent in the first month of the year, foreshadowing declines in closed home sales in the next couple of months, the New

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ALBANY — Realtors in New York state sold 7,625 previously owned homes in January, up 3.1 percent from the 7,395 existing homes they sold in January 2024.

However, pending sales fell almost 5 percent in the first month of the year, foreshadowing declines in closed home sales in the next couple of months, the New York State Association of Realtors (NYSAR) said in its January housing report issued on Feb. 21.

“Housing sales improved for the second consecutive month despite interest rates continuing to hover near seven percent,” NYSAR said to open its report.

NYSAR cites Freddie Mac as indicating interest rates on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage have hovered between 6 percent and 7 percent for most of the last two-and-a-half years. In January, rates settled in at 6.96 percent, on average. By comparison, a year ago at this time, the average interest rate stood at 6.64 percent, NYSAR said. Freddie Mac is the more common way of referring to the Virginia–based Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.

New York sales data

The inventory of homes for sale in New York state totaled 22,876 in January, down 3.2 percent from the January 2024 figure of 23,640.

The months supply of homes for sale at the end of January stood at 2.6 months, unchanged compared to the year-prior month, per NYSAR. A 6-month to 6.5-month supply is considered a balanced market, the association says.

New listings in New York rose 0.5 percent to 9,125 in January from 9,078 in the year-earlier period.

Pending home sales in the Empire State totaled 6,520 in January, a drop of 4.9 percent from the 6,855 pending sales in the same month in 2024, according to the NYSAR data.

Amid continued tight home supply, home prices in the state continued to rise in the latest month. The January 2025 statewide median sales price was $425,000, up 6.25 percent from the January 2024 median price of $400,000.

All home-sales data is compiled from multiple-listing services in New York, and it includes townhomes and condominiums in addition to existing single-family homes, according to NYSAR.

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