SYRACUSE — Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh on Aug. 1 announced the completion of a road reconstruction project on South Clinton Street, converting the street from one way to two ways between West Jefferson and Taylor Streets. 

The conversion makes it easier to get around downtown Syracuse and improves safety for pedestrians and drivers, the mayor contends.

The project involved milling and paving five blocks of Clinton Street from West Jefferson to Taylor Streets. The conversion included the restriping of crosswalks to try to increase pedestrian safety, and the addition of bike lanes on both sides of the street. The project also introduced narrower north and southbound lanes as well as on-street parking in an attempt to reduce traffic speeds.

“The completion of the Clinton Street two-way conversion is welcomed by people living and working in the southern end of Downtown. By better connecting the central business district to our neighborhoods, we are continuing to activate the renaissance of Downtown Syracuse,” Walsh said in a release. “The conversion is also consistent with our Vision Zero commitment to make Syracuse a safer city for all forms of transportation.”

Mayor Walsh, in his 2023 State of the City address, outlined his commitment to making Syracuse a Vision Zero city. 

The Vision Zero Network is a collaborative, nonprofit campaign helping communities set and reach the goal of Vision Zero — eliminating traffic fatalities and severe injuries among all road users — while increasing safe, healthy, and equitable mobility, according to the Vision Zero Network website.

The Vision Zero strategy is “a comprehensive approach to traffic safety that considers everything from lane widths to land use to lower speed limits,” the mayor’s release stated.

SYRACUSE — The City of Syracuse recently completed the move of numerous offices from City Hall Commons to One Park Place.

The move was part of the city’s initiative to rehabilitate and redevelop the historic flatiron-style City Hall Commons building.

The following City of Syracuse departments and divisions relocated to floor 7 at One Park Place (located at 300 South State St.) and reopened to the public on Aug. 29, after being temporary closed to walk-in visitors for one week: 

• Citizen Review Board

• Code Enforcement 

• Mayor’s Office to Reduce Gun Violence

• Neighborhood and Business Development 

• Neighborhood Watch 

• Planning and Sustainability 

• Syracuse Fire Department: Bureau of Fire Prevention 

• Syracuse Police Department: Ordinance Enforcement 

• Syracuse Police Department: Office of Professional Standards 

The new city offices at One Park Place will “provide a collaborative and efficient workspace designed to improve staff work environment and enhance constituent services,” , according to a news release from Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh’s office.

Visitors need to check in with the building-security attendant on floor 1 before they can access the elevator to reach city offices, per the mayor’s office. The main entrance to One Park Place should be accessed from South State Street. 

The City’s Central Permit Office reopened on Aug. 25 and has a separate entrance located on the south side of the building, on East Onondaga Street. Limited off-street parking is available for visitors at the One Park Place parking lot, located at 343 E. Onondaga St. 

“I am excited about what this move means to the people we serve,” Mayor Walsh said in the release. “The new Central Permit Office is more easily accessible and offers a one-stop shop for anyone needing assistance with permits, licenses, and inspections. All other departments and divisions are now located on the same floor, with a central reception and waiting area. The change allows us to deliver more efficient services and improves the overall experience for visitors.”