The Syracuse University Carrier Dome is the largest domed stadium on any American college campus. Other university landmarks include Hendricks Chapel, the Second Empire-styled Hall of Languages and the multi-gabled Crouse College – the first College of Fine Arts in America. Much of downtown Syracuse is still draped in heritage architecture such as is displayed in the Greek Revival commercial buildings around Hanover Square and the old Romanesque-styled banks on Clinton Square. The Beaux Arts government buildings on Columbus Circle also remain. The city’s tallest building is still the Art Deco State Tower Building from 1928.
The Erie Canal that shaped the growth of the city in the 1800s still flows right through the heart of the city. It’s now peppered with walking trails, parks, and souvenir brick commercial buildings where canal boats once docked to load and unload goods. The canal was so important that the entrance to the towering Richardsonian Romanesque City Hall once faced the water; however, it has since been switched towards the street.
There are 24,651 single family homes and 427 row houses in Syracuse. Real estate trends favoring the student population have produced 8,273 multi-family properties in the housing market, as well as 1,223 apartments. 107 other residential properties also join the local housing mix. The real estate market in the city includes 1,948 commercial properties, 631 industrial sites and 405 classified as mixed use. The Department of Neighborhood and Business Development works to add to the overall home value of the city by promoting many of its 3,755 vacant lots.
Central New York Regional Transportation Authority (Centro) manages a fleet of 287 buses for public transportation across four counties, including the city of Syracuse, which acts as the anchor for most routes.
The Syracuse City School District provides education for over 20,000 students, aimed towards five high schools in the district. In addition to Syracuse University, the city is home to private colleges, medical schools and branches of several nearby colleges.
The SUNY Upstate Medical University is the region’s largest employer, supplying the Syracuse area with skilled health care. The facility is nationally recognized for heart treatment. St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center is ranked as one of the 25 best care facilities in New York state.
FBI statistics reveal a 1 in 27 chance of encountering property crime in Syracuse compared to 1 in 62 in New York state. For violent crime, the data suggests chances of 1 in 124 and 1 in 263, respectively.
Neighborhood pride runs deep in Syracuse and it is not unusual to find businesses in operation for many generations. The Columbus Baking Company and Thano’s Import Market in the Little Italy section are just two such family businesses. Newcomers will soon get acquainted with the daily specials at the city’s celebrated diners: The Gem, Mother’s Cupboard – home of the 6-pound Frittata Challenge for serious eaters – Stella’s, and Mama Nancy’s. Shopping and entertainment is likely to mean Destiny USA, but old-timers are still likely to call it Carousel Center. By any name, it is the 6th largest shopping center in the United States.
The Museum of Science and Technology and Everson Museum of Art head a long roster of museums and galleries in the city. The Erie Canal Museum tells the region’s story and displays an antique bullhead boat. The remnants of the canal and its descendants provide recreational opportunities these days. The city borders Onondaga Lake with its over 4 square miles of watery fun. Syracuse sits in the middle of the Northeast snow belt, bringing another opportunity for outdoor play.
Cold weather also means the Syracuse Orange men’s basketball team is getting ready to play. Only five schools have won more basketball games than Syracuse and the school holds the record for the largest on-campus crowd to ever watch a basketball game – 35,466.
