Crowne Plaza could turn into apartments; Planning Commission to hear proposal

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — The Syracuse Planning Commission will hear a proposal next week for a project to turn the Crowne Plaza hotel into an apartment building.

“It’s a project that exemplifies a mixed-income housing development opportunity with market-rate housing, which there is a major need for that, and it also brings on affordable housing here in the heart of Syracuse and in the urban core,” said Eric Ennis, the deputy commissioner of neighborhood and business development.

The proposed project calls for turning 277 hotel rooms into 287 apartment units. The restaurant will also remain on the ground floor.

“It is a significant multi-million-dollar investment in the city of Syracuse,” Ennis said. “That is something that is very substantial and a great opportunity.”

However, if the project is approved, the city will lose around 500 hotel rooms, with the Syracuse University Sheraton transitioning to student housing in the coming months. Ennis says they are working with developers to build new hotels.

“One of the things we are doing is having proactive conversations with numerous different developers who really are looking at the city of Syracuse and look at the urban core to bring new hotel units online,” he said.

The proposal is still in the early stages. It’s set to be heard by the planning commission next Monday.

“They’ll be entertaining that project,” Ennis said. “They’ll learn more about project details, ask questions of the developer and they’ll have a representative speaking on behalf of the project.”

It could be a royal change for housing in the Salt City.