Proposal to build new hotel causes concern over lack of parking

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — Concerns over not having enough hotels in Syracuse isn’t the only problem. The lack of parking is also a major worry for people who work in the city, including healthcare workers.

Uncertainty surrounding the future of a county-owned parking lot across from the Everson Museum is growing.

Earlier this week, Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon announced a proposal to build a new hotel in the parking lot to help meet the city’s need for more lodging, while also bringing in convention business.

But not everyone is for the new plan, including a nurse at Upstate’s Health Care Center who asked to remain anonymous.

“I feel like they don’t care about us getting to work and parking safely,” said the Upstate nurse.

She says several Upstate employees, including herself, pay nearly $90.00 monthly to park at the lot. She also adds that she’s been parking at the lot for four years now, and there’s currently a waiting list.

“Parking is a serious issue in Syracuse. I understand that major cities, parking is an issue too. But I wouldn’t say that Syracuse is a major city. We need reliable, close parking,” said the Upstate nurse.

The Upstate employee is now worried she won’t have a place to park if the county’s new proposal to build a convention center hotel at the parking lot is approved.

“We need reliable, close parking. I did give up my garage spot at Upstate when I came here for this spot because it was closer and now it’s closing. I just really feel like we should consider where we would be putting a hotel possibly. I think there might be better spots that wouldn’t displace many people,” said the Upstate nurse.

She says the only other option right now is to park at the former Sam’s Club on Erie Blvd. and then take a shuttle downtown to work. An option she feels is unacceptable.

“If you’re working for the state and the closest lot is 10 minutes away that you have to go early to get there to get the shuttle, then to get to work. I’ve heard through other employees who do that, the shuttle is not super reliable, it’s not always on time and especially for some of my coworkers who have kids and sick parents. You need to have your car with you or at least close by. You can’t rely on a shuttle to bring you 10 minutes to your car and then try to get wherever you need to go if there’s an emergency,” said the Upstate nurse.

But she says it’s not just parking that’s a big concern, but also safety.

“Cars sometimes fly by here. There are crosswalks but not in convenient places so yeah it is a little scary that we cross these roads every single day and that we’ve had one of our own actually pass away from getting hit by a car. So it kind of puts things into perspective that you know that could’ve been any one of us and parking is a real issue. I think if we had closer parking it would possibly prevented things like that from happening,” said the Upstate nurse.

Upstate Hospital says the locations of lots and garages where employees can park can be found here. Upstate says when their garages are full and spaces become available, they are offered to staff who have been on a waiting list. Spaces are filled on a rolling basis as they open.

The county executive’s office released this statement to NewsChannel 9:

We understand and appreciate the concerns raised by some with respect to the potential loss of parking spots on that side of downtown. We are committed to assisting those who may lose parking find alternative parking locations when the hotel is built.

Justin Sayles, Executive Communications Director for Onondaga County & County Executive J. Ryan McMahon, II

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