Crowne Plaza moves one step closer to becoming apartment building

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — The new owners of the Crowne Plaza view it as the next chapter for the city of Syracuse, by converting this hotel into housing.

“What I think this will do is breathe life into an old building,” said Brian Bouchard, a representative with CHA Consulting.

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By also adding new amenities like a central H-VAC system, laundry space in every unit, a basement for storage and keeping the restaurant intact.

“These are the market-rate apartments with 12% of the units as part of the affordable component for renters at the 80% AMI income level,” Bouchard said. “We have sent that affordable component to MED and they have provided back to us their compliance for the affordability requirement.”

The outside of the building will be getting some fresh black paint.

“Essentially, there is no new construction. No building additions or demolition associated with the exterior,” Bouchard said.

The CEO of Visit Syracuse, the only one raising concerns.

“From the government standpoint, this is $18 million of economic activity that conventions generate, that the Crowne has been attached too,” he said. “An $18 million loss annually. That’s jobs, that’s tax revenue.”

But CHA Consulting says the loss of the hotel could open new doors.

“Developers feel that there is a gap that needs to be filled with a new convention center and motel space that’s well equipped,” Bouchard said. “This will trigger that even more.”

The commission approved the site plan review.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do, and we look forward to setting this building up for success for the next 75 years of its life,” said Mills Buxton a member of the development team.

Renovations begin in June and the apartments will open in Fall of 2025.

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