Vito Sciscioli
Former Executive Director of Syracuse 20/20
Vito Sciscioli is known as an “icon of community development” in Syracuse. He served for
32 years in city government, holding various offices including Commissioner of Community
Development, Director of Community & Economic Development, Director of City
Operations, and Vice Chair of the Syracuse Industrial Development Agency. He is chairman
of the Greater Syracuse Land Bank board and has served on the boards of the Salvation
Army, Home Headquarters, Housing Visions, Leadership Greater Syracuse, Syracuse
Housing Authority, and Rebuild Syracuse. He was an adjunct professor of Metropolitan
Government and Politics at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School. His expertise is called
upon regularly by public and private-sector agencies.
Q. What do you think makes Downtown Syracuse beautiful?
A. When the dramatic downtown streetscape improvements were being planned in the 1990s
to deal with the decrepit
sidewalks, no longer serving the functional needs of the buildings that fronted on them and presenting serious public hazards because of their
structural deficiencies, I asked the question of those working on the project, “who speaks for beauty?”
Because Downtown is a fabric of buildings and streetscape, the individual decisions of private owners regarding reinvestment in their buildings
cannot be solely relied on to deal with change and with high standards regarding aesthetic value. Government today struggles as well, witness
the debate over the Carnegie Building that is going on at present. While the “new economy” often talks about the change to the industrial
landscape and its impact on the local economy, changes in technology and resultant mergers in finance, real estate, telecommunications and
insurance have impacted central business districts as well, Syracuse included.
“Place alone
will not create
beauty without
people.”
The concept of a special assessment district (our Downtown Committee) that would enhance services
provided by local government and attempt to influence private decisions regarding real estate management
and investments cannot be overlooked. For years this voice has been consistently in the mix when trying to
deal with the fabric that is Downtown Syracuse. The fabric is worn in spots, things come and go, maintaining
a continuous effort is important to adapt to the future. We have some good “bones” with great urban space
like Clinton Square, Hanover Square, and Columbus Circle with outstanding examples of architecture.
We also have our share of drab, uninteresting buildings and gaps that need new life. Asking this question
this time of year is hard. We are absent color, life and cleanliness. It is our “mud season,” to use an
Adirondack description of the season. As the Public Works Director from the mid 80s to mid 90s I prayed for April showers to wash away the
grime. Innovative private investors are what can make this goal a reality and we are fortunate to have some. Lighting is important and I can
remember the comments of my sister when we attended the Opera in the fall about the illuminated buildings (stunning) in Columbus Circle.
But having a forum and organization that provides continuous discussion, collectively amassing resources to make direct investments, is really
important to trying to make the fabric as beautiful as it can be.
And finally, adaptively using existing downtown buildings for housing is the most dramatic improvement that I can recall because not only
has it rescued many architecturally interesting buildings, but brought a 24-hour presence to the place. And place alone will not create beauty
without people.