To the Editor:
Regarding “In a surprise move, 92 Syracuse public housing units could be replaced by a hospital building” (Jan. 30, 2024):
Syracuse.com reported the Syracuse Housing Authority is considering a plan to allow SUNY Upstate Medical University to build an eight-story optometry school on land now occupied by 92 housing units near Interstate 81. I wanted to express my concern and frustration with SHA. As a Syracuse resident (I live on the South Side in District 9) who works in a homeless shelter five minutes away from Pioneer Homes, I have great concerns and questions about the plan and its implementation.
Based on the reactions in the community, public housing residents weren’t alerted to this plan.
Is SUNY Upstate the only choice? Are there other corporations who may have better services to provide in exchange for the land?
The extension of Syracuse Community Health Center has recently been complete. Is another medical clinic in the area necessary within the community?
I understand the optometry school could bring in extra security through policing of the building and area, and jobs and internships for youth living in housing. Is there a guarantee these benefits will be extended to public housing residents?
With the residents being unaware of this proposal, it doesn’t bode well that they are the priority and their concerns are being met. I am hoping SHA can pause on this proposal, meet with its residents, and gain a consensus on what they believe would be the best options for them.
With housing being incredibly hard to access right now in the city, displacing families in those units doesn’t seem like an ideal solution for an optometry school few housing residents could attend anyway.
Kiana L. Williams
Syracuse
Related:
Plans to build optometry school in place of Syracuse public housing on hold after public reacts
In surprise move, 92 Syracuse public housing units could be replaced by a hospital building