Can a New Streetscape Help Heal Syracuse's Low-Income Near Westside?

"Five blocks on Syracuse’s Near Westside neighborhood is undergoing a public space makeover to help rebrand and promote activity in the historically low-income area," reports Branden Klayko. "On April 15, Boston-based Stoss Landscape Urbanism, working with Höweler + Yoon Architecture, was named winner of the Movement on Main: Designing the Healthy Main Street competition for their playful approach to promoting an active public realm."

"Stoss’ concept—called 'Light Play!'—uses readily available and inexpensive off-the-shelf products to create a playful streetscape designed around a series of outdoor rooms and 'activity mounds,'” explains Klayko.

“The challenge is, can you deliver a cost-effective streetscape to act as a catalyst for improving the sociology of an area, to get people out on their feet?” said Richard Weller, jury chair, who selected the project for its innovative design and pragmatic approach to utilizing a limited $1.5 million budget.