Syracuse Looking To Market Technology Park
Syracuse Redevelopment Commission continued its discussion on marketing the SR 13/U.S. 6 technology and industrial park during a meeting Tuesday afternoon.
Syracuse Town Manager Henry DeJulia reported he had looked at various real estate websites as a way to market the park. He found three sites that offered free listings, however, for premium placement on the site, a fee is charged.
Commission member Larry Siegel suggested listing the park for free while Commission member Dan VanLue asked what type of commitment the sites required. Basic commitment is for at least a year.
There was discussion on how to pay for marketing the park. DeJulia explained Economic Development Income Tax revenue or Tax Increment Finance funds could be used. E.D.I.T. funds may be used for infrastructure while the use of TIF funds must be approved by the town council.
After discussion it was agreed to ask the Syracuse Town Council for $20,000 in TIF funds.
Discussion turned to land cost scenario. The commission decided to incentivize the sale of the first lot and then offer different options for those lots sold afterward.
Commission member and local realtor Ernie Rogers said asking for $20,000 an acre is reasonable, but getting that first building sold in the park will be key. Siegel recommended parameters be set as to when construction of a building has to be completed after the lot is purchased.
The commission felt the most important variables in selling the lots are increasing the number of jobs in the area, a company’s investment in the area, selling the lots and construction beginning soon after the property is sold.
Siegel and fellow commission member Paul Stoelting said the packages to sell the lots should be as simple as possible. There was also discussion as to whether to require the jobs created fall within a required wage amount such as white collar versus blue collar.
(For a more in-depth account of the meeting, see today’s issue of The Mail-Journal.)