By Tim Knauss
Posted on syracuse.com, April 16, 2014
A new mixed-used development that includes the site of the former Otisca Building on Syracuse’s North Side got the green light today when Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced $5.1 million in state funding for the Salina Crossing project.
Salina Crossing, which includes 10 sites on the North and South sides of Syracuse, will comprise a total of 49 units of affordable housing and 5,900 square feet of commercial space. Housing Visions Consultants Inc. is the developer.
The biggest piece of the $15 million project will be a 23,877-square-foot building at the site of the former Otisca Building at Butternut and McBride streets, which was demolished in 2012. The new mixed-use building will include 4,700 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor and 20 apartments on the second and third floors.
Housing Visions also plans to renovate a commercial structure in the 1900 block of South Salina Street. All told, the project will involve four building renovations and the construction of six new buildings.
The project will include portions of the 1900 and 2000 blocks of South Salina Street, the 100 block of McLennan Avenue, the 600 and 800 blocks of North Townsend Street, the 100 block of Hawley Avenue, and the 600 and 900 blocks of North McBride Street.