Storefront upgrades are coming to Syracuse’s north side, and a big piece of the work looks familiar to anyone who makes a living on the wall. Onondaga County says it is putting $1.5 million into its Main Street program to help 19 businesses improve their buildings across corridors that include Butternut Salina Street, Washington Square, Hawley Green, and Prospect Hill. Business owners are matching the county’s investment with $500,000.
County Executive Ryan McMahon said the goal is to build on momentum and connect nearby destinations and neighborhoods so local businesses see more foot traffic and long-term investment. County Legislature Chairwoman Nicole Watts said visible deterioration affects how residents feel about where they live, and she said putting money into what people see every day can improve perception for neighbors and visitors.
Mayor Sharon Owens said Syracuse is pairing private building improvements with city work on infrastructure, including sidewalks and lighting, to help business districts prosper.
For mason contractors, the project list stands out because several scopes call for masonry-specific repairs that go beyond paint and signage. The plans include brick repointing and repair at properties on North Salina Street, brick repair and repointing on North State Street, and brick pointing work at another site. A Hawley-Green business is slated for brick repointing along with door work and signage. In Prospect Hill, one project lists masonry restoration alongside other exterior repairs. Other scopes mention new glass block and a stone facade as part of broader storefront updates.
Programs like this can create a steady run of smaller commercial jobs that need clean sequencing with windows, doors, lighting, and signage. When masonry repair is in the mix, clear access plans and tight coordination help keep storefronts working while crews tackle the facade.
Since 2019, the county and property owners have invested more than $38 million in 350 projects through the Main Street program.
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