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Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh delivered his eighth and final State of the City address on Thursday (January 16) at Grant Middle School. During his speech, Walsh outlined an ambitious agenda, focusing on reopening a downtown fire station, increasing housing, and improving road safety. He also highlighted his administration's achievements over the past seven years.
Walsh emphasized the importance of housing, stating it remains a top priority for the city. He announced the Syracuse Housing Strategy, a multi-year plan to revitalize the city's aging housing stock. With the arrival of Micron, the strategy aims to attract home buyers and increase the city's housing units. Walsh pledged to complete the Syracuse Housing Promise, which aims to build 2,500 new quality housing units before he leaves office at the end of 2025.
Throughout his tenure, Walsh has focused on collaboration and public duty, drawing inspiration from the Athenian Oath. He expressed gratitude to his fellow elected leaders and community partners for their support in achieving the city's goals.
As Walsh's term comes to an end due to term limits, several candidates have expressed interest in running for mayor. Among them are Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens, Common Council President Pro-Tempore Pat Hogan, Councilor-at-Large Chol Majok, and Syracuse Police Department Director of Community Engagement Jimmy Oliver. Each candidate has shared their vision for the city's future, focusing on areas such as affordable housing and business development.
Walsh's final address reflected on the progress made during his administration and the challenges that remain, particularly in addressing poverty. He encouraged continued partnership and collaboration to ensure Syracuse's growth and success in the coming years.