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The soon-to-open Syracuse aquarium, located at the city's Inner Harbor, is set to become a hub for film and television production. Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon announced plans to offer financial incentives to producers who choose the aquarium as a filming location. The aquarium, a $100 million project, is expected to open next year and will feature as the backdrop for various productions, including the children's TV show "Emergen-Sea," which focuses on rescuing sea creatures.
McMahon expressed confidence in securing the remaining $6 million needed for the aquarium's construction, noting that any excess funds could support educational programming. He emphasized the potential for the aquarium to attract filmmakers, saying, "We’re going to open the doors of the venue to those in the community to make film from an educational standpoint." The aquarium will also be eligible for the New York State film tax credit, enhancing its appeal to production companies.
The first project slated for filming at the aquarium is "Emergen-Sea," an educational series designed for children, which will air on WCNY. McMahon's initiative aims to establish the aquarium as a prominent filming location, potentially boosting the local economy and creating new opportunities for the film industry in Syracuse.