Photo: Tony Shi Photography / Moment / Getty Images
Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh delivered his final briefing on Thursday (December 11), marking the end of his eight-year tenure. During his time in office, Walsh focused on reducing crime and advancing his Housing Promise initiative, which aimed to create 2,500 housing units. Over 1,000 of these units are now complete. Mayor Walsh, who made history as an independent mayor in a predominantly Democratic city, will be succeeded by Mayor-elect Sharon Owens.
Walsh's administration faced both challenges and successes. He managed to navigate crime scene tragedies while also achieving significant economic development wins. Despite the political challenges, Walsh remained committed to public service, a value deeply rooted in his family history of public servants. Reflecting on his time in office, Walsh noted the bittersweet nature of leaving a job he loved, but expressed confidence in Owens' ability to lead Syracuse forward.
Mayor-elect Sharon Owens will assume office in January, bringing a focus on addressing the housing crisis and public safety. Owens plans to guide the city through significant economic growth, particularly with Micron Technology's multibillion-dollar investment in Clay, which is expected to create nearly 50,000 jobs. Owens has already announced a transition team of community leaders to help implement her campaign platform.
As Walsh prepares to leave office, he remains optimistic about Syracuse's future, emphasizing the importance of connecting city residents to new opportunities and continuing to improve the community. He believes that the groundwork laid during his administration will help Syracuse thrive under Owens' leadership.