New York Construction Report staff writer
The City of Syracuse Industrial Development Agency (SIDA) has approved new polices to require project developers to hire more construction workers who live in the city and to contract with city or state certified minority and women business enterprises located within the County (MWBE).
New provisions were also approved that officials say will “stimulate more affordable housing in the city of Syracuse.”
Policies will take effect Jan. 1, 2023.
“These new SIDA policies align the interests of the community, project developers and the city,” said Mayor Walsh, adding the policies will strengthen the Syracuse Build initiative by creating opportunities in the construction industry for women, people of color, veterans and city residents.
The SIDA policies developed in coordination with local developers, Urban Jobs Task Force and other community partners and require:
- any project undertaken by SIDA to commit to hiring 10% of its construction workforce from residents of the city
- any project undertaken by SIDA to commit to hiring 10% of the value of its SIDA benefits to hiring MWBE vendors during the construction phase
- any project that dedicates more than 70% of its total square footage to housing must set aside 20% of the units to rent to tenants at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI) at rent equal to more than 30% of income, inclusive of utilities
“SIDA’s policies mean more city residents and more MWBE enterprises will benefit from the City’s investment in economic development projects,” Walsh said. “They will also lead to more quality, affordable workforce housing in Syracuse.”
