$10 Million Dredging Project Completed at Inner Harbor

It’s long been one of the city’s most untapped resources. Now Syracuse’s inner harbor will serve as a gateway to the rest of the world thanks to a $10 million project that made it all possible.

Two feet — that was the depth of the Inner Harbor, barely deep enough for a canoe.

“But first the boats must be able to get here and that has been the problem,” said New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian Stratton.

The city found a solution — dredging the navigation channel. Now, it is 7.5 feet deep, giving boaters new access to the Salt City.

“We couldn’t be more excited about the future of the city of Syracuse’s waterfront,” said Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh.

Restaurants, hotels, and other development have been popping up around the Inner Harbor.

“We see the new development on the other side here,” said Walsh. “And I think everyone would agree it hasn’t happened as quickly as we would all like but it is happening.”

The attractions will create a wealth of opportunities for Central New Yorkers. From the harbor, boaters can go to just about any major city in the state — even beyond Central New York.

“From here you can get in a boat and you can go around the world and it’s really incredible to say that here in Syracuse,” said SUNY ESF Chief Operating Officer Joanie Mahoney.

That also means visitors from around the world have a new way to travel here as well.

“This is going to be another opportunity to be able to bring boaters here,” said Stratton. “To be able to stay overnight, to be able to dine and be able to shop.”

And not just in the harbor. The creek walk will connect people to downtown Syracuse businesses as well.

Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon believes the harbor is just one marker in measuring the success of Syracuse’s revitalization.

“The fact that we can now have boats come in from all over the country to see Onondaga Lake and everything we’ve done, to come into the Inner Harbor and enjoy our city, shows that we are a community on the rise and we’re revitalizing ourselves every week,” he said.

City officials say water taxis could even be a possibility in the future. These would take passengers through the harbor and to popular spots on Onondaga Lake.

“We talk about what helps knit us together as a community, and what helps us attract people to want to live, work, and play here,” said McMahon.

_{Source: spectrumlocalnews.com}