named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Downtown Farmers Market
Weekly market in Clinton Square featuring local farmers, vendors, fresh food, and entertainment, running from June through October.
Downtown Wishlist
Strategic initiative to identify and advance community-driven priorities for downtown improvement and development.
Economic Development
Supports business retention and attraction, manages real estate listings, identifies incentives, and runs a "Pop-Up" retail program to activate vacant storefronts.
Environmental Maintenance
Comprehensive cleaning and maintenance services including litter control, graffiti removal, tree care, flower basket installation, and snow plow assistance.
Marketing & Communications
Organizes signature events, promotes downtown businesses, produces research reports, and manages digital presence and community engagement initiatives.
Security Program
Operates a Downtown Security & Information Center, patrols daily, manages security cameras, and provides safety seminars and audits for residents and businesses.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Business Improvement District Management 2 activities
- Operate and maintain capital improvement projects in downtown SyracuseOperates and maintains capital improvement projects in a special assessment district to promote economic development in downtown Syracuse under contract with the City of Syracuse, including streetscape maintenance, repairs and replacement of street furniture, and management of parking lots.
- Support downtown economic development through real estate and business servicesLists and maintains up-to-date information on available real estate, produces occupancy and retail market reports, operates a Pop-Up retail program to connect entrepreneurs with vacant storefronts, and welcomes new businesses with orientation programs, website listings, and promotional support.
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Neighborhood Revitalization Initiatives 1 activity
- Address quality of life concerns through community outreachAddresses quality of life concerns by coordinating a Downtown task force that enhances outreach by social service providers to support residents and employees in downtown Syracuse.
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Community Safety Patrols & Security Support 1 activity
- Ensure public safety and security in downtown SyracuseDeploys part-time security officers for daily patrols, operates the Downtown Security & Information Center, answers public safety calls via the 423-HELP hotline, installs and maintains security cameras, conducts personal safety seminars, provides security audits, distributes security information, and acts as a liaison between the downtown business community and the Syracuse Police Department.
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Visitor & Business Guide Distribution 1 activity
- Maintain digital presence and promote downtown SyracuseMaintains and promotes downtown Syracuse through a digital presence with over 29,000 social media followers, weekly newsletters, and website content to support businesses and community engagement.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Organize downtown events and cultural programmingOrganizes annual signature events including the Downtown Syracuse Farmers Market, Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival, Dining Weeks, Spring Spotlight Series, Open Up Downtown, and an Annual Meeting featuring the State of the Downtown Report and Awards of Excellence.
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Supplemental Urban Sanitation Services 1 activity
- Provide downtown maintenance and cleanliness servicesConducts daily litter patrol, sidewalk flushing, gum and graffiti removal, mowing, weed cutting, hedge trimming, tree maintenance, flower basket installation and maintenance, and organizes annual spring and Earth Day cleanup events to ensure downtown Syracuse remains clean and attractive.
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Managed Parking Services 1 activity
- Provide parking information and management in downtown SyracuseProvides a comprehensive list of parking options including lots, garages, operators, and rates, and manages parking lots as part of downtown maintenance operations.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Produce research and market reports on downtown SyracuseProduces and maintains Semi-Annual Occupancy Reports, Retail Reports, and other informative reports on market trends in downtown Syracuse in collaboration with the Economic Development team for stakeholders.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.85M
Contributions & grants$241K13%
Program service revenue$1.56M84%
Investment income$18K1%
Other revenue$31K
expenses
Total expenses$1.74M
Program expenses89%
Admin / overhead11%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$1.13M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.54M
Cash$1.12M
Investments$0
Liabilities$347K
Net assets$1.19M
Liquid reserves7.7 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +1.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MERIKE TREIER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $151K |
board members · 15
- ALBERTO BIANCHETTI — DIRECTOR
- ANTHONY FIORITO — CHAIR
- BRIAN DONNELLY — DIRECTOR
- CHARLIE BREUER — DIRECTOR
- CJALA SURRATT — DIRECTOR
- EDWARD RILEY — TREASURER
- JO ANNE CHIARENZA GAGLIANO — VICE CHAIR
- JOSEPH BRYANT — DIRECTOR
- KARYN KORTELING — DIRECTOR
- MEG TIDD — DIRECTOR
- MELISSA ZELL — SECRETARY
- NICOLE SAMOLIS — DIRECTOR
- RON TASCARELLA — TREASURER
- RUTHNIE ANGRAND — DIRECTOR
- SUSAN R KATZOFF — DIRECTOR
relationships · 20
Who they work with
- Allyn Family Foundation Partner — Board member serves as Executive Director of Allyn Family Foundation
- Central New York Community Foundation Funder — Funder supporting downtown revitalization initiatives
- City of Syracuse Government — Board includes Corporation Counsel from the City of Syracuse
- City of Syracuse Government — Contracts with the organization to operate and maintain capital improvement projects in a special assessment district for downtown economic development.
- City of Syracuse Government — Serves as a community liaison with the City of Syracuse for economic development matters.
- City of Syracuse Partner — Collaborates with the City of Syracuse and the Office of the Mayor to recognize long-standing businesses through Mayoral Proclamations.
- City of Syracuse - Neighborhood & Business Development Partner — Partner in downtown revitalization efforts
- Community Bank Partner — Presenting sponsor of the Downtown Syracuse Farmers Market.
- Marriott Syracuse Downtown Partner — Partner in downtown revitalization efforts
- National Grid Partner — Board member represents Central NY Regional Director / Customer and Community Management at National Grid
- Office of the Mayor Partner — Partners with the Office of the Mayor to present Mayoral Proclamations to long-standing Downtown businesses.
- Onondaga County Government — Board includes Deputy County Executive from Onondaga County
- Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency Partner — Partner in downtown revitalization efforts
- Syracuse Government — Works within the city of Syracuse where property owners are responsible for sidewalk snow clearing, while the Downtown Committee provides supplemental assistance.
- Syracuse Police Department Partner — Liaison relationship to coordinate public safety efforts between the business community and law enforcement.
- Syracuse University Partner — Partner in downtown revitalization efforts
- Syracuse Urban Partnership Partner — Board member serves as Executive Director of Syracuse Urban Partnership
- The OnCenter Partner — Partner in downtown revitalization efforts
- Visions Federal Credit Union Partner — Presenting sponsor of Downtown Syracuse Dining Weeks.
- property owners and tenants within the central business district Partner — Represents all property owners and tenants in the downtown central business district
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Collaborative Network Development for Community Outcomesmethodology: collaborative_network_developmentBy building partnerships across community organizations and creating structured task forces, the organization improves quality of life and service access because coordinated networks increase resource reach and enable proactive solutions to systemic downtown challenges.
- Place-Based Economic Revitalizationmethodology: special_assessment_districtBy implementing a special assessment district model and targeted capital improvements, the organization drives economic development because dedicated funding and coordinated management enhance downtown's physical attractiveness, safety, and accessibility, which in turn attracts investment and activity.
- Placemaking and Public Space Activationmethodology: placemakingBy designing human-centered public spaces and activating them through events like farmers markets, the organization increases downtown vibrancy because engaging, accessible environments encourage foot traffic, support local businesses, and foster community connection.