City of Syracuse Board of Assessment Review Hearing - February 17, 2026

The Board of Assessment Review (BAR) convened on February 17, 2026, to hear two property assessment grievances. The first involved a commercial property at 2112 Erie Boulevard East that suffered severe water damage from a copper pipe theft, and the second involved multiple parcels associated with Destiny USA, presented by a representative. No public comments or consent calendar items were addressed.

Discussion Items

• 2112 Erie Boulevard East (Petitioners Sabura and Gallagher): The petitioners requested a reduction in assessed value from $570,300 (full market value) to $300,000, citing a robbery in August 2025 where copper pipes were cut, causing prolonged flooding and extensive mold throughout the 20,000-square-foot building. The interior is completely gutted, remediation is ongoing (insurance has paid $1.2 million to date), and the building is unsafe to enter. The petitioners argued the property is now worth only the land value. The board requested current interior photos to verify the condition and asked for them to be submitted by the following Friday (February 21, 2026).
• Destiny USA Parcels (Petitioner Lauren Weber): Ms. Weber presented grievances for over 20 parcels, divided into two groups: vacant industrial parcels (former oil storage sites with environmental contamination) and dedicated parking parcels for Destiny USA. She argued that assessed values far exceed fair market value due to limited use, environmental liabilities, and lack of development potential. For three vacant parcels (478 Solar St., 931 N. Clinton St., and 967 N. Clinton St.) that have been listed for sale, no offers have been received. The board asked for the asking prices of those parcels to compare with assessed values. All parcels are currently in litigation. The board indicated it would continue to hold the current land values steady as determined in prior hearings.

Key Outcomes

• For the Erie Boulevard East property, the board deferred a decision pending receipt of current interior photos, which must be emailed by the next Friday session (February 21, 2026). The city will send a notice of the final determination in early April.
• For the Destiny USA parcels, the board requested additional information (listing prices of the three for-sale parcels) by the next Friday session. The matter remains in litigation, and no immediate changes to assessments were made.
• No formal votes were taken; all items were continued for further review.