Syracuse Joint Parks & Public Safety Committee Meeting: Pump Track Relocation and Police Parking Proposal (October 21, 2026)

On October 21, 2026, the Syracuse Common Council's Parks and Public Safety Committees held a joint meeting to discuss the city's proposal to remove the community-built pump track near Light Bar Park to construct a 72-space parking lot for the new Public Safety Building. The city proposed building a new pump track elsewhere in the park. The meeting featured presentations from city staff, a robust question-and-answer session with councilors, and extensive public testimony. No formal vote was taken.

Discussion Items

• City Staff Presentation: Eric Ennis (Chief Strategy Officer), Parks Commissioner Saeesha Bird, and Deputy Chief Milano presented the city's plan. They detailed a need for 451 parking spaces to support the public safety building and fire operations. The proposed 72-space parking lot at the current pump track site was identified as the most cost-effective and proximate option. The city stated that $300,000 has been fully appropriated in the current year's capital plan for a new, city-maintained pump track, integrated with the planned West Side Trail (which has secured over $1 million in funding). They argued the new location would be an improvement over the current unmaintained, degraded track.
• Councilor Questions and Pushback: Councilors questioned the lack of an engineer's estimate for the parking lot cost. Councilor Majuk raised preserving the existing track but was told finding alternative parking remains the core conflict. Councilor Nave expressed strong concerns about "broken promises," asking how the community could be assured the new pump track would be built. Commissioner Bird stated the money is secured and "it is not a matter of if, it is a matter of when." Councilor Arenreich (Chair) strongly critiqued the proposal, asserting community feedback overwhelmingly focused on keeping and improving the pump track, not on parking. She called the proposed new design "small," "crammed," and unlikely to be the "Grade A pump track" the city deserves. Council President Penagua sought common ground, asking the public if an alternative site could work, and defended the council's record on skate parks. Councilor Hudson questioned why alternative abandoned lots (e.g., Erie/Geddes) were not pursued. Deputy Chief Milano explained the critical need for proximate parking for officer safety, equipment security, and collective bargaining requirements.

Public Comments & Testimony

An overwhelming majority of speakers opposed the parking lot at the current pump track location.

• On Trust and Process: Speakers (Randy Hadzor, Tommy Lincoln, Ryan Cohen, Marty) expressed deep frustration and distrust, stating the city failed to maintain the original pump track (a "broken promise" to pave it) and is now removing it for a police-only lot. The community engagement process was criticized as insufficient and adversarial.
• Alternative Locations: Several speakers (Tommy Lincoln, Shea Patel, Jeff Buleski, Andrew Bowes) identified underutilized lots within walking distance, including the Gettys Plaza, 500 West Fayette, and the Erie & Geddes lot, arguing their use would avoid destroying a community asset.
• Safety and Design Concerns: Speakers noted the current pump track is safely "tucked back" from dangerous West Fayette traffic. The proposed relocation eliminates existing park parking and places the track closer to the street, creating safety hazards for children.
• Demands for Community Leadership: Speaker Ryan Cohen made three formal demands: 1) Stop the parking lot at the current pump track site; 2) Move forward with community-led design of a new paved pump track at its current location; 3) Request a formal economic impact study for a "West Side Arts and Cultural District." Speaker Shea Patel requested the committee require a public evaluation of existing lots before proceeding.
• Correction on Funding: An audience member corrected the record, stating the $300,000 is specifically "earmarked and marked for Light Bar Park," clarifying it was not the vague "up to $300,000" figure used earlier.

Key Outcomes

• No vote was taken by the committee(s).
• Written public comments will be formally circulated to the Common Council and the Mayor's office.
• The primary demands directed at the Council from the public were to stop the parking lot at the current site, mandate a serious review of alternative parking locations, allow the community to lead the pump track design, and commission an economic impact study for an Arts District.
• City staff committed to following up on preliminary cost estimates for the proposed parking lot.
• The record remains open for written comments.