Working with a concept and support from Innovative Resources, community leaders in Syracuse, NY established the nonprofit Cathedral Square Development Corporation and the Cathedral Square Neighborhood Association to enable key downtown institutions to collaborate on a shared vision for the historic Columbus Circle/Fayette Park neighborhood.
The mission of CSDC is to establish a dynamic and sustainable neighborhood through the integration of arts, service, living and learning.The Central New York Community Foundation serves as CSDC’s fiscal sponsor. The Community Foundation provides administrative support to CSDC and, as a 501 (c) 3 charitable organization, ensures that all contributions to CSDC and its projects are tax deductible and essential to building a stronger community.
The endeavor began when the Cathedral retained Innovative Resources to determine how funds could be raised to repair the roof of the magnificent stone Cathedral - built in the 19th century - and renovate and find a new use for the former Cathedral School. The discussions evolved from there to the Cathedral's desire to expand mission-centered teaching, learning, and community-building services, and to generate revenue to support these services.
Ultimately it was decided that a full-scale neighborhood redevelopment effort would help build community and generate needed funds. This would be undertaken in an unprecedented, pioneering collaboration with a number of unaffiliated community organizations to find a way to fund nonprofit community and cultural services and integrate them into a neighborhood with affordable, market rate and affordable housing options; social service agencies; restaurants; arts organizations; work and living spaces artists in residence, professional offices; small retail stores selling groceries, books, and clothing, and perhaps a bakery operated by the culinary program of a local college or university. The objective is reclaiming one of the most architecturally distinctive and lovely streetscapes in Syracuse as a thriving and diverse cultural, civic and spiritual center.
