August 1937 - August 1955

August 2, 1956

"To have such things would be identical with a woman buying a beautiful, expensive dress and then proceeding, very methodically and deliberately, to daub it all over with ink, or to slit it up the back. There are many such cases in Syracuse which the new Park commission will find it advantageous to alter." -- Syracuse Herald, July 27, 1906

City beautification, as it turned out, could be an ugly business. Parks were acres (and acres) of lush green space in an otherwise chaotic, crowded city. Like rare gems, it wasn't enough to merely appreciate their existence. Everyone wanted a piece of them, and they became an unlikely battleground for a variety of issues, such as class:

At a meeting of the board of directors of the Syracuse Associated Charities held March 28, 1906, it was voted...that it was the sentiment of the Board of Directors that the Park Commission, when created, should aim not so much at the development of an outlying boulevard and park reserve system, which would be enjoyed chiefly by the well-to-do, as at the establishment of playgrounds in the crowded sections of the city where they could be utilized by the poorest people, who stand most in need of park facilities. (Syracuse Herald, August 10, 1906)

Gender (or, perhaps more appropriately, Not In My Backyard):

H. I. Seddon, a property owner near Kirk Park, believes that the commission has a wrong idea of what is demanded. He would have pretty walks and flowers and shrubbery and benches, and make no provision for sport for men and boys. In his letter to Mayor Schoeneck, he writes:

"I am intensely interested [in Kirk Park], as I happen to own the house immediately at the entrance of the park, that is, corner of Midland and Kirk avenues...Now, as far as the writer has been able to glean from the opinions of the neighboring residents of Kirk Park, which, of course, includes the writer's own opinion, a laid-out park is desired where mothers with babies and little girls may have a safe place for outings and recreation, meaning by that, pretty walks with flowers and shrubbery, comfortable benches, etc. Such a park in that section of the city is very much needed for the benefit of women and little children. What use would a racetrack or public playground be to them? It would mean a raising of dust and constant danger... (Syracuse Herald, February 1, 1910)

Morality:

It is now suggested that the city should assume the expense of such supervision next summer at other playgrounds in the city. One thousand dollars is the sum mentioned by the leaders of the movement...it is not a large sum to pay for the results which the playground people hold up to view, the wholesome happiness of thousands of children and the saving of boys from crime...(Post-Standard editorial, November 1, 1910)

And, most of all, Politics:

A fight which threatens to lose David Campbell his position as superintendent of parks and which has upset the city government has resulted over the determination of Mayor Will and Commissioner of Public Works Van Wagner to cut openings in the wire fence surrounding Schiller Park near Grumbach Avenue.

Superintendent Campbell put the fence up a short time ago. Men employed by Commissioner Van Wagner cut the two openings in the wire Monday morning. Superintendent Campbell sent a squad of ten men to the spot today and they built a new fence. Mr. Campbell says that as fast as they tear down the fence he'll rebuild it if he has to employ a thousand men...

One of Mayor Will's arguments in favor of the openings was that boys using the park changed their clothes over the store near which one of the openings was to be located, and that the boys should have easy access to the grounds. Mr. Campbell said that if the city could not provide a place in the park grounds for the boys then the city should be ashamed of itself. (Syracuse Herald, November 6, 1914)

Apparently, the Valley Theater wasn't only place for outdoor entertainment back then.


When the Parks Commission was created in 1906, it was set up as independent of the mayoral administration, with the intent that it could complete the park and boulevard plan over a 10-20 year period, and not have to worry about being removed with every new election. In short, see a project through. While this seems logical, the Commission had absolute authority over the "development of parks, squares, parkways and playgrounds"--in essence, the design of the city, with no oversight from the city administration:

An agitation has been started for the abolition of the park commission at the next session of the Legislature...it is charged that there is a duplication of functions between the park commissioner and department of parks. The theory of the creation of the commission was that it would remove from the administration responsibility and blame for park matters. But it has proved that the administration is held responsible for what the commission does and yet has absolutely no power over the commission's activities. (Syracuse Herald, October 30, 1921)

Further complicating matters was that the responsibilities of the parks was split between different departments and job titles. Initially, the independent Park Commission made decisions regarding park development and permanent improvements of existing parks, while the Park Bureau (headed by the Superintendent of Parks), operating under the Department of Public Works, supervised construction and maintenance issues. In 1917, Mayor Walter Stone, an original member of the Park Commission, reorganized the structure somewhat, by abolishing the Park Bureau, and delegating its duties to a Commissioner of Parks, who would serve under the Mayor. Therefore, the Superintendent/Commissioner would in effect be reporting to two separate entities: the Park Commission and the City Government:

According to Mr. Campbell and other city officials, the trouble [with the Schiller Park fence situation] has resulted from the fact that Mr. Campbell is working both for the Park Commission and for the Bureau of Parks which Commissioner [of Public Works] Wagner heads. As superintendent of parks he receives $1,250 a year from the city and as expert for the commission he receives an additional $1,250. As expert for the Commission he is in charge of planning and carrying out all park plans and as superintendent of parks he cares for the parks after they have been completed...

"I've been here for 12 years now and my authority was never been questioned before," said Mr. Campbell. He said no man could work for two masters and that members of the Park Commission and Bureau of Parks ought to get together and find out what they wanted done. (Syracuse Herald, November 6, 1914)

In New York City, Robert Moses used a similar predicament to leverage his way to becoming one of the most powerful figures in New York State history, transforming the physical landscape of New York City (for better or worse) throughout the first half of the 20th century. In Syracuse, Campbell never took full advantage of this potential power (for better or worse), and park development languished for several years as each successive mayoral administration butted heads with the Park Commission/Parks Department:

The Common Council adopted a bond issue ordinance in October, 1919, during the last months of the administration of Walter Stone, former mayor [and original Park Commission member]. Among other things, $25,000 was supplied for buying certain properties in Onondaga Park...These properties were surrounded by the park lands and the buildings constituted an eyesore, destroying the whole park effect.

Two years have elapsed. The Herald's investigation shows that not only have the properties in question not been acquired, but Mayor Harry H. Farmer, who retires this year, has now reached the arbitrary conclusion that by refusing to remove the buildings in question he has helped to solve the local housing problem.

"The buildings will never be removed while I am mayor," he said, when he was informed that the city has now wasted two years in the purchase of seven or eight pieces of property... The Park Commission would ordinarily go ahead, but while David Campbell, superintendent, did not say so, it is evident that Mayor Farmer...has taken the commission by surprise.

Theoretically, the Park Commission is independent of the Mayor. But practically, the commission would not go ahead over his veto. (Syracuse Herald, October 12, 1921)

The city's next mayor, John Walrath, ran on a campaign platform promising "to abolish departments where there is a conflict of functions" (December 18, 1921). Within a year of taking office, the Park Commission and Park Bureau had been eliminated (like the establishment of the Commission, the process had to go through Albany), and created the Planning, Parks and Recreation Commission, consisting of the city's Corporation Counsel (Frank J. Cregg), Commissioner of Public Safety, City Engineer, and three additional appointees (including president of Muench-Kreuzer Candle Company, Alexis M. Muench). Not only were the parks no longer being developed under an independent group and plan, but Walrath openly discussed his adoption of "a policy of having his appointees in power on various commission in the city government as means of securing cooperation." (Syracuse Herald, April 17, 1922)


Meanwhile, the loss of power did little to affect the success of original members of the Park Commission, who expanded their fortunes during the 1920s housing boom in Syracuse. Emil M. Kotz went back to his furniture business on North Salina Street; his son Emil F. Kotz built houses in the brand new subdivision Bradford Hills (September 30, 1928). James Pennock also became a realtor in the East Genesee street area, selling lots on Allen Street before passing in 1929 at the age of 87. And Mayor Alan Fobes, who had sold his family mansion to Ada and Frederick Hazard in 1907, took a job as an insurance salesman and lived with his wife and children on Teall Ave until he died of pneumonia on January 5, 1944. A rather unceremonious news article about his death summed up his mayoral career in four sentences:

As mayor, Mr. Fobes had great popularity and his election to successive terms by large majorities was testimony to the people's confidence in him. He was successful in reducing the city debt and brought about several improvements and reform in city government. His administrations were noted as business administration. While mayor, Mr. Fobes developed Burnet Park to its present beauty. (Syracuse Herald Journal, January 5, 1944)

Though there are several other paragraphs in the article discussing his post-mayor titles and honors (including Vice-President of Syracuse Savings Bank, member of Onondaga Orphans Home Board, and director of Oakwood Cemetery Association), the absolute lack of detail regarding the "improvements and reform" in the city (as well as no mention of the development of the many other city parks that occurred during his administration) may be indicative of the new year that had dawned in Syracuse. Tales of 1900s-era mayoral accomplishments must have seemed positively quaint to a city that was on the cusp of declaring itself the center of the electronics industry:

Announcement that General Electric's big new electronic plant--Electronics Park, it will be called--is to be located just north of Syracuse, near Liverpool, is a major development from the standpoint of the postwar progress and prosperity of this community.

It seems safe to predict that Electronics Park will become the center of electronics research, invention and production in the United States. That undoubtedly means that it will become the world center in a new field whose potential possibilities are inconceivably vast. (Syracuse Herald Journal editorial, August 25, 1944)

To them, the Syracuse Fobes had shaped was a "rickety" relic becoming quickly outdated, with residents and businesses alike making a push towards the "modern":

Sergei N. Grimm, secretary to the [City Planning] Commission, pointed out..."it is an interesting matter for speculation as to whether these small businesses and machine shops which have crawled out of rickety downtown 'holes in the wall' to locate in more modern commercial establishments, vacated by folding automobile businesses and others, will ever be satisfied to go back to their old quarters after the war is over." (Syracuse Herald Journal, May 6, 1943)

Nowhere was this more true than James Street:

The rambling homes, surrounded by acres of lawn, are of another era. People today don't go in for big, ornate mansions; they can't afford to build or maintain them...Young couples today are seeking out the suburbs for homes; they don't want 'Dad's' big place. Cars today bring the suburbs closer to downtown than the horse and buggy did from upper James Street. (Post-Standard, September 21, 1952)

So perhaps it was only fitting that a decisive zoning battle for James Street eventually centered on 989 James Street, the former mansion of the Fobes family. And the city officials who would make this crucial decision were members of a modified Park Commission.

***

Throughout the '30s, zoning requests for James Street were routinely brought to the Planning, Parks and Recreation Commission, seeking changes from Residential to Business Status. A commission that had been formed a decade earlier by Mayor Walrath to consolidate park development power under his mayoral reign were now deciding whether a gas station should be allowed to open at the corner of James and Catherine Streets (Syracuse Herald, April 3, 1934), or a sanatorium and convalescent home at 1010 James Street (Syracuse Herald Journal, May 6, 1940). James Street residents came to these public Commission meetings in full force to oppose the rezoning requests, including Emil F. Kotz, who protested the construction of a gas station on James Street between Grant Boulevard and North Avenue (Syracuse Herald, July 2, 1936). The board turned down early requests, but businesses persisted in their fight, including Leo and Edward Eagan, who fought the decision against a James & Catherine Street gas station for four years through a series of court appeals (and eventually won). After a while-- given the determination of developers like Eagan--the board started to give some thought to Eagan's argument that "the growth of the city is making James Street more and more a natural business street," (Syracuse Herald, September 6, 1935). In 1938, the Planning, Parks and Recreation Commission underwent another structural reorganization and became the City Planning Commission, which became populated with members such as Alexis Muench (appointed to the original Planning, Parks and Recreation Commission in 1922), George W. Cregg (whose father was also an original member of the Planning, Parks and Recreation committee in 1922 as Corporation Counsel) and Paul Hueber (who designed several homes in Sedgwick Farms).

In April 1950, the Leavenworth Mansion at 607 James Street was the first grand James Street home to be sold (by Lucy Van Duyn, a surviving member of the Leavenworth family) to a developer (Jackson M. Potter) in order to be razed and turned into a "high class apartment house." (Post Standard, April 20, 1950). The idea of replacing mansions with apartment buildings had been discussed since 1941, when the city completed its own study of James Street:

Conclusions then were that the best thing would be for some developer to buy up many of the deteriorating homes and build garden-type apartments, with lawns and general appearance to equal the 'texture' of the street. Planners also thought that developments of small homes might be promoted...However, the home owners didn't go for it; people thought it "far-fetched" and they just wanted to be "left alone," Mr. [Sergei] Grimm [said]. (Post Standard, September 21, 1952)

When the actual zoning change request by Jackson M. Potter, Inc. came before the City Planning Commission in July 1950 (asking to change from Residential B to Residential C), "no opposition to the change was voiced at the hearing in the common council chambers that preceded the commission's vote." (Post Standard, July 12, 1950). Although the Post-Standard seemed to hope there might be some sense of seller's remorse on behalf of the Syracuse people

If the 2000 persons who roamed through the old Gen. Elias W. Leavenworth mansion at 607 James Street could have displayed the same interest a few months back as they did yesterday, then the remains of one of the last of Syracuse's historical landmarks yesterday might not have been picked over, inspected closely, fondled gingerly by those prideful of their city's past or disdained by a handful seeking just practical usage of the old items. (Post-Standard, May 16, 1950)

the city planning commission continued to rezone James Street block by block. And in August 1956, 989 James Street - the former Fobes family mansion- was sold by Myron Melvin to Malcolm Sutton for $100,000. Sutton bought the property for the purpose of building an "ultra-modern luxury type apartment house for the higher income group," with an expected construction cost of $2 million dollars. (Syracuse Herald Journal, August 2, 1956) Skyline Apartments had already been built under a similar premise four years earlier, but the Sutton apartments promised to be "one of only four like it built in this country...three [others] have been built, one in New York City, one in Chicago and one in Los Angeles." (Post-Standard, August 13, 1959) The Syracuse Board of Zoning Appeals, seizing the opportunity to be four-of-a-kind rather than one-of-a-kind, "granted [the developers] all that they asked as far as altering density, height and marquee requirements" for the apartment building (Post Standard, August 13, 1959) More specifically, the zoning board approved the following:

• apartment house with density of 810 sq. ft. for 2 bedroom apt and 510 sq. ft. for 1 bedroom apt (previous zoning had required 900 sq. ft. for 2 bedroom and 600 sq. ft. for 1 bedroom)
• height of building at 95 1/2 feet (previous zoning would have required an entire story to be eliminated, and apartment building financing only supported by a provision for 115 apartments). This made the building the highest point in Syracuse at the time.
  
• marquee to extend "30 feet in the front yard as a protection against elements for tenants and guests" (previous zoning allowed 15 feet)
  

The zoning for the construction of the apartment building itself had been approved eight months earlier, when the City Planning Commission established a new office district zone on James Street, "covering a six block area roughly between N. Townsend St. and DeWitt St. and Sedgwick St" on the basis of a study done by a "Planning Advisory Commission," headed by Syracuse University Landscape Architecture Professor Noreda A. Rotunno (Post-Standard, January 21, 1959). If you're wondering how a Landscape Architect could not only condone but endorse the wholesale destruction of historic landmarks, it is important to note that during the same time, Professor Rotunno was redesigning the SU campus to accommodate for post-WW II growth:

Old gave way to new without sentimentality; the Old Gymnasium, which had been moved in 1928 to a site between Steele Hall and Archbold Stadium to accommodate the construction of Hendricks Chapel, was subsequently demolished in 1965 to make way for a new Physics Building...The campus' physical expansion coincided with the heyday of urban renewal in the City of Syracuse...This process reached its apogee in 1966 with the unveiling of a University Hill General Neighborhood Renewal Plan, authored by Professor Rotunno. Conceived in the modernist spirit of contemporaneous New York State developments such as Albany's SUNY campus and that city's Empire State Plaza, the plan proposed an expanded series of quadrangles, set into a landscape radically remade to accommodate the automobile.

Imperial Gardens opened in November 1960, complete with a special 12 page supplement in the Post-Standard (Nov 13, 1960). Surely the area had some VIPs working in the neighborhood that would appreciate the "new building [which] substitutes 115 modern, high-rise apartments with the latest in conveniences and services for the century-old James Street mansion which, however
striking, represented on older way of living," considering that in 1963, WHEN (later WTVH) TV opened their new studio across the street, which happened to be the site of the former James Pennock mansion (the house had been converted into apartments in the '40s, and burned in a suspicious fire in 1960). Yet perhaps they wanted to stand up and tell 'em they were from Syracuse rather than "a four-room apartment...done in tones of avocado, melon and electric blue...blend[ing] modern with some Far Eastern features." (Post Standard, November 13, 1960)

***

[Imperial Gardens] will bring an approximate total of 275 or 300 residents closer to our downtown area and thus bring that many more shoppers to our downtown merchants...

Now, if other builders would erect similar apartment buildings in the southern, eastern and western parts of Syracuse as close to the downtown area as feasible, this would be a great boon to our fine stores on Salina, Warren and other adjacent streets... It would not only be good for the health of the people to walk downtown, but it would eliminate a lot of traffic, as the people would not have to bring their cars down.

Let's hope some far sighted builders will do just this in the near future.

-An Observer, Post-Standard letter-to-the-editor, March 6, 1961

As a car-free advocate in 2009, there is something appealing about an apartment building within walking distance of an active downtown. Yet in 1959, Syracusans had already demonstrated their affinity for the suburbs, or at the very least, houses. For $285/month (Imperial Gardens 2-bedroom rent in 1961), Imperial Gardens' ads promised "luxury that can be yours at less than owning your own home." (Post-Standard, July 17, 1961). Not only is that claim somewhat debatable (the real estate ads at the time seem to put houses within reach at that price), but people wanted to own their own home. Syracuse (and the country) had just gone through the largest period of housing growth in history. Certainly many people have lived at Imperial Gardens over the years, but when the Syracuse zoning board so readily approved the sale and razing of the Fobes Mansion, did they give any thought to the necessity of a 12 story "ultra-modern" apartment building? Or did it just sound really cool to them at the time?

I have read comments on syracuse.com about how Destiny would succeed if it had followed its original design plans, which would make it similar to the West Edmonton mall, whose features include:

• waterpark
• indoor lake
• ice rink
• miniature golf
• skate park
• petting zoo
• stores in an area designed to look like a European streetscape
  

As opposed to what they got stuck with, whose features include:

• Public pools in eight city parks
  
• The Finger Lakes, Lake Ontario, and (for what it's worth) Onondaga Lake
  
• The Clinton Square ice rink
• Burnet Park golf course
  
• Onondaga Lake Skate Park
  
• Burnet Park Zoo
• Downtown Syracuse
  

And that "really cool" mall that turned out to be one more ugly concrete addition to the city of Syracuse.

***

At least once a month, it seems, the Post-Standard features a letter to the editor about the post-WWII days of Syracuse, along with stated wishes--no matter how unrealistic--that we could bring about that Syracuse again. What is conveniently forgotten is that while downtown Syracuse was certainly vibrant in the '40s and '50s, it was also essentially on the road to ruin: ripping up trolley tracks, rezoning James Street, placing its entire future in those bustling department stores and related retail.

Meanwhile, historical lessons of turn-of-the-century Syracuse are reduced to architectural studies or charming photos of petticoats and pince-nez. The city of Syracuse website "mayors of Syracuse" section only lists leaders through 1870. While this appears to be because of a programming error, the fact that it exists for months? years? without correction shows not only the continuing lack of effort put into its website, but a stunning lack of concern for this mayoral history in the first place. And yet if we are to look at history for some guidance in reshaping Syracuse today, wouldn't it make the most sense to look towards the buildings and landmarks that have remained--for the most part--physically unchanged for over 100 years, and the leaders who made them possible in the first place? These early leaders concentrated on beautifying the basics: parks, roads, schools. The building blocks of a city.

July 8, 1910

After I sort through all of the ridiculousness that is Destiny USA, I find myself asking one simple question:

Did Syracuse really think that a Dave & Buster's was its ticket to economic fortune?

As someone who currently lives 15 minutes (walking distance) from a Dave & Buster's, I've never heard of anyone visiting my city solely because of the possibility of playing skeeball at a Chuck E. Cheese for grownups. The fact that Dave & Buster's chose to be here suggests they view this city as a viable market, but they certainly aren't the backbone of its economic or tourism prospects. Therefore, I always find myself a bit confused when I read some of the entries on Post-Standard Store Front Blog. I understand perhaps wanting a Cheesecake Factory or Cabela's in Syracuse for the sake of personal convenience, but in discussions regarding Carousel Center/Destiny USA, there still remains this sentiment that having Dave & Buster's or any other number of retailers would draw visitors to Syracuse from far and wide:

"Anyway, we've watched Pyramid grow over the years, borrowing things it created in its mall "lab" at Carousel and taking them to their projects downstate and in Western New York. Then doing cooler things at those locations.

"Let's start with Buffalo, and its Walden Galleria. They had a rather smooth transition with an addition. So what do they have that Carousel doesn't? This: Bachrach, Bar Louie, Bravo Cucina Italiana, Brighton Collectibles, The Cheesecake Factory, Christopher & Banks, CJ Banks, Giorgio Brutini, Hugo Boss, Hyde Park Steakhouse, Jos. A. Banks, Tim Hortons and Urban Outfitters, to name a few.

"How about Palisades Center? Granted, it is the 10th largest mall in the U.S. parked in West Nyack, minutes from Manhattan. Still, Carousel was the prototype for Palisades. Why not share the wealth? That includes Armani Exchange, Barnes & Noble, BJ's Wholesale Club, The Home Depot, Brooks Brothers, Buffalo Wild Wings, Chili's Bar & Grill, Dave & Buster's, Desert Moon Cafe, Jessica McClintock, LEGO, Lucky Strike Lanes, Outback Steakhouse, Palisades Ice Rink, Q'doba Mexican Grill, Thomas Kinkade Galleries, United Colors of Benetton, White House / Black Market.

"I haven't done the math, but all of those combined and some others I didn't include would nicely fill the expansion, don't you think? Pyramid already has these folks on board. Why aren't there any leases for the expansion here and if there are, why not shout those names from the expansion's rooftop?''

Sure, these stores could fill the expansion, but then what? The most unique feature of Syracuse is that it has a central location for all the chain retailers that you can find in thousands of other cities, not to mention online? The fact that both Outback Steakhouse AND Chili's chose to locate at Destiny meant Syracuse had finally arrived? What I still can't get my head around: if the expansion had been fully leased, and even brought in shoppers "as far away as Canada and Pennsylvania," would it all be okay? Would a giant mall be the centerpiece of Syracuse postcards, and is this the picture of Syracuse that would be sent out to all corners of the world? Syracuse as a destination solely because of "destination shopping"?



"Parks form the most permanent investment a city can make. Other things wear out, parks remain indefinitely." - George Kessler, in an interview with the Post-Standard, July 8, 1910


Long before the Syracuse Chamber of Commerce invited visitors to its website to Explore the Exciting Wonders of...China




they were far more interested in exploring the exciting wonders of...Syracuse:

The Committee on Home Ownership of the Chamber of Commerce last night took up the question of a system of boulevards and parks and recommended that the Board of Directors secure legislation necessary for the naming of a Boulevard and Park Commission to provide what the city needs in that line.

Members of the committees expressed it as their belief that the city had arrived at a point in its career when a general plan of boulevard and park improvements should be mapped out. In the matter of natural advantage, namely, the lake to the north and the hills to the south with a stream connecting, Syracuse is far ahead of most cities of the country. (Post Standard, October 13, 1905)

A movement for park development had started in large cities some fifty years earlier, with an emphasis on securing open spaces for city dwellers to take a break from the chaos of urban life. Reflective of the transcendentalism ideas taking hold in New England at the time, parks—and the nature they provided—were viewed as necessary for human development:

Now, if urban scenes and influences can make that which is best of the human body, mind and heart, then the whole problem might be solved by widening our streets into convenient promenades. But experience has proved in the past, and it is probable that it will remain true in the future, that purely urban conditions cannot produce that which is best in mankind: that only through country freedom and country influences can the best in man be developed. Therefore, parks are absolutely essential to city life, if those who are born and bred in the city are to be kept free from degenerating. (from the wonderfully-titled article Trend of the Park Movement: The Superintendent of Parks of Hartford, Conn Has Led in the Movement to Humanize Public Parks in America—He Is a Rebel Against the Old-Fashioned Ideas Which Would Run a Park With as Little Life in it as there Is in Plush- Covered Parlor Furniture or in the Potted Plants of An Undertaker's Shop, by George A. Parker, reprinted in Syracuse Herald Magazine, February 24,1907)

Syracuse appeared less concerned with spiritual or moral issues when it came to their own park development, and more driven by the need to play catch-up:

SYRACUSE MUST FALL IN LINE

As we have repeatedly said, the strongest practical argument for an enlightened and systematic policy of civic improvement in Syracuse is found in the fact that the most prosperous and progressive cities in the country have already adopted it, and that in every instance it has been justified by results...

One of the cities that have made large expenditure for park purposes is Philadelphia. Yet it is far from being content with what has already been accomplished, and it is now discussing the advisability of a heavy loan for park extension. In giving its editorial approval to the project, the Public Ledger of that city says:

"There is nothing upon which Philadelphians can congratulate themselves more heartily than upon the foresight that preserved Fairmount Park and the Wissahickon valley and such other green spots and open spaces...Appreciation of the great value of parks and pleasure grounds came to us but slowly. Ever since our gradual awakening we have allowed many opportunities to pass, and each year these opportunities grow fewer." (Syracuse Herald editorial, Sept. 24, 1906)

Syracuse had apparently made its own attempt to pursue park development in the past, but perhaps because it was the (18)80s, they suffered from Wacky Wall Walker Syndrome:

"To prove that the present system is wrong, take Burnet Park. Work there was started nearly twenty years ago and the park is not half completed. Instead of completing the park the city started on Onondaga Park and expended about $10,000 on it. Onondaga Park work was given up and about $7,000 was then spent on Round Top Park. Only a little has been accomplished in this park. Before the work on Round Top Park began about $6,000 was put into Lincoln Park. This work was also abandoned. Not one of the larger parks has been finished. We should have at least one park that we could take pride in." (David Campbell, superintendent of parks, quoted in Syracuse Herald, Jan 15 1906)

The Chamber of Commerce, as well as other city officials, including Mayor Fobes, felt that the best way to pursue park development would be the establishment of a Park Commission. As David Campbell, superintendent of parks, explained:

"The great advantage of a park commission is that in case of a change in administration of the city affairs the commission will continue in service and carry out the plans as formulated. Even with the amount of money appropriated here now parks improvements would be apparent if we worked in a practical and systematic way. And more could be accomplished. As it is now money is scattered all over the city and the people cannot see any direct benefit. And they can see little improvement. A park commission will take up one park and finish it instead at dabbing all over the city to suit certain localities or individuals." (Syracuse Herald, Jan 15 1906)

As independent of the mayor, the commission would have final say in all decisions regarding "the parks, squares and trees. It can employ expert advisers to study Syracuse and its environment and map out plans for the development of parks, squares, parkways and playgrounds." (Syracuse Herald, May 7, 1906) The commissioners were to serve terms of one to five years, and receive no compensation.

After formally approved by the state legislature, assembly, governor and finally Syracuse common council, Mayor Fobes appointed five individuals to the Syracuse Parks Commission on July 27, 1906. The commission, led by James Pennock, met that day for an "informal talk" and in a scene that I can only dreamily re-enact in my head, promised to bring good design to Syracuse:

"Mr. Pennock, speaking for the work of the commission, said that one of its first duties would be to interest itself in the bridge to be built on North Salina Street and see if the state could not be persuaded to make the bridge an ornament to that section of the city and at least to prevent such an ugly structure as that over the Oswego canal on James Street. Bridges can now be built so that they will be ornamental as well as useful, and it is hoped that the new bridge will be made an illustration of this fact." (Syracuse Herald, July 27, 1906)

Of course, opinion will only get you so far, and the park commissioner felt their first priority was to hire a world-class landscape architect to plan a park and boulevard system:

It is the opinion of the commission that the right way to go about its work is to place itself under expert guidance and determine what Syracuse should strive to accomplish in the next ten years in the matter of park and boulevard building...it intends to bring to the city a landscape architect of experience and acknowledged ability to determine this question (Syracuse Herald, August 3, 1906)

Uh-oh, this sounds familiar: pay for studies from outsiders that lead to, evidently, a boarded up concrete prison as the first visible Syracuse landmark to any visitors from train, bus or Thruway Exit 36. Yet a century ago, there was a transparency to the process from the start. Pennock anticipated opposition regarding this move, and addressed these concerns from the outset:

"The first thing we must do is to engage a man who has made systematic municipal improvement his profession, who has acquired wide experience in this line and who has demonstrated by results that he can do what we want. The members of the Park Board are businessmen, who know that a thing of this kind should be done by a man who makes it his profession, and they have after deliberation decided to engage such a man. Nothing further will be done until we have procured a satisfactory expert." (Syracuse Herald, Aug 6, 1906)

While the directness of Pennock is admirable, so too is the cynicism of Alderman Walter Hinkley:

"From what I learn through the press," said Alderman Hinkley, "I understand that this expert is to receive $3500 for the first year just for thinking the matter over, and the following two years he is to produce plans. Perhaps to those who understand such things this may seem good business, but I can't see it that way. I would require something more substantial than thoughts for that $3500, because the thinker might stop thinking for a long time...it's the old story: A prophet has no honor in his own country. An outsider who is unknown except what we hear from him from afar can get anything he wants and we ask no questions." (Post Standard, September 18, 1906)

These days, these two speeches go hand in hand. It is understandable that Syracusans can't believe in before and "after" pics of 81:



when they are faced with this "after" and after:




Yet early 20th century Syracuse was a city where architects like Archimedes Russell were setting the design standard. James Pennock himself was considered a pioneer in the real estate development of the East Genesee Street section of the city. Syracuse pride didn't mean cheerleading any new project that came along:

But there's more to this story than a mall. Carousel Center is the centerpiece of a development that will have a profound impact on the kind of city Syracuse will be well into the 21st century...

...To be sure, Congel stands to make a great deal of money from this project, but what's wrong with making money? That's how things have been getting done in this country since it's been a country.

And there will be money for a lot of people to share — Carousel Center and Franklin Square will bring it here. (Syracuse Herald-American editorial, October 14, 1990)

but rather, putting its best face forward to the world, and knowing that this responsibility rested solely with Syracuse itself:

The decision of the Park Commission to recommend that George E. Kessler of Kansas City be engaged to map out a system of parks and boulevards for Syracuse means that this important part of the work will be done...by a landscape architect who stands as high in his profession as any man in the country. Mr. Kessler has given evidence of his ability in many cities, and as landscape architect of the World's Fair at St. Louis his work attracted widespread attention...

It will be understood, of course, that all Mr. Kessler can do here is suggest. He can study the city and its environment, the tendency of its growth and its resources, and out of his experience tell us what we should aim to do. He can give encouragement, no doubt, by pointing out the material benefits which other cities have reaped from courageous and energetic work of this character. But when he has done all that he can do and said all that there is to be said it will remain for Syracuse to decide for itself whether it will continue to drift, improving itself in haphazard fashion as the whim or fancy strikes some municipal administration, or whether it will grasp the situation boldly, masterfully, and determine to have a hand in the shaping of its destiny. (Syracuse Herald editorial, Aug 14, 1906)

George Kessler made his first official visit to Syracuse on January 8, 1907. Although his contract was to last three years (and three years salary), the city ran low on funds after the first year. Rather than demand payment, Kessler "willingly agreed to release the city, stating that he had an abundance of work in many cities of the country which had caught the park and playground spirit. He said he would enter the employ of the city any time there was actual need of his services." (Syracuse Herald, April 4, 1909) (He was engaged by the city once again in 1909 for additional consultation.) However, in this brief time, Kessler made a monumental impact on Syracuse, providing the city with plans for the Frazier Playground, Onondaga, Lincoln and Schiller Parks, and suggestions for Burnet Park. He was instrumental in negotiating the purchase of Kirk Park, and spurred the Park Commission to pursue the acquisition of Thornden Park. The New York State Fair Commission sought his insight about redesigning the Fairgrounds; he visited Syracuse University to see if the campus could be worked into his park and boulevard system. Not only did he inspire Syracuse to act, but long after he received his final payment, he continued on as an unofficial public relations official for the city, as the city now became part of his portfolio. Syracuse hosted a city official from Dallas, Texas, who was "attracted to Syracuse parks by reason of the fact that George E. Kessler [was] soon to be engaged in a similar advisory capacity in Dallas." (Post Standard, July 1, 1910). Kessler gave an interview to the Kansas City Star, praising the natural landscape of Syracuse:

"Syracuse is already a beautiful city, resting in a pocket surrounded by hills," said Mr. Kessler. "It has something we can never have, of course, a pretty lake on the north, which can be seen from the higher levels. Tree planting began many years ago. Now magnificent elms line the streets and make canopies with their branches. In this respect Syracuse has at its maturity what Kansas City hopes to have several years from now." (reprinted in Syracuse Herald Magazine, February 24, 1907)

On one of his later visits to Syracuse to view the city's progress, he once again emphasized the point, this time stating that Syracuse had the potential to become a great travel destination:

"Syracuse should capitalize its natural advantages and attract thousands of visitors as a result of adequate expenditures for park improvements," said George E Kessler."Denver has given the cities of the country a great object lesson in the winning of material benefits by the beautification of the city and development of its park system. By this policy it attracts thousands of visitors and these visitors make extended stays there...Syracuse has fine natural advantages and a splendid location...it should be made a stopping point rather than a mere passing point for travelers. There is much which is attractive about Syracuse at present. With a finely developed park system I believe the city would win wide fame and draw hosts of visitors. The money expended in this manner would not be for the visitor alone. Syracuse's own people would enjoy the benefits all the time." (Post-Standard, July 8, 1910)

In the early 1900s, Kessler looked at Syracuse as a blank slate, focusing on nothing but its natural landscape. One hundred years later, everything that Kessler saw is still there. Sure, that "pretty lake to the north" is polluted thanks to the actions taken back then (even Kessler himself suggested "the refuse of the Solvay Process Company could be used...in filling in the sections [of shoreline] which would be desirable for park lands, after which a covering of two or three feet of earth would be placed over the refuse"- Post Standard, April 8, 1907), but one ugly mall has done nothing to affect the appearance of the parks that Kessler envisioned. This is not to say that the landscape hasn't changed, however:

What surprises the English writer H.G. Wells, who has been traveling about America and writing up his observations and reflections in Harper's Weekly, is the way the American city calculates so confidently upon the certainty of growth. "All cities," he urged..."do not grow. Cities have sunken."
...His doubts fell on stony ground. All America knows is that every favorably located city must make preparations for increasing population....The day isn't far off when the progressiveness of a growing American city will be estimated by the intelligence it shows in laying out the area of its future...
Before Mr. Pennock's term as commissioner expires it will doubtless be seen that the work of our newly created Park Commission has a wider meaning than the beautification of the city as it is, namely, the laying of the plans for the Greater Syracuse of 1950. (Post Standard editorial, July 21, 1906)

What the Post Standard editorial writers, or Mr. Pennock himself, could not have imagined was that as Syracuse grew exponentially in the 1950s, the city center itself would sink. The park system which they felt held the key to the city's future would not only fall victim to this phenomenon, but also to Syracuse abandoning the promise of recreation for re-creation.

COMING SOON: PART 3 (of 3, I think)
August 2, 1956
Movin' on up to the (Far) East Side!