Property taxes

City plans to take over Hotel Syracuse on hold for now

Ellen Abbott — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:41:58 +0000

For the second time in less than two years, back taxes have been paid on the Hotel Syracuse, effectively scuttling plans for the city of Syracuse to take control of the property, and sell it to a developer. So, city officials are now looking at a "Plan B."

Rochester Land Bank to try to get more properties on the tax rolls

Kate O'Connell — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 21:03:29 +0000

The City of Rochester has been given state approval to establish one of the state’s ten Land Banks. The city’s Land Bank will support the acquisition of vacant, tax-delinquent properties which will then be renovated and sold through the HOME Rochester program. The aim is to also get more properties back on the tax rolls.

State law proposed to withhold state payments to some tax delinquent landlords

Durrie Lawrence — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 12:27:58 +0000

Proposed state legislation would allow social services officials to withhold rent payments for low-income housing when the landlords haven’t paid their taxes.

Funding structure for Syracuse's land bank slightly clearer

Ryan Delaney — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 11:07:00 +0000

It began sending out foreclosure notices for the first time last month, but a long-term funding source for Syracuse and Onondaga County's newly formed land bank is just starting to come into focus; though some details remain to be worked out.

Council wants to kick-start land bank operations

Ryan Delaney — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 17:12:00 +0000

The Syracuse Common Council has proposed loaning the newly formed city-county land bank money so it can begin operating in earnest, but questions remain on the availability of those funds.

Some budget cuts approved for Oswego Fire Department

Catherine Loper — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:26:52 +0000

The Oswego City Council voted unanimously Monday night to approve Mayor Thomas Gillen’s proposed budget. That will mean a property tax rate hike of about 11 percent.

Crouse Hospital agrees to pay service fee to Syracuse

Ryan Delaney — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 14:19:48 +0000

Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner has notched another win in her efforts to get the city's major nonprofits to begin chipping in for the city services they use.

Funding uncertain as new "land banks" move forward

Ryan Delaney — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 20:11:16 +0000

Newly formed "land banks" in upstate New York are moving forward, despite uncertainties on just how they'll work - or be funded. The quasi-public entity in Syracuse recently presented a plan to the city to begin foreclosing on its approximately 3,900 vacant and tax delinquent properties, but there are still unanswered questions.

Syracuse shaking as much out of Destiny USA megamall as it can

Ryan Delaney — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 19:44:00 +0000

Syracuse's threat of legal action against the Destiny USA mega-mall has prompted a matching threat from the mall's developer.

The dispute involves whether the developer owes the city a $2.2 million dollar payment because of delays in the of the construction of the mall.

In 2002, Destiny USA struck a deal with the Syracuse Industrial Development Agency (SIDA). The arrangement allows the mall developer to make 30 years worth of payments-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT).

Miner hosts meeting to discuss upstate cities' financial woes

Ryan Delaney — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:54:00 +0000

Some of upstate New York's mayors are putting their brains together to deal with looming fiscal nightmares.

Syracuse OK's 30-year tax break for university bookstore

Ryan Delaney — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 12:06:38 +0000

Those for it say it has little resemblance to Destiny USA other than the length of the tax break. But those in opposition disagree strongly.

Months of debate about Syracuse's development strategy and negotiations culminated Monday with the city granting just its second-ever 30-year property tax exemption.

The recipient is a developer who will build a mixed-use off-campus bookstore and fitness center for Syracuse University. The property in question is a long sliver of land currently owned by the nonprofit university, so it's not taxable.

Syracuse poised to award second 30-year tax break

Ryan Delaney — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 13:26:00 +0000

Syracuse appears ready to give out its second 30-year tax exemption after months of debate. The decision comes at a time when many in the city are skeptical of public backing for development.

The Common Council has called a special session for later today to vote on the property tax exemption for a developer planning to build a Syracuse University bookstore and fitness center in the University Hill neighborhood.

The vote was supposed to happen back in March, but it was pulled at the last minute because it faced certain defeat. In the months since, councilors have negotiated with the developer and university.

On Friday, councilors confirmed the deal will finally proceed because it has gained the needed five votes.

Homeowners speak up on assessment grievance day

Ellen Abbott — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:35:00 +0000

Think your property taxes are too high?

Today's the day you can try to get those taxes down, by way of lowering what the town thinks your home is worth.

Syracuse "land bank" faces tall order: 3,300 tax-delinquent properties

Ryan Delaney — Fri, 18 May 2012 23:44:00 +0000

The city of Syracuse has a new tool it hopes will reduce the number of vacant and tax-delinquent properties.

This week the state gave the OK for Syracuse and Onondaga County to create one of the first five "land banks" in New York State.

The new agency has plenty to work on.

There are 3,300 delinquent plots in the city of Syracuse alone.

Syracuse's nonprofit problem: Not enough land on the tax rolls

Ryan Delaney — Tue, 01 May 2012 11:18:00 +0000

Four major hospitals; three large colleges; dozens of churches, charities and government buildings.

They drive Syracuse's economic and cultural activity. But leave the city's bank account hurting for revenue.

In all, Syracuse nonprofits and other tax-exempt properties make up 56 percent of the city. That's land City Hall can't collect taxes on.

Add to that properties with temporary tax breaks given to encourage development.

Add to that more than 3,000 smaller plots throughout the city that are vacant or delinquent on their taxes.

"This is characteristic of the type of problem the city has in collecting property taxes," says Common Councilor Khalid Bey, chair of the council's economic development committee.