The city of Syracuse will be on display as tens of thousands of basketball fans flood to the Carrier Dome for the NCAA East Regional Basketball games this weekend. The city is working on putting its best foot forward.
Syracuse Department of Public Works Commissioner Pete O’Connor admits the end of March isn’t the best time to show off Syracuse.
“Because we are between seasons. A cold winter, a lot of dirty snow out there, a lot of potholes, and unfortunately when the snow does melt, it uncovers all the dirt that’s been accumulating all winter” he said.
So to deal with that, the city has started its usual spring cleaning a few weeks early.
O’Connor says the DPW crews that are usually handling snow and ice right now, will focus on patching potholes and picking up litter. He says another downtown crew which usually doesn’t start working until later on in the season is already in action.
“They’re, you know, picking up the trash as normal -- emptying all the trash cans, in the downtown area as well as the Crouse-Marshall, University area.”
O’Connor says crews are also focusing on litter pick up where it can be safely done, on interstate exits and entrances, and focusing mostly on shuttle bus routes headed to the Carrier Dome. These crews will also be painting over graffiti and signs knocked down by snow plows.
O’Connor says there won’t be any extra cost to the city for this, because regular full-time DPW staff will do the work during their regular hours.
