On Monday March 16th, the Syracuse Common Council voted unanimously NOT to declare 133 South Ave. a historic house, overturning the recommendations of the city’s Preservation Board and its Planning Commission. At two prior hearings, neither board would allow SUN to discuss the conditions of the house that plagues the neighborhood: physical deterioration of the house, trash, drug dealing etc. In fact, the Preservation Board threatened to have SUN’s director arrested.
As you may recall, SUN staged a protest at the law office of the absentee landlord of the property, Mr. James Medcraf. The owner, has kept the property vacant for 17 years and ignored a State Supreme Court order to demolish the property since 2006. SUN’s protest prompted the city to pressure Mr. Medcraf to apply for a demolition permit. The two city boards put a hold on the demolition, citing the historic nature of the house. But Mr. Medcraf can no longer hide behind the city’s arcane historic property regulations. Pony up Mr. Medcraf. 133 South is comin’ down. Stay Tuned!
