OT: Syracuse fans discussing New Brunswick

[RUSK97]

Guys, I'm no fan of Syracuse the University, but what has happened to Syracuse the City is an absolute travesty. It was a proud city that was part of the industrial engine that made America the power that it is today. It's so easy to turn a blind eye to the rust belt and say that its time has sailed by, but this fate is not limited to Detroit. I haven't been to Syracuse in 5-6 years, but I found a city full of hard-working, genuine people. More often than not, the obnoxious SU a-holes are New Jerseyans with an axe to grind, not the locals. But yes, the weather in winter sucks.

 

[derleider]

Guys, I'm no fan of Syracuse the University, but what has happened to Syracuse the City is an absolute travesty. It was a proud city that was part of the industrial engine that made America the power that it is today. It's so easy to turn a blind eye to the rust belt and say that its time has sailed by, but this fate is not limited to Detroit. I haven't been to Syracuse in 5-6 years, but I found a city full of hard-working, genuine people. More often than not, the obnoxious SU a-holes are New Jerseyans with an axe to grind, not the locals. But yes, the weather in winter sucks.

Which is why the rust belts time has sailed. The Rust Belt existed because of the geographical confluence of iron, coal, waterways, and access to ports and markets. Those are no longer limiting. The real question is - how in the world do you rightsize whole cities, especially when white flight hollowed out the cities themselves long ago.

 

[derleider]

You're forgetting about Bucchleuch Park.

Im not. Its a long walkto that park from much of NB and aside from the waterfront park, there arent really smaller parks within the city to make up the difference.

 

[Upstream]

What are you looking for from the parks in NB? The two largest parks are Buccleuch Park and Boyd Park (waterfront park). But there are multiple other parks and playgrounds throughout the city. The other parks with athletic fields are Alice Jennings Archibald Park (baseball, softball, soccer, football, tennis, basketball, and handball), Memorial Stadium (which in addition to the stadium has public practice football/soccer field, baseball field, softball field, tennis courts), Youth Sports Complex (baseball, softball, and soccer), Alex Baker Park (baseball, softball, tennis, and basketball), Joyce Kilmer Park (baseball and basketball), Recreation Park (baseball, basketball, skate park), and Murphy Park (baseball, basketball, tennis).

 

[TheRut14]

That shopping mall near Cuse is huge

 

[RUSK97]

Which is why the rust belts time has sailed. The Rust Belt existed because of the geographical confluence of iron, coal, waterways, and access to ports and markets. Those are no longer limiting. The real question is - how in the world do you rightsize whole cities, especially when white flight hollowed out the cities themselves long ago.

As a one-time inhabitant of Cleveland, I saw that attempt at transformation first hand. The expansion of the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals into massive economic powerhouses have eaten up 10+ city blocks each in the middle of the city. The next step (when I moved from there) was to foster a healthy environment for biotech in the core of the city. I haven't heard much so I have to assume it failed. I realize not every rust belt city has a world class institution like the Cleveland Clinic, but from what I understand, SUNY Upstate in Syracuse is a very decent, solid second-tier institution, much like RWJ. Aside from healthcare, I think these cities still have people with good hands and good skills. So much has been made of the fact that Americans don't know how to make anything anymore, but I can't believe that's true. Small-scale manufacturing can take root in these environments, particularly if the cost can be kept low and the appropriate tax breaks be given. I think we've seen that in places like Brooklyn and Portland, OR.