Get Involved

Over the course of The I-81 Challenge, there will be many opportunities for the public to get involved. The process has been planned to be as inclusive as possible – to include outreach to residents across the county, from rural communities to urban ones, and include people of varying interests, opinions, and demographics.

The in-person opportunities will include workshops, surveys, open houses, and events which haven't even been designed yet. If you are unable to participate in one of these activities, you can always send us an email comment at contactus@theI81challenge.org or call at 315-422-5716 or write us at any time. You can also join our mailing list to receive email updates on public involvement opportunities as they arise. Also be sure to look for announcements on the What’s New page for the latest information on how to stay involved with The I-81 Challenge.

Visit the Resources section of this website to view a graphic explaining The I-81 Challenge process. There you will also find two White Papers. White Paper #1 outlines the goals and objectives of The I-81 Challenge public participation effort. White Paper #2 describes and synthesizes findings from The I-81 Challenge Public Participation Program from its inception through the Fall of 2011.

Public workshops

The SMTC and the NYSDOT held the first round of public workshops for The I-81 Challenge during the first week of May. The summary report for this first round of public workshops is available here.

These workshops featured interactive stations where participants could explore the history of I-81 and the state of the highway today, share their vision for the future, and be part of the process for determining how we decide what options make sense for our region. You can still participate in all of these activities through the virtual workshop.

Participate in the Virtual Workshop

If you missed the first round of public workshops, you can still participate online 24/7 through the Virtual Workshop. The Virtual Workshop is designed to replicate the in-person workshops. Click here to participate.    

Questionnaire

Thanks to everyone who took time to complete the Spring 2011 Questionnaire for The I-81 Challenge. We heard from nearly 1,000 people! To find out what we learned, take a moment to read the Questionnaire Summary. Stay tuned more information about our next questionnaire.

Visit The I-81 Challenge Blog

The SMTC has launched a Blog for The I-81 Challenge as another way to reach out to and inform the community about the latest project updates. The Blog features project information, multimedia content, related news stories, and event announcements, among other things.

Visit The I-81 Challenge Facebook page

The I-81 Challenge is on Facebook!

Become a fan of The I-81 Challenge on Facebook today.

Other efforts underway: Community Liaison and Municipal Liaison Committees

Early this year, the SMTC and NYSDOT formed two new committees to strengthen communication channels throughout the Syracuse region. The Community Liaison Committee (CLC) is made up of various representatives from local community organizations whose missions cover a wide range of issues including the environment, social justice, local neighborhoods, education, civic engagement, urban design, business and economic development, and housing. See the Resources box for a complete list of CLC members. The Municipal Liaison Committee (MLC) consists of representatives of municipalities within the SMTC planning area. While not decision-making bodies, both the CLC and MLC will play a critical role in The I-81 Challenge by:

-       Disseminating information about The I-81 Challenge to their constituents

-       Providing input on community concerns

-       Ensuring diverse points of view are represented

-       Commenting on materials and methods for public involvement

Past efforts

Between the fall of 2009 and the spring of 2010, the SMTC and NYSDOT held a series of 23 focus group meetings with a wide range of community stakeholders. This first round of focus groups was not meant to be all-encompassing, but included a sample of representatives from existing agencies and organizations from throughout the City of Syracuse and Onondaga County. The focus groups were designed as a starting point for a regional dialogue that will continue over the next several years. The initial set of focus group meetings yielded valuable information about the ways that community members use I-81, think about potential impacts, and want to be involved moving forward.

One suggestion that we heard was to hold more small group meetings throughout the community before convening any large public workshops. Based on this suggestion, we reached out to additional community groups such as the Sierra Club, Corcoran High School and the Cicero Chamber of Commerce, to provide background information on The I-81 Challenge, share the information we learned to date, and gather community input about the process.

See the Resources box for a summary of the focus group findings. If you would like a printed copy of the focus group report, please contact the SMTC at 315-422-5716 or e-mail contactus@theI81challenge.org. A printed copy is also available at the Central Branch of the Onondaga County Public Library (5th Floor).