Syracuse Sun

Published on June 23, 2024

The Department of Neighborhood and Business Development, in collaboration with community partners, will host a block party on Thursday, June 27 from 3 to 7 p.m. at White Branch Library. Residents and community agencies will adopt the block to commit to the long-term care of the neighborhood.

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced that the Proud Places Project will host a Community Block Party in the Butternut Street Corridor to celebrate coordinated efforts to improve the neighborhood. The program aims to strengthen investment in city neighborhoods through citizen engagement, beautification, and community stewardship. It has been engaging Butternut neighbors since Fall 2023 through planning meetings, community clean-ups, and events.

“The Proud Places Project demonstrates the City’s commitment to investing in our neighborhoods and creating sustainable solutions to difficult challenges in our community,” said Mayor Walsh. “By working directly with neighbors and community agencies throughout a year-long campaign, we are able to respond to identified needs while building stronger, more engaged communities.”

The Proud Places Butternut Community Block Party will take place on Thursday, June 27 from 3 to 7 p.m. at White Branch Library. The event will feature a fresh food giveaway, a summer reading kick-off, and access to needed human resources. Over 20 agencies will share important information about health and safety, housing, financial empowerment, and more.

The City’s Department of Neighborhood and Business Development team works in "tipping-point" neighborhoods—areas at risk of further decline—to increase neighbor participation in making streetscape and property improvements that demonstrate community pride in place. To date, Butternut neighbors have participated in 12 planning meetings, two cleanups, and a community block party.

This is a family-friendly event with music, free food, and youth activities. South Alvord Street from Ash to Butternut Streets will be closed off for the event. Free parking is available in the Franklin School Elementary parking lot via the Park Street entrance.

Community partners who helped plan this event include Onondaga County, Early Childhood Alliance, North Side Learning Center, Northeast Hawley Development Association, and Vineyard Church.

In the next phase of Proud Places in the Butternut Street Corridor, residents and community agencies will establish the area as an Adopt-a-Block location. The City of Syracuse Adopt-a-Block program makes city beautification a yearlong effort where individuals, organizations, schools, and businesses volunteer for monthly cleanups of designated areas.

For more information about the project or to get involved, visit syr.gov/proudplaces.