SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Local residents see this property on 7th North street as an eye sore. With the increase in a clean and stable community, the ratty condition of the front of the house is turning non-residents off to the neighborhood, each time it is spotted. City councilman Patrick Hogan who has taken care of the Syracuse community for decades is trying to clean it up.
“This particular house, [the owner] has got contact with three different contractors,” Hogan said. “He is waiting for his insurance company to see how much he can spend and then he’ll take the lowest bid, I’d imagine and prepare the house.”
A car hit the front porch about a year ago causing the structure to lean and appear as if it is falling over. Many of the local residents think this house is a distraction to drivers and walkers in the area. Countless individuals have reached out to the city asking for a removal of the house and the city has been active on that front.
“The city pressures this gentleman to get it done,” Hogan said. “It will get code violations if he doesn’t.”
But the issue that creates these types of accidents is speeding. In 2020, speeding was a factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities according to the National Safety Council. But in this area of Syracuse, the residents want cars to slow down and be more cautious.
“It’s been a huge problem throughout the years on 7th North street,” Hogan said. “In fact, speeding is a huge problem throughout the city.”
Ghanga Kharka, a Syracuse University graduate, has lived on this corner for over five years. To her, the speeding issue is more prevalent now than ever before and she is worried it may get worse if the city does not do more.
“We don’t feel as safe right now because we know the speeding has not really reduced or anything,” Kharka said. “And just because we have not seen any accidents doesn’t mean they won’t happen. Accidents happen all the time. Personally, I feel like if there were stop signs or some sort of traffic lights it would help a lot.”
The city has yet to listen to opinions of residents in the area, but Kharka, and her neighbors are confident things will change.
