Community: Get Involved
I-81 Mailing List
I-81 Challenge newsletters will be distributed by e-mail and regular mail at key points in the I-81 process. The newsletter will not only provide updates on progress, but publicize opportunities to get involved. Besides checking the What’s New section of this website, the newsletter will be the best way to receive periodic updates on The I-81 Challenge.
In addition, if you sign up for our e-mail mailing list, you will receive notification of all in-person public involvement opportunities as they are planned. These e-mail notices will be more frequent.
Workshops, Meetings, and In-Person Forums
In September and October of 2009, the SMTC and the NYSDOT held a series of 20 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. A summary of focus group findings is available under Documents.
If you would like a printed copy of the focus group report, please contact the SMTC at 422-5716 or contactus@thei81challenge.org. A printed copy is also available at the Central Branch of the Onondaga County Public Library (5th Floor).
One suggestion that we heard from numerous stakeholders at the focus group meetings was to hold more small-group meetings throughout the community before convening any large public workshops. Based on this suggestion, we are currently reaching out to additional community groups to provide background information on The I-81 Challenge, share the information we have learned to date, and continue to gather community input about the process. If you would like us to speak with your group about The I-81 Challenge, please send us an email at contactus@theI81challenge.org.
Comments
You can send us a comment at any point during The I-81 Challenge at contactus@theI81challenge.org.
Questionnaires
Over the course of the I-81 Challenge, there will be periodic questionnaires designed to gather input on key topics related to I-81. You can access the questionnaires under Questionnaires.