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Syracuse’s Westcott-University neighborhood is set to become New York state’s second-largest formally recognized historic district, after the New York State Board of Historic Preservation voted unanimously on its designation last week.

This decision marks a major milestone in a preservation effort launched by local advocates in 2017. It adds 2,000 of the neighborhood’s properties to the National Register of Historic Places, with its boundaries lying just east of Syracuse University’s main campus.

As members of a historic district, property owners in the neighborhood can now access historic renovation tax credits. Unlike other protected sites or districts, the National Register listing doesn’t mandate a review of exterior modifications by the Syracuse Landmark Preservation Board.

To qualify for historic designation, properties must meet specific criteria, including hosting a significant event, being associated with a notable individual, showcasing unique architectural styles or holding important archaeological value.

Erin Van Zandt, the manager of Boom Babies boutique on Westcott Street, said the historic designation was exciting for both her community and business, which first opened in 1986.

“I feel like it’s a lot of local people that come to this area, and if it’s something that people know about when people will come. With the new restaurants and everything too, I think it’s gonna be more lively than it’s been,” Van Zandt said.

The Westcott-University Neighborhood traces its origins back to the 1840s, with most of its development occurring between 1870 and 1930. During that period, developers designed the area to appeal to middle-class homebuyers, offering small, closely spaced lots to keep homes affordable.

The designation recognizes the many architectural styles of the neighborhood, including Italianate, Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, Craftsman Cottage and Bungalows.

“It’s not a neighborhood that you go to and all the houses look the same,” Natalie Wilson, a long-time Westcott resident, said.

Wilson also said the designation is important because of the neighborhood’s unique array of public events, including the Westcott Art Trail, which showcases local artists and their work while fundraising for the Westcott Community Center, and Westcott Thursdays, a free concert series held weekly in September.

Emily Steinberger | Daily Orange File Photo

The Westcott-University Neighborhood traces its origins back to the 1840s, with most of its development occurring between 1870 and 1930. The historic district encompasses over 2,600 structures, including more than 700 garages and outbuildings spread across 2,000 properties.

Rick McLain, a history professor at Onondaga Community College, said he hopes the designation will encourage more people to visit Wescott and reflect on the various architectural styles displayed by the homes.

“It’s a great idea for Westcott to be designated a historic district. It already has a wonderful Bohemian cultural vibe and a rich cultural festival heritage, but it would be wonderful to see some of the homes and buildings receive further funding to restore the historic nature of the area,” McLain said.

The city of Syracuse’s preservation planning office partnered with the Preservation Association of Central New York, a nonprofit dedicated to the conservation of historic neighborhoods, to develop the nomination. This effort involved researching and documenting the histories of hundreds of properties.

Thomas Ascioti, owner of Westcott’s Yeti Frozen Yogurt & Cafe, said the neighborhood is diverse not only in its architecture, but also its people. He said Westcott Street attracts a blend of locals and students with its unique array of restaurants.

Locals enjoy visiting the neighborhood’s restaurants for their favorite dishes from each spot, Ascioti said. He said his customers often have a meal from the Spanish restaurant Las Felicias down the street before coming to his cafe for dessert.

As local advocates and community members welcome the nomination, the board’s approval advances to the United States Department of the Interior for final processing, a step that typically takes around six weeks and is considered a formality. Although mainly honorific, Van Zandt said the new title is still meaningful to the neighborhood’s residents.

“The people that live on and off Westcott are very proud of Westcott Street, and they love living here. I think they’ll appreciate it, and I think it’ll just be very positive for the local community,” Van Zandt said.

Published on December 10, 2024 at 11:31 pm

Contact Madeline: mmgoodhe@syr.edu