Syracuse, N.Y. — More than 100 tenants and housing advocates gathered near Syracuse’s Inner Harbor Saturday to protest Onondaga County’s plan to build an $85 million aquarium.
The protesters said the money would be better spent supporting Syracuse tenants, who face rent increases, lead poisoning and some of the highest rates of child poverty in the country.
In August, county legislators voted 9-8 to use budget surpluses from the last two years and higher-than-expected federal aid and tax revenue to construct a 600,000-gallon aquarium.
County Executive Ryan McMahon argued the aquarium would be a boon to the local tourism, saying a feasibility study predicts it would draw in $50 million annually in economic activity.
County officials hope to begin construction of the aquarium near the Inner Harbor next year and open the facility in 2024.
Related: Onondaga County lawmakers approve $85 million aquarium
Protesters on Saturday said they wished the county would instead tackle the city’s housing issues head-on.
Darlene Medley lives in a North Side apartment with her twins. For months she said she has been battling with her landlord in New York City over lead exposure in the building.
“We do not need an aquarium,” Medley said. “Our children are suffering. Our homes are suffering. The schools are suffering.”
Medley, who is part of Syracuse’s Families for Lead Freedom Now, said she would rather see public money go to good quality housing and stronger measures to ensure landlords fix problems in their properties.
Kira Moodliar, of Syracuse Tenants Organizing for Power, said the county needs to move more money to directly help its residents.
“The county budget should reflect the needs of the county,” she said. “We know folks are having trouble meeting skyrocketing deposits, struggling to report codes violations and being heard.”
“It’s sad to see that it’s easier to house fish than it is to house people in Syracuse,” Moodliar said.
Staff writer Fernando Alba covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, question or comment? Reach him at 315-690-6950, at falba@syracuse.com, or on Twitter at @byfernandoalba.
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