Joint Council extends Veo contracts for violence intervention

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The Syracuse City Council approved the renewal of the city’s contract with VeoRide Inc. during its Monday afternoon meeting. to extend the bike and scooter sharing service through September 2027.

The agreement is part of the Syracuse Sync program, a bike-sharing program that provides scooters and e-bikes to locals at no cost to the city. The program restarted in 2021 with Veo after ending in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of the agreement, Veo will handle system planning, equipment maintenance, customer service, registration and data collection.

Council members also voted to extend the city contracts with the Good Life Youth Foundation, the Salvation Army and the Northside Learning Center as part of Mayor Ben Walsh’s Syracuse Safer Streets Community Violence Intervention program through March 31, 2025.

The Safer Streets program aims to provide mentorship, therapy, internships and job training to people identified as high risk. The program aims to identify, interrupt and resolve conflicts between local gangs and prevent violence, according to legislation.

The council voted on the program’s agreement with Project Helping Everyone Accept Love after the group announced their decision not to renew their contract on September 23.

Project HEAL is a nonprofit organization that provides free therapy and mentorship services to people affected by the criminal justice system, according to its website. Despite the group’s decision to end the Syracuse Safer Streets contract, all five therapists previously said they wanted to continue working with program participants.

During Monday’s meeting, the council approved multiple infrastructure projects, including initiatives to improve city prides, local playgrounds and public parks.

The city has authorized the Department of Public Works to continue with the city-owned Sidewalks, Curbs and Corners program, which aims to replace worn-out street corners for better accessibility. Locations for improvement will be chosen based on public complaints, community programs and additional projects, in accordance with the council meeting agenda.

The program ensures that the city meets federal guidelines under the Americans with Disability Act regarding accessibility in public spaces. The council has allocated $500,000 for the projects.

The Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation & Youth Programs will receive $400,000 to install a new rubber safety surface at the Skiddy Park playground in Westside Syracuse following a council vote Monday. The fund will also use the money to improve the safety of playground equipment.

The council approved up to $100,000 to improve conditions at Thornden Park’s picnic area, highlighting the need for new tables and replacing the existing shelter with an improved structure. The department will also use up to $1,000,000 to rehabilitate the Hanover Square Fountain, according to the council’s new legislation.

Other things

• The council again postponed a vote on whether to determine the protected status of 727 Comstock Ave., the former Syracuse University fraternity house that was previously planned to be demolished as part of a proposal to build a dormitory. The site is no longer included in the university’s construction plans.
• The council approved up to $320,000 for the Spirit of Jubilee Stage Project, which includes up to $160,000 to make the design more accessible and keep up with the rising costs of construction materials. The project will build a new, multi-functional event stage by autumn 2025.

The post Joint Council extends Veo, contracts for violence intervention appeared first on The Daily Orange.