This year's summit started with a documentary viewing and a public forum at Syracuse University's Hendricks Chapel. Organizers really wanted to target the student population this year since it is us they would like to see be more involved in the community. I went with the freshmen leadership program "OrangeSeeds" (I'm a member of the E-Board). We figured this would be a good way for our freshmen "seeds" to learn about the city they will call home for the next 4 years (or longer).
The documentary was artistic and interesting, but completely lacked focus and was detrimental to its purpose in opening and giving direction to the day's activities. The forum was better - we heard from several young professionals about their involvement in the community and the challenges they have witnessed here, along with their thoughts on making things better. They also shared several bright spots about living here.
The best part though was going downtown for experiential learning. There were different stops you could get off at all afternoon that had different featured activities. There was cultural stuff along E. Genesee St, Loft tours at the old Hotel Syracuse, and a scavenger hunt around the city. OrangeSeeds started with the scavenger hunt. It felt like "The Amazing Race" on CBS...we had clues and had to find how many turtles were in the Columbus Circle fountain (8), what was in the arms of a boy in a statue in Forman Park (toy horse-drawn fire truck), among others. It was a really fun way to explore the city, even for those of us who go downtown a lot!
Jess (my scavenger hunt partner) and I broke away though after the first of three legs, too tempted at the thought of lunch at the Blue Tusk in Armory Square. After that, we met up with some of the seeds and fellow E-Board members to look at the new lofts going into the Hotel Syracuse annex. The old hotel closed in 2004 and is being converted into "Symphony Place at Hotel Syracuse Square". The new lofts are beautiful and represent the progress that is being made to attract and retain young professionals here. The views are spectacular (see the pictures below). Overall, it the Summit was a good way to explore and connect with the city, and we all had a fun day doing it!
Living room in the 1st condo we looked at
Living room in the 1st condo we looked at
View of S. Salina St from the window of the 1st condo
Nice living room in the 2nd condo we looked at
Table setting in the 3rd condo we saw
View of the MONY towers and the Hotel Syracuse from the 3rd condo
