University Neighborhood, Syracuse, New York

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The University Neighborhood in relation to other nearby neighborhoods, with approximate boundaries. (Not to scale)

The University Neighborhood is one of Syracuse, New York's 26 officially recognized neighborhoods. It borders the neighborhoods of Westcott to the north, University Hill to the west, Outer Comstock to the southwest, Skytop (Syracuse University's South Campus) to the south, and Meadowbrook to the east.

The University Neighborhood is mostly residential, with only a few convenience stores located throughout. The neighborhood is very close to retail and dining, however, with Westcott Street being lined with small independent shops and restaurants immediately to the north, and the Nottingham Plaza across East Colvin Street at its southeastern corner. This plaza has a P&C grocery store, Eckerd drug store, liquor store, barber shop, as well as a UPS Store behind it. Additionally, Marshall Street, the main retail area of adjacent University Hill is within a short walk of the northwestern corner of the neighborhood. The neighborhood is also home to the city's only cooperative grocery store, the Syracuse Real Food Co-op, owned by 2200+ member/owners.

1 History
2 Conflicts
3 Crime
4 References
5 External links

[edit] History

Like its surrounding neighborhoods, the University Neighborhood grew as a result of the growth of Syracuse University, which was founded in 1870. Electric streetcars ran along Euclid Avenue, its northern border. As the university continued to grow, particularly after World War II, students took over many of the houses that were previously built along Euclid Avenue and its side streets. When the university went through a short period of enrollment decline in the early 1990s, it enacted a sophomore residency requirement, which required second-year students to live in university housing. Previously only freshmen were required to do so. This caused some houses to be acquired by families again.

[edit] Conflicts

Students during a block party on Livingston Avenue on the night of May 1, 1999. The party was supposed to end at 10 p.m., but rowdy students challenged police until 3 a.m. The event became known as the Livingstock Riots.

Today mixture of families and students creates a great deal of diversity, but also causes much conflict due to noise and littering complaints. Probably the most extreme example occurred on May 1, 1999 when students hosted a block party on Livingston Avenue. When police later arrived to end the party, riot-like conditions ensued, causing the event to named the Livingstock Riots. Police ended up having to use riot gear to break up the rioting, which included burning piles of furniture and debris. The party was supposed to end at 10 p.m. but events unfolded until about 3 a.m. Since this event no more block party permits have been issued for this area of the neighborhood.

Still, many student-arrests still occur, especially when the temperatures are warm in the beginning and at the end of the school year. For example, over Labor Day Weekend in 2003, 42 arrests were made, many for open container laws. Generally, Syracuse police will only issue warnings for open container violations, but over the past years they have been following a zero-tolerance policy in this neighborhood. Some residents believe conditions have improved. In 2005, Syracuse University launched a locally toll-free neighborhood concern line for residents, "442-CARE."

[edit] Crime

Crime in the University Neighborhood generally involves burglaries from non-residents, and fights between students. Occasionally mugging occurs, especially late at night to students walking alone.