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Apply for Planning Assistance! Applications Open until January 30th, 2026.

Empire State Trail Economic Opportunities Plan – Phase II

Notice Of Opportunity – Planning Assistance

Municipalities are invited to apply for planning assistance to support the development or enhancement of local connections to the Empire State Trail. The Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council (SMTC) has begun a new effort, the Onondaga County Empire State Trail Local Economic Opportunities Plan, Phase II. This plan seeks to engage municipalities and encourage them to take the next steps towards implementing projects outlined in the first phase of the Plan, available on our website. This Plan aims to help communities improve connectivity, expand recreational and economic opportunities, and promote safe and accessible trail networks. Explore additional information below.

As a part of the 2025-2026 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), the Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council (SMTC) has agreed to complete the Empire State Trail Economic Opportunities Plan: Phase II study for the Onondaga County Department of Planning.

In 2022, the SMTC published the Onondaga County Empire State Trail Local Economic Opportunities Plan (LEOP). This effort, completed in partnership with Onondaga County and the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board, was a first step in encouraging and enabling trailside communities to capitalize on the economic potential of the new Empire State Trail. The LEOP contained tools for local leaders such as conceptual renderings, maps, and design guidance for potential trail connection points and complementary projects.

Phase II of this plan seeks to engage municipalities and encourage them to take next steps towards implementation outlined in the LEOP. SMTC staff will assist the Onondaga County Department of Planning by working with municipal partners on a one-to-one basis – facilitating discussions with road owners, providing visualizations of roadway improvement options, and calculating preliminary cost estimates.

This plan will provide a further in-depth analysis for a limited subset of road corridors initially outlined in the LEOP. SMTC staff will seek partnership with municipalities who are eager to move towards implementation.

For any comments or questions related to this study, please contact Andrew Frasier, Senior Transportation Analyst at afrasier@smtcmpo.org.

Municipalities outlined for trail connections in the Onondaga County Empire State Trail Local Economic Opportunities Plan, or any municipality interested in connecting their town or village center to the Empire State Trail. 

Selected municipalities will receive professional planning support from SMTC staff, which may include: 

  • Trail route assessment and mapping 
  • Planning-level design concepts and feasibility 
  • Visualizations of potential improvements 
  • Preliminary cost estimates 
  • Recommendations for potential funding sources or phased implementation. 

Please note that the SMTC does not provide capital funding as part of this planning process. This professional planning support from SMTC staff will be provided at no cost to the municipality.

It is anticipated that once municipalities are selected for assistance and notified, the ensuing planning study will take approximately one year to complete.

Interested municipalities should submit a brief application outlining: 

  1. Contact information for the municipal project lead
  2. The desired trail corridor location and brief project description
  3. Community goals for the project
  4. Previous planning efforts involving the corridor or the municipality (e.g., a comprehensive plan)

Completed Applications may be submitted either through the portal on our website, or by downloading this form and attaching via email or by mail to:

Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council
126 North Salina Street, Suite 100
Syracuse, NY 13202. 

Applications must be submitted by Friday, January 30th at 5:00 PM.

For more details or assistance with the application process, please contact: 

Andrew Frasier, Senior Transportation Analyst
afrasier@smtcmpo.org
315-422-5716, x1307