Near Westside, Syracuse

In the early 1900s, many wealthy families, including the Mayor of Syracuse, lived in large homes along West Onondaga Street.

The main hub of industry started at South Geddes Street, not far from where George Fowler High School and City Hardware of Calley's United Appliance stand today.

Today, the Near Westside is home to Syracuse's growing Latino community, with high numbers of Puerto Rican and Cuban families.

Several organizations based in this neighborhood provide services for the Latino community, such as the Spanish Action League and Syracuse Area Latinos United against Disparities (SALUD) Inc. A number of economic and residential development projects have also taken place in the neighborhood's SALT District, led by the Near Westside Initiative, a not-for-profit organization that leverages the resources of Syracuse University.

The West Onondaga Street Alliance (WOSA), with the support of Eric Mower & Associates and Cowley Advertising, have taken the initiative to reinvent and improve the neighborhood.