SU Chancellor Syverud releases statement on Carrier Dome rumors

With rumors of a new arena rapidly spreading, Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud released a statement addressing the topic on Tuesday night.

Syverud made several comments to syracuse.com discussing the possibility of a new arena that would be built off campus on Monday and addressed his comments in the statement.

“As I indicated in media interviews yesterday, Syracuse University has indeed been exploring multiple options for dealing with the need for renovation or replacement of the Carrier Dome, which is a key asset to the University and the community,” he said in the statement.

Syverud said in the syracuse.com article that cost ranges are in the low millions on up for a renovation of the Carrier Dome and hundreds of millions for a new arena.

On Tuesday, syracuse.com reported that Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney had convinced Gov. Andrew Cuomo to provide $200 million in state funding toward a new arena with the final project requiring $500 million. A later report said Mahoney abandoned her request after Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner refused to endorse the project.

Syverud addressed the relationship between the university, county and the state in the statement: “Syracuse University, the City of Syracuse and the County have a good history or working well together, which I am hopeful will continue,” he said. “Working well together requires each of us to be honest about our interests after full communication of the details about how projects will affect the University, the City and the County. I am committed to continuing to work together to meet the challenge presented in this analysis. Whatever conclusion we reach, our collective objective will be to find a solution that is best for the University and the community.”

The project has received backlash from the community as Miner recently sent a list of needs to Gov. Cuomo requesting $16.4 million for various city needs and claimed the city needs had reached a “crisis level” in reports by syracuse.com.

The Carrier Dome opened in 1980 and is the largest domed stadium on a college campus in the country. It currently seats over 49,000 people.

Syverud is the 12th chancellor of SU. On his first day, he greeted students at the Schine Student Center, Office of Multicultural Affairs and Slutzker Center for International Services.