Syracuse Mayor Sharon Owens announced on Friday that Dre’chir Whitfield, a former Las Vegas wedding planner, has been appointed as the city’s first Nightlife Coordinator, a role created to foster safe, vibrant after‑dark districts, especially downtown. According to CNY Central, Whitfield will serve as a liaison for business owners, nightlife operators, and community partners, with an annual salary package ranging from $67,750 to $72,000. The position, first mentioned in Owens’ State of the City address on Jan. 29, aims to build on the foundation laid by former Mayor Ben Walsh and to introduce new ideas for nighttime activities that cater to a diverse audience.
In a separate cultural development, the Syracuse Central Library’s Makerspace received a quilting machine donated by the Friends of Central Library, expanding its suite of creative tools that already includes sewing machines and 3D printers. CNY Central reported that the library also launched a community macramé project on its third floor, inviting visitors to weave fabric into a shared artwork. Library representatives estimate that between 100 and 200 participants could eventually contribute, offering residents a new avenue for artistic expression and community connection.
Further afield, Toggenburg Mountain in Fabius—about an hour’s drive from Syracuse—has been purchased by the Wheeler family of Countryside Excavation, restoring ownership to a family that originally held the land before 1953. The Wheelers, announced CNY Central, plan to modernize the ski area and add new attractions, though significant work remains. Chair lifts, pumps, piping, the restaurant, and bar are all currently non‑operational, and the family hopes to reopen the restaurant first. A March 2025 court ruling in favor of New York Attorney General Letitia James confirmed that the previous owner, Intermountain, had violated the Donnelly Act by creating a monopoly. The judge’s decision required a purchaser who would reopen the resort, and the Wheeler acquisition satisfies that mandate. The Wheelers project an operational ski season for 2027‑2028.
These initiatives collectively signal a push to enrich Syracuse’s cultural, recreational, and economic landscape. Residents can look forward to a more coordinated nightlife scene, expanded creative programming at the Central Library, and, in the near future, renewed ski options at Toggenburg Mountain.
What’s next: Whitfield will begin her duties immediately, working with downtown businesses and public safety officials. The library’s macramé project remains open-ended, with participation expected to grow over the coming months. The Wheeler family has indicated a busy and complex next month of planning and will provide updates as the ski resort’s reopening timeline solidifies.
Sources: cnycentral.com, cnycentral.com, cnycentral.com
