The Connective Corridor bus route goes beyond getting from Syracuse University’s South Campus to main campus. This route, accessible by walking, riding a bicycle or taking a bus, heads downtown, to the west side and stops at nearly every hotspot in the city. But the Connective Corridor organization is aiming to do more than transport — it wants to show off Syracuse.

This academic year, the organization launched an updated map and website and installed an LED board in The Warehouse and an interactive information kiosk in Schine Student Center.

Linda Dickerson Hartsock, director of the Connective Corridor, led these changes.

“I think it’s about the visibility as well as the accessibility,” Hartsock said, highlighting the Corridor’s goal to engage students with the community.

The buses themselves have also been updated with “mobile art galleries.” Where advertisements normally hang above passengers’ heads, paintings and works of art are on display.

Hartsock used focus groups comprised of SU students to help direct the modifications. She asked the focus groups what would make downtown Syracuse more interesting and attractive to visit, and they told her they would like a better understanding of what the city center has to offer, Hartsock said.

Using student feedback, businesses then partnered with Connective Corridor for promotional events such as food truck rodeos and downtown food crawls. They’ve worked with more than 70 business owners to do façade improvements, such as adding outdoor seating. They’re now working on an updated mobile application to help students navigate the corridor, and Hartsock is currently asking students to be part of that planning team.

After these changes were implemented, a group of students from the Martin J. Whitman School of Management approached Hartsock with a potential startup venture to reach out to Connective Corridor businesses and discuss a student discount program.

“To make this really work, we want to engage students,” Hartsock said. “I love fresh ideas — bring them to us.”

Spot 30: The Everson Museum of Art 

The Everson Museum of Art houses about 11,000 pieces, offers classes, films and multiple exhibits students can explore. Community and public relations manager Renee Storiale said shows go up two or three times a year, and all exhibits will be changing in February. The museum also hosts social events suitable for students. Beer Gardens, held in the spring, allows guests to socialize while enjoying local beers. Storiale said the Connective Corridor has made it easier for her volunteers to get there.

“It’s a huge help, especially if they don’t have a car,” Storiale said.

Admission is $5. For hours and other information, visit www.everson.org.

Spot 62: Light Work Lab 

One walkable options on the route is Light Work Lab, located on the edge of the SU campus. As part of the Coalition of Museums and Art Centers, Light Work was a “natural connection” to the corridor, said Light Work director Shane Lavalette. A public access photography lab, Light Work allows students and members of the community to use dark rooms, digital labs and assorted equipment for free.

“Whether someone is a professional photographer or new to photography, there are a lot of different ways they can utilize the space,” Lavalette said.

For hours and other information, visit www.lightwork.org.

Spot 9: Salt Makerspace 

SALT Makerspace is “a lot like a gym, but with fancy tools rather than exercise equipment,” said director Michael Giannattasio. The facility offers laser cutting, 3-D prototyping, 3-D printing and more for anyone who has a membership, which can be purchased daily, monthly or yearly. The Connective Corridor allows students to use these machines more easily during the university’s closed hours and gives them access to a creative community. SALT Makerspace also focuses on partnerships and entrepreneurship. Giannattasio also said the space is designed as a resource to find material, make connections and learn how to start a business.

For membership fees, hours and other information, visit www.saltmaker.org.

Spot 17: The Museum of Science and Technology (MoST) 

The Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology has the only domed IMAX theater in upstate New York state, the Bristol IMAX Omnitheater. It’s one of the reasons Maria Welych, a MoST employee, said the museum is an interesting stop on the Connective Corridor.

“Our theater is better than the stuff you get at the mall because it’s so much bigger,” she said. “You don’t have to have it in 3-D to feel like you are part of the movie.”

There’s more to the museum than the IMAX movies. There are exhibits, simulator rides, live demonstrations and internship opportunities. The museum is also available to hire for events.

“I know that a lot of adults have a very good time in the playhouse when there’s no kids there,” Welych said.

Published on January 28, 2016 at 1:15 am

Contact: mcbuck01@syr.edu