Long-abandoned Syracuse Developmental Center Might House Drone Manufacturing Center, State Says

Posted On
December 15, 2021

Image
Fotokite

Syracuse, N.Y. — A high-tech manufacturing facility may become the first tenant in the long-dormant and dilapidated Syracuse Developmental Center, the governor’s office said today.

Under a plan submitted to the state, Fotokite, a drone company housed in The Tech Garden, would get $5 million in state funds if it spends $21 million to develop a drone manufacturing facility and add 200 jobs in Syracuse.

The building opened in the 1970s as a state-operated home for people with developmental disabilities. It has been abandoned since it closed in 1998.

The city seized the property in 2019 over back taxes owed by the previous owner. The site includes a more than 600,000-square-foot building at 800 S. Wilbur Ave. surrounded by 47 acres of land.

Read the full story on syracuse.com, here.

Other
Media Coverage

Image
ribbon cutting at INSPYRE
Media Coverage | 09/19/2025

INSPYRE Innovation Hub Opens in Downtown Syracuse

CenterState CEO with its public and private sector partners celebrated the opening of CenterState's INSPYRE Innovation Hub in downtown Syracuse.

Image
Constellation NY Nuclear
Media Coverage | 09/04/2025

Carbon Free NY Shares New Report on Impact of Nuclear Power in New York

Carbon Free NY shares a report that explores the impact of nuclear power and the ZEC program.

Image
UAS drone operator
Media Coverage | 09/03/2025

GENIUS NY Finalist Shares CNY UAS Ecosystem Insights on Syracuse.com

Modovolo CEO Justin Call shares Central New York's strengths in the uncrewed aerial systems sector in Syracuse.com opinion article.

Image
Ben Sio and Greg Lancette on Newsmakers
Media Coverage | 08/29/2025

CenterState CEO Shares Insights on Community Preparation for Micron on Newsmakers

Ben Sio and Greg Lancette appeared on Newsmakers with Andrew Donovan.

Image
Gov. Hochul Shovel Ready Podium
Media Coverage | 08/19/2025

Oswego County IDA Awarded $8.1 Million FAST NY Grant to Advance Industrial Park Infrastructure

Empire State Development awarded $8.1 million through the FAST NY Shovel Ready Grant Program to the Oswego County Industrial Development Agency.

Image
GNY Stage 2024
Media Coverage | 08/13/2025

GENIUS NY Names Five Finalists for Cohort Nine

GENIUS NY, operated by CenterState CEO, unveiled its five selected finalists for the ninth cohort of the accelerator for uncrewed systems.

Image
Micron New York Rendering
Media Coverage | 08/04/2025

Advance Media NY Editorial Board Shares Necessary Steps To Advance Micron Project

The Advance Media NY Editorial Board sat down with CenterState CEO's Ben Sio and Dr. Juhanna Rogers, Empire State Development's Kevin Younis and Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon to discuss the necessary next steps for Micron.

Image
SCSD pathways group photo
Media Coverage | 08/01/2025

Syracuse Build's Pathways to Apprenticeship Graduates First Student Cohort

Sixteen students took part in the summer youth Pathways to Apprenticeship program, supported by CenterState CEO.

Image
modovolo drone
Media Coverage | 08/01/2025

GENIUS NY Semifinalist Featured in Syracuse.com "Conversation on Leadership" Series

The CEO of Modovolo, a GENIUS NY Cohort 9 semifinalist, Justin Call was featured in the latest "Conversations on Leadership" series from Syracuse.com.