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The Carrier Dome was the subject of much speculation one year ago, as local and state leaders discussed the possibility of building a new stadium in Syracuse that would host city events and SU Athletics teams. But recently, there has not been any progress or talks of a stadium, according to city and university administrators. luke rafferty staff photographer
THE QUIET GAME A year after discussions surrounding a new Syracuse stadium, city and SU officials say talks have stalled By Justin Mattingly asst. news editor
T
his time last year, it appeared as if the Carrier Dome would be made obsolete by a sleek, modern stadium to be built downtown that would serve both the city and Syracuse University athletics.
Now, city and university leaders say, talks of a stadium have virtually died out. There were talks last January that the city of Syracuse, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, County Executive Joanie Mahoney and Syracuse University were working together to build a stadium downtown that would play
host to some SU Athletics, including men’s basketball. After the proposal hit a stalemate, talks have died down and the future of the Carrier Dome remains unclear. Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner formed a task force to look into the logistics of how a new stadium would operate, and SU Chancellor Kent Syverud formed
a workgroup to explore the future of the Dome’s roof and the Dome itself. But, with the Dome is in its 35th year of operation, the building’s future is still in question. Syracuse Common Councilors and SU Athletics personnel, as well as with those with direct knowledge of the situation, said there have not been any talks about a new stadium to their knowledge. “I think there was an opportunity last year that the governor and the county executive presented and because the mayor said ‘No, I’m not interested,’ it went no further,” said Syracuse Common Councilor Kathleen Joy. “Some of it’s politics,” said Common Councilor Bob Dougherty
about talks dying down. “There was a pretty good stalemate among the governor, the mayor and the county executive and the university for that matter, and I think that some people saw that as some sort of a dead end.” The new stadium, which reports said would hold around 44,000 people and cost nearly $500 million, was to be built in Kennedy Square, which is about a five minute drive from campus. Plans for the arena died after Mahoney could not persuade Miner to endorse the project. The Dome, which opened in 1980, holds 49,262 people and cost $26.85 million to build, which is about $77 million in 2014 dollars. Operating see carrier
dome page 8
Clinton to speak at Newhouse ceremony in honor of reporter By Brigid Kennedy staff writer
Hillary Clinton, the former United States Secretary of State, will be the keynote speaker at the Toner Prize award celebration in Washington D.C. on March 23. The Toner Prize for Excellence in Political Reporting, sponsored by
Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, was created in 2009 to honor the life of late Newhouse alumna Robin Toner. Clinton knew Toner from her time as a political reporter and was the first choice of speaker for Toner’s husband. After graduating from Syracuse University with a dual degree from Newhouse and the Maxwell School of
Citizenship and Public Affairs, Toner went on to hold positions at the Charleston Daily Mail, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and eventually, The New York Times. While at The Times, Toner became the first female chief political correspondent, serving for almost 25 years and covering five presidential campaigns. Toner died of complications from cancer in 2008
at the age of 54. The Toner Prize, which includes a $5,000 cash reward, is awarded annually by Newhouse to political reporters who exemplify and reflect the rich quality and high standard of journalism characteristic of Toner’s work, according to its official website. Past recipients of the prize include Karen Tumulty of The
Washington Post, Molly Ball of The Atlantic and Craig Harris of The Arizona Republic. When it came time to decide who would be speaking at this year’s ceremonies, Peter Gosselin, Toner’s husband, said he knew he wanted to ask Clinton to fill the role. “Robin and I met as competitors see clinton page 6