| Early Childhood Education 2013 OCL Study Topic |
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| The importance of early childhood experiences to school readiness and long-term educational performance levels is generally accepted and expansion of publicly-supported pre-K has been proposed recently at both the federal and state levels. Locally there are many iniatives focusing on early childhool education and literacy improvement. The purpose of the study is to help survey the current early childhood education landscape in Onondaga County, assess the concerns and challenges, and consider how we could more effectively deploy our existing resources in a way geared toward the goal that all children enter school ready to learn. For more information, or to join the Study Committee, email ocl@syr.edu or call 315.443.4846. | |
| The World at Our Doorstep 2012 OCL Study Topic |
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| Community Image: Valuing Our Public Spaces 2010-2011 OCL Study Topic  People form their first impression of a community at its gateways, on major routes through town, and approaches to its downtowns and major centers of activity. What are our public spaces saying about our community? What message does the look of our community convey to residents, investors, visitors, business owners, potential employees and students, or motorists that are just traveling through? How do we quantify the benefits of community image and redirect our energies and resources into making (physical) Syracuse and Onondaga County a place of pride? |
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| * Correction: Expansion of water infrastructure. (Page 9 of What Does It mean to be Green Study Report.) Figures in this paragraph refer to the entire service area of OCWA (Onondaga County Water Authority), which extends beyond Onondaga County. In Onondaga County, from 2001 through 2008 OCWA installed 126.19 miles of new water mains, all in established water districts, and leased an additional 18.05 miles of water mains built on behalf of newly formed districts. In conjunction with the new mains, OCWA installed 1,075 new hydrants, two new pump stations, and three new storage facilities, including one built at OCWA’s water treatment plant. |
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| Rethinking I-81 – 2008-09 Study Report | |
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| What will replace the elevated portions of Interstate 81, which is nearing the end of its useful life? While transportation planners and engineers study the traffic, structural, and technical issues, the OCL study focused its attention on the social, cultural, and economic effects of possible alternatives. |
OCL's 2012 study, The World at Our Doorstep, is underway. The purpose of the study is to develop a clearer picture and understanding of the refugee experience in Onondaga County and examine best practices around the country in order to recommend procedures and policies to make us a more welcoming community.