SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- There was music, food, and drinks as the first ever "Downtown Get-Down" was held Thursday in Armory Square. It was the brainchild of Modern Malt and Sky Armory.
Organizers hope more people soak it in downtown in the coming weeks.
"I think people who are certainly transplants from Syracuse that move on to bigger cities and come back are always searching for something to do," said Chris Bily, of Modern Malt. "Whether it be a weekday, on a Thursday night like the 'Downtown Get-Down,' or a Wednesday, a Monday, a Tuesday, a Saturday."
The alleyway between the two businesses once looked much different. That's why organizers feel it's important to show it off.
"There were no windows, there were holes in the wall, it kind of looked condemned over on the side of the building, there were no pavers, this was just dirt all the way down," explained Jason Jessmore, of Sky Armory.
An enclosed passageway will eventually be open to the public so that people can easily walk from Salina to Clinton Street, further introducing people to the newly developed area.
"I think that it's going to bridge the gap that has been missing for so long," said Jamie Owens, of The Society Gurl. "You know, the Armory has been here a long time with wonderful restaurants and bars and Salina Street is slowly growing in a wonderful way."
As soon as the vacant storefronts next to the passageway are filled with tenants, that bridge will be gapped - another improvement for downtown to look forward to.