The City of Syracuse prepared its first and only comprehensive plan in 1919. Over the years, the City has relied on master plans prepared for specific areas of the City to provide direction for change. In 2001, it became obvious that the City needed to take a broad look at all of the issues affecting the community and to devise a plan to respond to the rapidly changing global and regional economy. A comprehensive view of the City was necessary; it was time to evaluate the City’s assets and trends and prepare a collective vision for the future of the City’s economy, community facilities, and services. As a basis for this vision, the City wanted a plan that identified current needs and values of residents, businesses, and institutions as well as an evaluation of its heritage and cultural background.