Land Value Tax Shifts in Syracuse:
Toward a Prosperous Future

Syracuse, New York, is at a critical juncture, facing rapid house price increases and significant vacant land amidst monumental public and private investments. A new report from the Center for Land Economics models a revenue-neutral 4:1 split-rate land value tax (LVT) shift for the city, revealing a powerful mechanism to foster equitable growth. This policy would rebalance the tax burden, significantly reducing taxes on residential properties, especially benefiting lower-income households and historically marginalized communities, while increasing taxes on vacant and underutilized land. By incentivizing productive development and discouraging speculation, the LVT shift promises to stimulate housing supply, enhance municipal revenue stability, and help Syracuse transition toward a more prosperous and equitable future.