3 days ago
Latavius Murray announces new timeline for Jon Diaz Community Center opening, addresses multi-year delay
NEDROW, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — Former NFL running back and Central New Yorker Latavius Murray announced on Monday plans for when his community center will finally be built. This comes after years of waiting, along with fundraisers being held for the project.
In 2022, he set his sights on building the Jon Diaz Community Center in Nedrow, with the groundbreaking scheduled for 2023. Halfway through 2025, only the floor plan has been completed.
'We're about 99% done with the floor plan, which is a huge step, something a long time coming,' Murray said at a community meeting Monday night.
Latavius Murray announces new timeline for Jon Diaz Community Center opening, addresses multi-year delay
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The center has raised $9 million, with $500,000 coming from State Senator Rachel May after Murray told her about the project.
'We got excited about it, too and I was able to get some funding. Sometimes, I get capital funding that I can allocate around,' May said. 'I was able to get some funding for it. $500,000 for it.'
Murray said the reason for the delay was having to wait for grant funds and more donors.
'When you have to apply for grants and get donors, it's a process. It's not easy, but it's something we signed up for and we're gaining momentum now,' he said. 'We're excited about where we are heading.'
Now he says the plan is to have the groundbreaking in 2026 and the center open in 2027.
'While we have some goals in mind and things we want to accomplish with timelines, sometimes things change. What's important is keeping the main thing, the main thing, keep progressing, keep focus,' Murray said. 'We've been able to do that and that's why I feel confident in where we're going.'
Murray partnered with the Integrated Community Alternatives Network to open an office space in Syracuse. The space will provide social and emotional services to families and children. The space is located at 1010 James Street.
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