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SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Ground has been broken on the fourth and final project making up Phase One of Syracuse's school renovation program. H.W. Smith Elementary will be closed for the next year, with students attending classes at the old Levy School while the building is overhauled. Other buildings targeted in this $146 million phase include Weeks Elementary, the Institute of Technology, and Fowler High School.

City officials are still optimistic that the renovation work will go on, beyond this first phase.

“I believe the funds will be there. The discussions are going on now, relative to which schools we'll be looking at for Phase Two. There's discussion within the district as to which buildings we'll be looking at. There's also discussion with our state legislators to move forward to this Phase Two,” said Nader Maroun, Syracuse Common Councilor.

A joint city and school district board has final say on the future of work on city schools.