The recently elected president of the Syracuse Housing Authority (SHA) board, Ryan Benz, has recused himself from board activities related to a major redevelopment project. The move came after the agency's director, Bill Simmons, raised questions about a potential conflict of interest with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The issue surfaced publicly during a regular board meeting on Thursday, where a letter from HUD was discussed. The federal agency, which awarded a $50 million grant for the project in question, requested Benz step away from any discussions or votes while it reviews the matter. Benz complied but first addressed the board to state his position.
Key Takeaways
- SHA Board President Ryan Benz has recused himself from a key project amid a HUD review.
- The review was prompted by SHA Director Bill Simmons, who alleged a potential conflict of interest.
- The conflict centers on Benz's past business association with a subcontractor on the SHA's East Adams redevelopment.
- Benz maintains the business partnership was dissolved before he joined the SHA board and is unrelated to the housing project.
- The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between the SHA's executive leadership and its board, which has seen several new appointments by the mayor's office.
Allegations Surface Over Redevelopment Project
The controversy is tied to the ambitious East Adams neighborhood project, a large-scale redevelopment of public housing funded significantly by a $50 million federal grant from HUD. SHA Director Bill Simmons initiated the inquiry by contacting HUD directly about Benz's business history.
Simmons' concern involves a former real estate partnership Benz was involved in, OHB Redev LLC. Other partners in that entity included principals from Heuber Breuer Construction. This is significant because Heuber Breuer is a contractor for McCormack Baron Salazar, the primary developer hired by the SHA for the East Adams project.
According to Simmons, this chain of associations could create a conflict of interest, or at least the appearance of one, potentially jeopardizing federal funding. HUD responded swiftly, asking for Benz's recusal pending a full investigation.
Project at the Center
The East Adams redevelopment is a cornerstone project for Syracuse, aimed at transforming public housing with the help of a $50 million grant from HUD. The integrity of its management is under intense scrutiny.
Benz Disputes Conflict Claims
Before leaving Thursday's meeting, Benz presented his side of the story, expressing frustration with how the situation was handled. He stated that Simmons never approached him or the SHA's legal counsel before elevating the concern to the federal level.
Timeline of Events
Benz clarified the timeline of his business dealings. He explained that OHB Redev LLC was formed in 2022 for an entirely different project: the redevelopment of the defunct Shoppingtown Mall. After that project stalled due to eminent domain proceedings, the partnership became inactive and was formally disbanded by October 2025.
A month later, in November, Benz signed a conflict of interest disclosure for the SHA. On that form, he affirmed that he was not part of any organization conducting business with the housing authority, its vendors, or contractors.
“My frustration at this moment is that this could have been avoided had the executive director either asked counsel or myself,” Benz stated at the meeting, arguing that the partnership in question had ceased to exist and had no contractual ties to the SHA's work.
He emphasized two key points: OHB Redev LLC never had a contract with the SHA or its developers, and it was defunct before he completed his disclosure forms.
A Board in Transition
The public clash underscores a period of significant tension within the Syracuse Housing Authority's leadership. Benz was appointed to the board last year by former Mayor Ben Walsh, who had previously been critical of Simmons' management of the East Adams redevelopment.
Leadership Dynamics
The SHA board consists of seven members: five appointed by the mayor and two elected by tenants. Recent appointments by both former Mayor Ben Walsh and current Mayor Sharon Owens have shifted the board's composition. Mayor Owens has publicly stated her desire to see Simmons removed from his position as director.
Benz was elected board president in November following the resignation of his predecessor, Calvin Corriders. The recent appointments are seen by many as an effort by the city's leadership to increase oversight of the housing authority's operations.
When asked if Benz's explanation changed his view, Simmons said he would await the outcome of the federal review before commenting further. “You have actual conflicts and you have the appearance of a conflict, which is equally as strong,” Simmons remarked after the meeting. “That’s what HUD is looking into.” The investigation by the federal department is ongoing.
