SYRACUSE -- Unique architecture, remodeled homes, and an area for anyone to cook out and enjoy company. There's a long list adding to the resurgence of the Hawley Green neighborhood and it continues to grow. It doesn't look like much, but neighbors are prepping to add the vacant lot to their list of changing the face of the area. Rebecca Forbes says, "We already talked to some people who say 'Hey, we just want a little plot, I want to be able to grow some herbs for my kitchen.' We had a couple other people say, 'I want to put in a couple of tomato plants.' And others want to grow the whole shibang."

Rebecca and her neighbors held a ribbon cutting for the new community garden. The Hawley Green Vegetable Garden. With land leased from a nearby church, when it's up and running, they hope their crops include everything from carrots to cabbage, even cucumbers. Jeremy Neumann says, "It's a nice way of supplementing your food sources to get homegrown vegetables and to build community at the same time." 22 families are on board to help manage the garden through the summer season.

The garden plays a much larger role in the Hawley Green area as neighbors continue to transform and grow the neighborhood into something completely different than what it was just a few years ago. Frank Chiraldi says, "We used to know the names of our police officers and we still see them but they are never here on police calls."

Soil tests came back from labs last week. With some slight tilling of the land and new dirt, they can break ground by the end of the month.

Looking over the Hawley Green Vegetable Garden on Wayne St.

Planted beds in the foreground of Wayne St and apartment building.

Young chard plants taking root.

Partnering with the River of Life Church on James St, the current owners of the property.

Resident mulberry tree providing a sweet treat.

Interesting layout of beds looking toward the back of the homes on Green St.