Ben Walsh seeks ideas to compete for $1M ‘Mayors Challenge’ prize Updated Feb 01, 2021; Facebook Share Syracuse, N.Y. — What’s your best idea for improving Syracuse government? Mayor Ben Walsh wants to hear it as he prepares to enter Syracuse in a contest to win $1 million. The money is part of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ “Global Mayors Challenge.” The foundation will award $1 million grants to 15 cities that present “breakthrough ideas” for government efficiency and innovation in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. “No one knows Syracuse better than the people who live here, so it makes sense to engage our residents in the Mayor’s Challenge,” Walsh said. “The i-team is great at combining community input and data to create effective programs that make our City better. Since I’ve been mayor, the i-team has come up with effective solutions to challenges in sidewalk snow clearance, housing instability and getting permits for projects. I’m excited to see what comes of this next partnership with our community.”