Syracuse, N.Y., Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27 § 27-117

(a) Whenever a notice and order to remove a violation, secure, vacate or demolish a building has not been complied with, the director may proceed to cause the violation to be removed or corrected or the structure to be demolished, repaired, altered, secured or vacated, or to take such other legal action as is necessary.
(b) The expense incurred by the city hereunder, plus fifteen (15) percent of such amount, shall be charged to and paid by the person(s) responsible for such violation. The director shall file with the commissioner of finance a statement of the items of expense, including the surcharge authorized hereunder, and the date of execution of actions authorized thereunder. The commissioner of finance shall proceed to collect said sums owing the city in the manner provided by law.
(c) Notwithstanding the aforementioned subsections (a) and (b) above, the corporation counsel, on behalf of the city of Syracuse, may commence a special proceeding in a court of competent jurisdiction to collect the costs of demolition and other expenses incurred by the city in removing or correcting violations, including reasonable and necessary legal expenses incidental to obtaining an order to demolish, from the owner of any building, structure or lot that may now be or shall hereafter become dangerous or unsafe to the public. The provisions of Article 4 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules shall govern any special proceeding commenced under this section.