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Ex-Ithacan Jul 15, 2005 3:45 PM

Some Ithaca news
 
Just a couple of small victories against the Nimby's. The building height restrictions for one side of one block downtown was increased from 60' to 85'. Not much, but I'll take it:

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...507070353/1002


There's also a proposal for a new apt bldg downtown(small rendering included):

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...507090328/1002

Not the same as the bigger cities, but at least it's a positive.

:D

SJPhillyBoy Jul 15, 2005 6:24 PM

Wow 85'. Come on Ex-Ith, there are McMansions out there that are that tall :D ;)

Austinlee Jul 15, 2005 11:07 PM

That apartment building is cute and cool. I'm liking it. Perhaps now is the time to make your triumphant return to Ithica, Mr. Ex.Ith. - Children will shout for joy, men will clap their hands with tears of pride in their eyes and the women will line up to make love to you and bear your children. You are a LEGEND!!!!!!!!!

whit_x Jul 15, 2005 11:32 PM

Well, it does look better than Napoli's
 
Since this thing is going to replace a couple of single story buildings, it can only help the urban fabric of Ithaca. It's nice to see everything that was torn out in Urban Renewal back in the 50's is finally being built on down there.

westcoastperspective Jul 16, 2005 12:16 AM

Twenty four units and a decent design- nothing to be ashamed of! How is Ciminelli's project- is it completed?

Ex-Ithacan Jul 17, 2005 1:43 PM

Thanks for the replies guys.

SJP - I know 85' isn't much, but it's a lot for little old Ithaca.

PA Pride - I did return this summer, and didn't even get arrested (Must have been the statute of limitations in effect:laugh: )

whit_x - Density and a touch of height, good times and projects for at least one upstate city.:)

westcoast - Ciminelli (Seneca Place) project is nearly complete. The last I saw it was suppose to open this month, but not sure when. Here's a couple of pics of the project (from April):

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/da...75ithapr23.jpg

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/da...75ithapr63.jpg



Yippee, the tax break for the new apt bldg passed:

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...507160328/1002

westcoastperspective Jul 17, 2005 5:50 PM

Seneca Place looks great. Ciminelli has alot of property in downtown Buffalo they're just sitting on. I'd take a similar project for Buffalo!

Ex-Ithacan Jul 20, 2005 2:44 PM

^ That would work for me too.

Here's some more news about downtown development in Ithaca:

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...507200324/1002

frank_pentangeli Jul 20, 2005 3:20 PM

How could anyone be against an 85 foot building in a city?

I like that there was a Pedestrian Awareness Committee, go Ithaca

whit_x Jul 20, 2005 11:20 PM

i get most of it, but
 
The movie theater is a bad idea. Not only is there a decent theater downtown (Cinemapolis), more importantly, since Regal and Pyramid are already in the process of building a new 14 screen theater complex in the mall to replace what's already there, there will be a glut of screens in town, and one of these two stadium seating theater projects will fail.

Ex-Ithacan Jul 21, 2005 1:05 PM

Thanks frank, I know 85' seems feeble, but it's a big step for Ithaca.

whit_x, The new theatres are suppose to be first run movies and not in direct competition with the indie cinemas. The hope is to generate more foot traffic downtown in order to help the merchants. There was a study done to back up the need for more first run theatres in the Ithaca metro(I know that sounds funny), and better to have them downtown than contributing to more sprawl outside the city.

whit_x Jul 21, 2005 3:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ex-Ithacan
Thanks frank, I know 85' seems feeble, but it's a big step for Ithaca.

whit_x, The new theatres are suppose to be first run movies and not in direct competition with the indie cinemas. The hope is to generate more foot traffic downtown in order to help the merchants. There was a study done to back up the need for more first run theatres in the Ithaca metro(I know that sounds funny), and better to have them downtown than contributing to more sprawl outside the city.

True, and I agree with the concept of a downtown theater, but there isn't enough demand for 12 more screens (4 at pyramid and 8 downtown) Besides, the theaters will be on Green St, which isn't exactly a place that is conductive to foot traffic. better they put something like that further down on State Street, maybe around Geneva St.

Ex-Ithacan Jul 21, 2005 3:23 PM

^ I think the thought is with the new Cayuga Green garage and the upgrade of the current Green St. garage, parking wouldn't be a problem, and the proposed new apt bldgs in the downtown would provide a resident audience also. I agree with the concerns with the demand for new screens, but I think many students and residents would like the opportunity to go to a restaurant downtown before/after a movie.

Ex-Ithacan Jul 30, 2005 2:53 PM

Yippee, the Seneca Place project is open. Here's a couple of articles with pics:

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...25/1002/NEWS17

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...14/1002/NEWS17

whit_x Aug 4, 2005 1:52 PM

More about Green St
 
The city is still debating tearing down the helix leading into the Green St. Garage, as this article explains

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...508040355/1002

At least they have voted to place a 2 story minimum for buildings downtown, and encouraging parking garages instead of surface parking, encouraging density.

Ex-Ithacan Aug 4, 2005 1:55 PM

^ Yeah I read that this morning. For as far as the city is already in debt, they might as well go for broke and build the new garage.

btw, did you see the guest columnist today in the Journal bitching about the parking rate increase? Let them try to park in DC for that price.:laugh:

whit_x Aug 4, 2005 8:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ex-Ithacan
^ Yeah I read that this morning. For as far as the city is already in debt, they might as well go for broke and build the new garage.

btw, did you see the guest columnist today in the Journal bitching about the parking rate increase? Let them try to park in DC for that price.:laugh:

Agreed, besides, if he's so worried about the cost or the danger of the garages, he can walk another block or 2 down near GIAC or further down on Tioga. Better yet, if price is such an issue, go after 6 or on the weekends, when parking is free (which is when he's coming down there anyway)

Ex-Ithacan Aug 5, 2005 10:48 AM

^ Sounds right to me.

And The good news for downtown just keeps rolling in. Here's an article about the city council ok'ing a big step for future development:

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...508050340/1002

Damn the NIMBYs, full speed ahead.:D

Here's a couple of pics of the garage involved(to the right). Sorry I don't have pics of the helix across the street, but the one in the article should give you a good idea:

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/da...75ithapr29.jpg

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/da...75ithapr31.jpg

:)

Ex-Ithacan Aug 8, 2005 1:15 PM

May be some more new buildings in downtown area if the county legislature gets it right. (You know, build in the core, not the burbs).

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...34/1002/NEWS17

Ex-Ithacan Aug 11, 2005 5:50 PM

Here's a quick little OPED piece about the fun of the students returning:

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...32/1014/NEWS17

Ex-Ithacan Aug 13, 2005 3:31 PM

An editorial promoting a step back in downtown development. Makes me grit my teeth:

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...36/1014/NEWS17

:hell:

Ex-Ithacan Aug 18, 2005 10:37 AM

This isn't about development, but the largest minority in the Ithaca area.

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...39/1002/NEWS17

whit_x Aug 18, 2005 2:32 PM

Being home this week, I have had a chance to see first hand the development of the last several years. My notes.

1) On the new parking garage, What the ##$$%%## were they thinking in placing reflective glass on the retail spaces on the first floor. No wonder why they can't get any business to go in there.

2) I like Seneca Place, except for the fact that it seems to be too much of a fortress. If there had been some ground floor retail, it might be a bit less daunting.

3) It's only a matter of time before a third corner in Collegetown gets apartments, since the convenience store and clothing store at the corner of Dryden rd and College Ave has closed. Sooner or Later the bank will be driven out as well.

4) At least the city was able to hold out with Wal-Mart for an earth-toned store with some landscaping, Still, when you look down the hill from Libe Slope, seeing a giant stripmall doesn't look quite right.

5) As far the last post goes, I'd rather have this happen as the result of Cornell than what has happened in most of Upstate due to the growth of the NY prison system.

Ex-Ithacan Aug 19, 2005 9:44 AM

I'm wondering if the reflective glass is a cover until they get a tenent in the retail space. There is suppose to be some retail in Seneca Place (about 8,000 sq ft I think). I agree that prime location in Collegetown is ripe for a new mid-rise, but the parking situation has to be resolved before more apartments go in. The whole big box thing has pluses (new sales tax coming into the city) and minuses (ugly big box stores).

I hope this works, here's a connection to a news report about downtown development(click on video of revitalization story, the first 18 seconds are an ad for the NYS fair)
sorry this doesn't work any longer.
http://www.news10now.com/content/top...asp?ArlD=47579

And here's an article covering the same thing:

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...508190339/1002

Ex-Ithacan Sep 9, 2005 11:27 AM

I know this thread should have stayed on the second page, but good news for downtown Ithaca. Common council passed another hurdle for the 2nd phase of the big downtown development:

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...72/1002/NEWS17

:D

Ex-Ithacan Sep 19, 2005 3:51 PM

Some more good news, city council approves the continued movement on the downtown project:

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...62/1002/NEWS17


And here's another development in the burbs (I know kind of sprawly, but what the heck).

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...36/1002/NEWS17

James Bond Agent 007 Sep 21, 2005 4:42 AM

^
Wow, the houses in that 2nd one look like they'll have a nice view.

http://cmsimg.theithacajournal.com/a...=1002&MaxW=290

Ex-Ithacan Sep 26, 2005 11:11 AM

Righto 007. The thing the pic doesn't show is the expanse of Cayuge Lake just over the ridge.

Ex-Ithacan Sep 30, 2005 10:36 AM

At last ground is being broken on the Gateway residential project in downtown Ithaca. Here's a short article with a small rendering pic (I'll see if I can find more pics):

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...509300335/1002

:D

Ex-Ithacan Oct 3, 2005 10:59 AM

I keep searching for better renderings, but I have to settle for whatever is in the paper. Here's an article about the Cayuga Green project and a small rendering:

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...510030313/1002

I hope this thing gets the tax abatements so it can get started. Guess I'm just anxious.

Ex-Ithacan Oct 6, 2005 11:09 AM

The money request for work on the Green st garage has passed the common council. This brings the new Cayga Green project one step closer to starting.

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...510060352/1002


Here is a quick article about what a succesfull small city downtown is about. The focus is Gary Ferguson (director of the Ithaca Downtown Partnership).

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?n...id=54687&rfi=6

http://www.theithacajournal.com/news...s/2165357.html

Ex-Ithacan Oct 28, 2005 10:53 AM

Pretty good commentary by the director of Ithaca Downtown Partnerships. I wish the citizen's of the "enlightened" city would just catch up to reality sometimes.

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...9/1014/OPINION

Ex-Ithacan Nov 3, 2005 11:54 AM

An article from the Cornell Daily Sun regarding new construction and renovations on campus:

http://www.cornelldailysun.com/vnews.../4369b63cbd17f


And here's a better look at the projects from Cornell Magazine:

http://cornell-magazine.cornell.edu/.../Features.html


With all this and the building going on in the city, Ithaca's a pretty busy place.

whit_x Nov 3, 2005 1:45 PM

My grandma used to work in the part of Marttha Van that they are tearing down. Maybe this time they'll build something that integrates into the older section, rather than a modernist piece of crap, but I'm not holding my breath.

It should be interesting to see how far they extend Lynah toward Teagle Hall, though.

Ex-Ithacan Nov 7, 2005 4:48 PM

Nice little article about good press for Ithaca.

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...511070304/1002


:D good press always good news.

Ex-Ithacan Nov 21, 2005 12:19 PM

Articles against and in support of the big new development in downtown. Of course I agree with the second one.

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...03/1014/NEWS17

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...08/1014/NEWS17

whit_x Dec 2, 2005 1:57 PM

The theater wars in the Ithaca area are about to happen. Pyramid and Regal finally got permission to build their 14 screen theater in the former Ames/Hills in the mall.

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...512020339/1002

If these screens and the 12 proposed for downtown come on line, than it will propbably spell the end of the two theaters locatd in the downtown area (Fall Creek and Cinemopolis, located across the street from the proposed location. In a city of 30,000 in a metro area of 100,000 with a stagnant to slow growing population, spending government monies on movie theaters (an industry that has undergone rapid consolidation and multiple bankrupcies, due to high prices and the shortening of the theater to DVD cycle) that will put out of business locally owned businesses who have succeeded over the last 15 to 20 years makes little sense. Also, by adding 16 screens to the area, both Pyramid and the proposed downtown location will be hurt, and with two locations of this size, only one will survive this. If the cities monies were spent on a 6 screen complex that would combine the Cinemopolis and Fall Creek locations into one location, with a couple of good restaurants and a coffee shop, this could work, but the plan, as presented to the city, makes no sense.

Ex-Ithacan Dec 3, 2005 9:57 PM

^ That's a strong possibility. I sincerely hope it doesn't work out that way, but I do want to see Ithaca, and in particular downtown, become more progressive and dynamic. Unfortunately, the shopping choices on the Commons is more quirky than practical if the downtown is going to maintain its viability in the face of growing competition from the malls in Lansing and the new big boxes in the southwest.

whit_x Dec 9, 2005 1:30 PM

Collegetown
 
In today's paper there is an article about a plan to revitalize the Collegetown neighborhood adjacent to Cornell

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...512090345/1002

Ex-Ithacan Dec 9, 2005 1:35 PM

I saw that rascal. Collegetown does need more parking (maybe a multi-level garage somewhere). I think it's only a matter of time before there are a couple of new residentials over 10 stories in Collegetown. At least I hope they go higher there. The retail needs to be stronger also.

whit_x Dec 10, 2005 3:54 AM

Problem is, where do you go. Except for the fourth corner of College & Dryden, it involves buying multiple properties. Plus I don't see the city letting anyone go over 75 feet in C-Town, even though the market can support it, at least for housing.

Ex-Ithacan Dec 10, 2005 3:58 AM

There's always the possibility of the surface lot on Stewart ave next to the gorge. A garage/residential hi rise had been proposed for that site back in the 60's. I think it would still work and be a dramatic addition to the lower part of C-town.

Ex-Ithacan Dec 17, 2005 12:49 AM

A new tax abatement plan may help get the Cayuga Green project over the final approval hurdle.

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...512160332/1002

A little complicated, but I think more cities may follow Ithaca's lead.:)

Ex-Ithacan Dec 22, 2005 11:08 AM

Here's another update about downtown development in Ithaca (not that anyone cares, it just gives me something to do :D ).

The tax incentive package for Cayuga Green finally passed in a close vote:

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...26/1002/NEWS17



Another article about density in downtown, (damn Nimbys got the height restrictions lowered in a couple of areas):

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...27/1002/NEWS17

:)

westcoastperspective Dec 22, 2005 2:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ex-Ithacan
Here's another update about downtown development in Ithaca (not that anyone cares, it just gives me something to do :D ).

The tax incentive package for Cayuga Green finally passed in a close vote:

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...26/1002/NEWS17



Another article about density in downtown, (damn Nimbys got the height restrictions lowered in a couple of areas):

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...27/1002/NEWS17

:)

Now, now- I follow your posts having been to Ithaca several times to see friends going to Ithaca College. Its a great small city and a nice drive from Buffalo. Keep up the good work!

Ex-Ithacan Dec 22, 2005 9:51 PM

Thank you kind sir. You realize that's just more incentive for me to post a million more lame things about a small city in upstate I haven't lived in for over 25 years.:D

Ex-Ithacan Dec 29, 2005 6:53 PM

Short article about the local community college buying a building (there's a pic too) downtown to use as a satellite campus. When I first got out of the Navy I went to TC3 for a year (out in the burbs).

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps.../51229002/1002

:)

whit_x Dec 29, 2005 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ex-Ithacan
Short article about the local community college buying a building (there's a pic too) downtown to use as a satellite campus. When I first got out of the Navy I went to TC3 for a year (out in the burbs).

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps.../51229002/1002

:)

Can't ever say I was a student at TC3, but good for them. Now what's going to go into their space back there in the old Rothschilds?

Ex-Ithacan Dec 30, 2005 12:07 AM

^ Didn't say in the article, but I'm guessing more hi-tech incubator companies. Or maybe Thomas Architects expansion.

whit_x Dec 30, 2005 1:10 AM

Maybe the Trust Company will be expanding, since they have some space in there as well.


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