Well someone has to drag Ithaca/Tompkins into the new millennium, even if the area's kicking and screaming all the way. And Ex, I just got a little red in the face. Guess it wasn't too hard to tell that was me.
On that note, when it comes to pro-development arguments, I think on the local level, the financial argument and increased tax dollars talking point works pretty well. The affordable housing talking point only works on certain crowds.
I kinda like the Vine Street project. It's low-impact and fits in with the neighborhood better than the old trucking company ever did. Given the new four-story apartment building being built on Maple Avenue and this project, I'd say that Outer Collegetown/East Hill is growing at a pretty good clip. Only a matter of time before we see development (Cornell graduate housing or private) push east towards East Hill Plaza.