An update article from the Daily Sun:
City of Ithaca: Sweeping Redesigns of Commons Is 'On Track'
Connor Archard / Sun Senior Photographer
The first phase of the Commons redesign will conclude by the end of November 2013.
NOVEMBER 14, 2013 1:06 AM
By TYLER ALICEA
e replacement of utilities on the Ithaca Commons is set to wrap up later this month before the start of the holiday season, paving the way for the $10-million Commons redesign project to be completed in Summer 2014.
Construction for utilities is on track to end on Nov. 27, which will be followed by a break in construction until March 2014, according to Project Manager Michael Kuo. When completed next summer, the redesigned Ithaca Commons will feature improved aesthetics, amenities and repaired infrastructure — which, in some places, was over 100 years old.
“The real hope here is that [the redesign will be] a shot in the arm for economic development,” Kuo said.
Due to the scope of the project, which began construction in April and is set to be completed in July 2014, the redesign is taking place over the span of two construction years, which typically run from March until November, according to Kuo. Since construction does not typically take place during winter months, the project will necessitate a winter break, Kuo said.
In addition, the break will allow businesses to continue operating without construction-related interruptions during the high retail season before the holidays.
“I think it’s important to have that break and to make the Commons as accessible as possible,” Alderperson Graham Kerslick (D-4th Ward) said, adding that the Commons will get busier in the following weeks.
So far, businesses on the Commons have remained open during the construction. According to Gary Ferguson, executive director of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, the Commons redesign has had varying impacts on businesses’ performance. Regardless, Ferguson said he believes there are still a lot of people visiting downtown.
“The message we always want to send out to people is that downtown is still open. We want to see you more than ever,” Ferguson said.
However, once construction of the new streetscape begins in March, some businesses may have storefronts temporarily blocked in order to allow the city to repave the pedestrian mall and fully complete the redesign of the Commons, according to Kuo. Currently, construction is limited to the center of the Commons, leaving walkways and buildings accessible to pedestrians.
“We’re really trying to figure out a way to minimize the duration of the burden,” Kuo said, adding that construction workers will try to juggle the need to act quickly and the need to complete the large amount of work properly.
Overall, the construction team is trying to be as transparent as possible by providing the community with weekly updates and by ensuring individuals remain informed about the project, according to Kuo and Tammy Baker, outreach coordinator for the project. According to Kerslick, business owners have voiced their appreciation for having open communications about the project.
Although businesses will have to continue to work with construction workers in the following months, many business and building owners have already benefitted from the utility upgrades currently taking place, according to Kuo and Ferguson.
Increasing water volume to buildings, adding fire sprinklers or replacing sewering sewer lines are just some of the improvements building owners have been able to take advantage of, according to Kuo.
Here's the link:
http://cornellsun.com/blog/2013/11/1...sign-on-track/