Some Ithaca news - Page 29

whit_x · #**561** Posted **Feb 9, 2007, 1:16 AM**

I'm glad that planning students at Cornell are actually doing something productive in the Ithaca community. This kind of project reminds me of a couple of the projects that I worked on in planning school at Florida State. Too many times, students at Cornell become disassociated from the place that they spend 2 or 4 years of their lives because too many perceive the place as too small time for them.

Ex-Ithacan · #**562** Posted **Feb 9, 2007, 1:51 AM**

I agree. The students are a heck of a resource which should be utilized more often. Not just the planning kids, but all 25,000 at both schools. I know there's been quite an upswing in student activity as far as volunteer work goes. Good stuff.

Maybe Lakeside has found a way to save itself from the state chopping block:

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...702080311/1002

I hope this works.

Visiteur · #**563** Posted **Feb 9, 2007, 5:03 PM**

Yesterday, I went down to the city to take pictures of the student works, the Cornell 25-year master plan, and the virtually complete Gateway Commons.

It was as I in the Common council chambers that I realised the batteries in my camera had died.

So, I'll try and explain what I saw, for what it's worth.

The most impressive project was the one pictured above. All the others were fairly lowrise structures, like rowhouses, townhouses, and small aprtment buildings. None had anything over 5 floors, and one suggested removing the neighbouring trailer park for expanded green space.

As for the Cornell master plan, the general idea seems to be build out more towards the CALS agriculture fields of East Campus, more constuction at East Hill as a commerical center for Cornell and Collegetown, and most notably, the increased use of infill projects tall enough to acheieve the maximum efficency in a given space. The suggestion was also made to promote Tower road as a rapid transit corridor, but hey, this is a twenty-five year plan. Ex will we watching the grandkids go off to college by then.

And Gateway Commons. It's pretty. That's not going anywhere, so when I recharge the camera, I'll go down again to take some photos of that (alas, the other two interests have been moved/will be moving).

Ex-Ithacan · #**564** Posted **Feb 9, 2007, 5:36 PM**

Thanks so much for the try Vis (my batteries have died at inopportune times as well). Glad you got to see the proposals and fill us in a bit. Do you know if the Cornell master plan has a site? What I've found on the Cornell website doesn't give much in the way of specifics.

Look forward to the Gateway pics when you get a chance. Thanks.

Ex-Ithacan · #**565** Posted **Feb 10, 2007, 12:30 AM**

I had no idea Cornell has this big an affect on NYS as a whole, and cnetral NY in particular:

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...702090340/1002

by the numbers:

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...WS01/702090345

Ex-Ithacan · #**566** Posted **Feb 12, 2007, 3:02 PM**

This, but for the grace of God and the draft, go I. He's talking about my old hood.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1PpQr8MQO8

Visiteur · #**567** Posted **Feb 14, 2007, 4:20 PM**

missing this Ex?

Anyways, the news...

http://www.ithacajournal.com/apps/pb...WS01/702140336
New health department building planned; construction set for early 08'
(32,000 sq. ft, so don't expect more than two or three floors at best)

http://www.ithacajournal.com/apps/pb...WS01/702140319
Is it counterproductive to create a new committee to try and improve the efficiency of gov't?

Ex-Ithacan · #**568** Posted **Feb 15, 2007, 2:24 PM**

^ You can keep that devil's white precipitation up there, thank you.

I'm kind of disappointed that the new health dept building isn't bigger. Maybe they could combine it with another agency and build taller. Or maybe add on to the county mental health bldg on green st (heck it's 6 stories, just add about 3 floors). Wishful thinking.

whit_x · #**569** Posted **Feb 16, 2007, 1:47 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Visiteur

missing this Ex?

Anyways, the news...

Ahhh, every so often I have to remember why I moved to Florida....Only out in Brooktondale it would be about 2 days before the snowplows got to my house (more now that my Grandpa is no longer with us, since he was the one plowing the roads).

Ex-Ithacan · #**570** Posted **Feb 16, 2007, 12:47 PM**

So his passing was not only your family's loss, but Brooktondale's as well.

Here's an article about town/gown relations in Ithaca:

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?n...d=216620&rfi=6

whit_x · #**571** Posted **Feb 17, 2007, 2:04 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ex-Ithacan

So his passing was not only your family's loss, but Brooktondale's as well.

Here's an article about town/gown relations in Ithaca:

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?n...d=216620&rfi=6

Naah, just the people of Central Chapel Road and Old 76 Road (just kidding, since he worked for the town for about 40 years, plus my grandma was a teacher out there back in the days of 1 room schoolhouses)

Ex-Ithacan · #**572** Posted **Feb 17, 2007, 2:47 AM**

^ Sounds like some strong ties to Brooktondale.

Ex-Ithacan · #**573** Posted **Feb 19, 2007, 1:30 AM**

Here's a video (about 6 minutes) regarding the silent movie era in Ithaca.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUifHTUDQ0Q

whit_x · #**574** Posted **Feb 20, 2007, 12:58 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ex-Ithacan

^ Sounds like some strong ties to Brooktondale.

Just a bit. Anyhow, I saw that the new Kinney Drug is about to open in Trumansburg. Hopefully the current storefront will be filled soon, since places like T-Burg don't need to become like downtown Dryden.

Visiteur · #**575** Posted **Feb 22, 2007, 6:11 PM**

http://www.ithacajournal.com/apps/pb...WS01/702220350

Cornell's newest project: a 15,000 sq. ft. daycare center.

http://www.ithacajournal.com/apps/pb...WS01/702220341

The locals here complain way too much.

Ex-Ithacan · #**576** Posted **Feb 23, 2007, 10:37 AM**

As far as the 2nd article, those guys weren't complaining about the development being built where they currently live. Nimbys.

About the new daycare center, are you trying to gently tell us there may be some little Visiteurs running around?

Ex-Ithacan · #**577** Posted **Feb 23, 2007, 3:39 PM**

These articles are not really development related, but both are "good news" stories about Ithaca.

Two local, small firms in running for prize:

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...WS01/702230359

Mid winter promotion by convention bureau pays off:

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...WS01/702230337

whit_x · #**578** Posted **Feb 24, 2007, 3:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ex-Ithacan

As far as the 2nd article, those guys weren't complaining about the development being built where they currently live. Nimbys.

About the new daycare center, are you trying to gently tell us there may be some little Visiteurs running around?

These people exist everywhere. My personal favorite are the people that oppose replacing a Sam's Club with a Wal-Mart of the same size where I live because it wouldn't meet the current zoning regulations, when their entire neighborhood would not exist under today's regulations either.

Visiteur · #**579** Posted **Feb 24, 2007, 10:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ex-Ithacan

As far as the 2nd article, those guys weren't complaining about the development being built where they currently live. Nimbys.

About the new daycare center, are you trying to gently tell us there may be some little Visiteurs running around?

No, I'm pretty sure there won't be any little Visiteurs for a while. But the Cornell employees have been asking for a daycare center for a few years now. To be exact, there is demand for a 158-child facility.

So, I was out doing some fraternity activities this weekend, and I noticed near the chain store flats at least three new constructions, so I am feeling slightly happier than usual right now. And what is up with building new houses within the city of Ithaca? I saw two of those going up, and I've hardly ever seen that in other cities. Must be the hippies

.

Ex-Ithacan · #**580** Posted **Feb 25, 2007, 3:26 PM**

New commercial construction in the flats, cool. Let us know what's going on if you happen to find out.

As far as new home construction in the city, sure it still happens. But the houses must be solar powered, have a big compost pile, use wind power to run the recycled water pirification equipment, and use environmentally friendly materials (ie. hay, mud. old plastic coke bottle) during construction.
Gotta love the place.