Some Ithaca news - Page 15

Ex-Ithacan · #**281** Posted **Sep 5, 2006, 10:42 AM**

^^ @ Vis - affordable housing has been a problem in Tompkins County for quite a while. I know on West Hill toward the hospital there is a housing development proposed (expansion of a current development) which would offer about 100 affordable units. The problems associated with many of these out of city developments is they contribute to sprawl, and transportation for the residents. I think it would be nice if Cornell would contribute some land (heaven knows they've got a boat-load of it) to a developer for a nice hi-rise or two of mixed income housing. TCAT covers Cornell like a blanket, so the lower income residents would have dependable transportation, and a large project would benefit the city's tax rolls. I know many of the working poor live in the surrounding counties, and that causes increased traffic(even if they are old jalopies), lost property taxes, and smaller matching govt funds based on population.

Might also help if the city would raise the height limit downtown for taller apartment buildings with the stipulation of affordable units being offered by the developers.

whit_x · #**282** Posted **Sep 6, 2006, 10:30 AM**

Heck, East Hill Plaza will be perfect for it, if they could figure out a way to build above the plaza, or better still tear down the middle part of the plaza once Rite Aid moves across the street and put in a multi-story building.

Visiteur · #**283** Posted **Sep 9, 2006, 2:54 PM**

Cayuga Green is approved once again:

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...609090338/1002

helix should be down by mid-October, and then the building will go up over the next 10 to 12 months. Here's to 68 apartments and some more retail space (and the arthouse theatre)

However, note the comments section where someone goes on about how downtown Ithaca will be overrun by rich people, and that the approval process was completely undemocratic. No one is ever pleased in this city...

Ex-Ithacan · #**284** Posted **Sep 9, 2006, 6:10 PM**

^ Yeah Vis, I would expect a comment like that from Ithaca. There's a lot of people there that wouldn't be pleased unless the city had free apartments and nothing but cheap head shops throughout the Commons.

Good to see the project finally get the green light. I just hope 7 arts and the developers can strike a deal soon.

whit_x · #**285** Posted **Sep 10, 2006, 7:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Visiteur

Cayuga Green is approved once again:

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...609090338/1002

helix should be down by mid-October, and then the building will go up over the next 10 to 12 months. Here's to 68 apartments and some more retail space (and the arthouse theatre)

However, note the comments section where someone goes on about how downtown Ithaca will be overrun by rich people, and that the approval process was completely undemocratic. No one is ever pleased in this city...

Umm, with the exception of a few homeless people and the disaffected Goth types that hang out under the Bernie Milton Pavillion, there are no poor people hanging out on the Commons, since most of them are either priced out of downtown (those living in the City), or wrongly percieve downtown as a crime ridden hellhole (mostly living in Brooktondale, Dryden, Etna, Lansing, etc, and have never lived anywhere else). I'm wondering if the gym that's in Center Ithaca will be expanding once Cinemopolis is moved into Cayuga Green, and also what could replace Fall Creek Pictures, since that building sat empty for 8 or 9 years before the theatre opened there.

Visiteur · #**286** Posted **Sep 11, 2006, 12:25 AM**

Since you mention it whit, I wasn't inclined to say it, but those "disaffected goth types" really creep me out when I visit the Commons...and the pall of tobacco smoke around them is annoying. But, thank goodness they're a minority in Ithaca...

Ex-Ithacan · #**287** Posted **Sep 11, 2006, 2:55 PM**

I think a nice mix of affordable housing downtown is a noble idea, but I'm wondering about the economic feasability for a developer. The folks who hang around the bank (at least the last time I visited) would do well to find something constructive to occupy their time. wow, do I ever sound like an old fogey

No idea of what will happen to the old Fall Creek Pictures bldg. I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see it become another restaurant though, Ithaca certainly needs more eateries

Visiteur · #**288** Posted **Sep 11, 2006, 7:00 PM**

Ithaca needs eateries like Washington needs politicians.

Ex-Ithacan · #**289** Posted **Sep 11, 2006, 9:36 PM**

^lol

whit_x · #**290** Posted **Sep 12, 2006, 12:25 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Visiteur

Since you mention it whit, I wasn't inclined to say it, but those "disaffected goth types" really creep me out when I visit the Commons...and the pall of tobacco smoke around them is annoying. But, thank goodness they're a minority in Ithaca...

Get used to them, the bodies may change over your four years up on the hill, but the general vibe is the same as it's been at least since the mid to late 80's there.

whit_x · #**291** Posted **Sep 12, 2006, 12:26 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ex-Ithacan

I think a nice mix of affordable housing downtown is a noble idea, but I'm wondering about the economic feasability for a developer. The folks who hang around the bank (at least the last time I visited) would do well to find something constructive to occupy their time. wow, do I ever sound like an old fogey

No idea of what will happen to the old Fall Creek Pictures bldg. I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see it become another restaurant though, Ithaca certainly needs more eateries

There's already a good one there. Besides, we're talking about a 15,000 square foot building there.

Ex-Ithacan · #**292** Posted **Sep 12, 2006, 12:30 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by whit_x

There's already a good one there. Besides, we're talking about a 15,000 square foot building there.

I was being a bit of a smart a$$. I think a food market or a Fall Creek community center maybe.

Visiteur · #**293** Posted **Sep 12, 2006, 3:16 PM**

One step forward (maybe)

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...609120322/1002

One step back (a little step)

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...609120312/1002

If Ithaca were a street, it would be a two-way road with equal traffic volume on both sides.

whit_x · #**294** Posted **Sep 13, 2006, 10:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ex-Ithacan

I was being a bit of a smart a$$. I think a food market or a Fall Creek community center maybe.

I don't think the first will happen, since the reason that FCP exists is that P&C closed that location in the late 70's, and the site laid vacant for 7 or 8 years. I think that the second idea might work, though, that or another health club.

Ex-Ithacan · #**295** Posted **Sep 14, 2006, 10:07 PM**

Well, it's not like there aren't already plenty of empty buildings in the city

Ex-Ithacan · #**296** Posted **Sep 14, 2006, 10:09 PM**

Hey Vis, it was nice to finally meet you. Hope my history lesson of my life in Ithaca didn't bore you too much. I just realized I forgot to take your pic. Guess it can wait till my next visit. Good luck with school and I hope you accomplish your goals.

Visiteur · #**297** Posted **Sep 16, 2006, 3:43 PM**

Yeah, it was nice to meet you too Ex. I enjoyed the tour, so thanks for sharing your knowledge of Ithaca.

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...609160337/1002

New real estate offices for Ithaca...I hope this suggests a trend...

whit_x · #**298** Posted **Sep 17, 2006, 6:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Visiteur

Yeah, it was nice to meet you too Ex. I enjoyed the tour, so thanks for sharing your knowledge of Ithaca.

http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps...609160337/1002

New real estate offices for Ithaca...I hope this suggests a trend...

So, that's who built that building. I was wondering as I drove by it one day last month.

Ex-Ithacan · #**299** Posted **Sep 17, 2006, 7:00 PM**

Didn't know about that one Vis, thanks.

btw, here's alink to the site of the architect - Jagat Sharma:

http://www.sharma-arch.com/index_rev...h_website.html

I'm sure you'll recognize a lot of his buildings, especially the apartments.

Visiteur · #**300** Posted **Sep 18, 2006, 2:50 AM**

Looking at his site...we know that this is under construction, based on an earlier news article:

Wait, is this College Ave. Building new, or a renovation? I've passed by it and thought it was a simple renovation, but now i'm not sure. I also initially thought this was only a few floors. Hmmm...