Current City Projects

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Walkable Ithaca: Giles St. Sidewalk Project

PROJECT START DATE: Monday, Mar 21, 2022 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND GOAL: The City of Ithaca’s contractor, O.H. Striping, will make improvements to new sidewalk segments and curb ramps along 500-900 Giles St. and 1100 East State Street. The project will primarily include new granite curb, sidewalks and curb ramps, retaining walls, and drainage improvements. All sidewalks and curb ramps are within the City of Ithaca right of way.  This project has been funded in part by the Climate Smart Community Grant Program, Title 15 of the Environmental Protection Fund through the NYS Department of the Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC). 

LOCAL IMPACTS: Beginning March 21st, Giles Street will be closed to thru traffic. A detour will be posted using East State Street (Rt 79), and S. Aurora Street (Rt 96) . Vehicular access within the road closure will be provided for people who live along Giles Street and for emergency responders. People walking or biking through the closure should use caution and obey directions from construction crews. People driving should use the detour or alternative routes and should expect additional travel times, especially in getting through the South Hill and East Hill neighborhoods. The City encourages commuters to flex travel times, rideshare and take public transport whenever possible.    

After a few weeks, the 1100 block of East State St. will be reduced to one lane and flaggers will provide alternating traffic flow in both directions.  People driving or biking should expect delays.  

SCHEDULED COMPLETION DATE: July 1, 2022

PLEASE NOTE:  Construction, by nature, is subject to constant change, inclement weather, and unexpected findings.  

For additional information contact: John Licitra, Sidewalk Program Manager, City of Ithaca DPW - Engineering (607) 274-6534

South Cayuga Street Bridge Project

PROJECT NAME: South Cayuga St Bridge Project  

PROJECT START DATE: July 26, 2021  

SCHEDULED COMPLETION DATE: December 31, 2021   

PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND GOAL: This project is a bridge rehabilitation (Full Superstructure Replacement) project and includes complete removal of superstructure and replacement with multi-girder bridge with concrete deck also removal and replacement of deteriorated concrete on the abutments.  

LOCAL IMPACTS: The Bridge will be fully closed during construction. All vehicular and pedestrian traffic will utilize a signed off-site detour.   

For additional information contact: Addisu Gebre, Bridge Systems Engineer, DPW - Engineering (607) 274-6530

GREEN STREET REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT

The Green Street Garage will be closing temporarily for reconstruction on March 29, 2021. Garage re-opening is anticipated for late Fall 2021.  

The existing Green Street Garage will undergo demolition this Spring to make way for much needed improvements. When completed, the new garage will feature a total of 7 levels of parking, with an increase of 95 spaces.  This project comes in combination with the Asteri and the Ithacan development projects. Together, these projects will result in the construction of two 11- story buildings, with 181 permanently affordable living units above a community conference center and 200 market rate apartments. These projects will transform Green Street, with reimagined public spaces and much needed infrastructure updates. Demolition of the existing garage is scheduled to begin in March 29, 2021.

Transportation alternatives are available to city residents and workers through GO ITHACA, a free transportation benefits program from The City of Ithaca and Downtown Ithaca Alliance. Join GO ITHACA for all of these free perks!

• Free 40 Ride TCAT (transit) Pass; Discounts on monthly pass thereafter 
• $50 Ithaca Carshare Credit
• Free $50 gift certificate for biking and walking gear
• Free Park & Pool / Park & Ride Program
• And More! 

To register for GO ITHACA, visit goithaca.org or call (607) 391-1389.

Questions about parking in the city can be directed to Kelly Rogers at: (607) 882-2352 or krogers@cityofithaca.org

For any additional inquiries or information please contact City of Ithaca Senior Planner, Jennifer Kusznir at jkusznir@cityofithaca.org. 

More information about this project can also be found on the Downtown Ithaca Alliance website here.

College Ave Student Agencies Properties

South Albany Street Bridge Project
Draft Project Scoping Report: South Albany Street Bridge

South Albany Street Bridge Project Public Information Packet

Application Parcel 10

The City of Ithaca intends to file an application to the NYS Office of General Services to take title to a small piece of land at the entrance to the Farmers Market on the north side of the railroad tracks. This parcel was once under water and thus belongs technically to New York State. The City intends to use the parcel as an extension of Third Street.

Notice of Application Parcel 10 with map

Legal Notice

New sidewalks outside Sidewalk Improvement Districts

Addenda to City Code & Memo to Board of Public Works: Needed sidewalks not within Sidewalk Improvement Districts

Declaration of Lead Agency for Environmental Review

Fall Creek Drive- Environmental Assessment Form

Oak Avenue- Environmental Assessment Form

Cecil A Malone Bridge Project

This project will include replacing the existing bridge to eliminate the bridge structural deficiencies and provide a wider bridge deck to accommodate heavy industrial traffic, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

Public Information Packet 

Questions and comments concerning this project should be directed to Addisu Gebre, Bridge Systems Engineer, at agebre@cityofithaca.org by October 2, 2020 

College Ave Student Agencies Properties: Existing Building Demolition/New Building Construction 

Project Name: 411 – 415 College Ave Student Agencies Properties: Existing Building Demolition/New Building Construction

Project Location: 411 – 415 College Ave

Project Start Date: Maintenance and Protection of Traffic Plan and Sidewalk Closures Setup - Tuesday May 19^th, 2020

(Demolition Work Starts on Thursday, May 27, 2020)

Project Description and Goal: Cornell’s Student Agencies and Purcell Construction Corporation are scheduled to start demolition work on Collegetown Bagels building (block building on the corner of College Avenue). The proposed project consists of a six-story building with a lower retail floor space and student housing apartments. Demolition will begin May 27, 2020 with a reopening slated for August 2021.

Local Impacts: Beginning on May 19, the Contractor will mobilize and set up the work zone, traffic diversion plan and maintenance & protection plan to direct/prepare pedestrians and motorists for any commuting/diversion changes through College Ave and Oak Ave. A work zone will be set with 2 sidewalk closures along a portion of College Ave East side sidewalk and a portion of the southside Oak Avenue sidewalk. A one lane closure of the Eastbound lane on Oak Ave. will be set for vehicular through traffic headed Eastbound on Cornell Campus, while College Ave will maintain Two way lane traffic. Access will be maintained for businesses, however, on-street parking and loading zone areas will be limited at certain times on specific locations.

Recommended Detours: There will be no posted detours. Traffic will be maintained both ways through College Ave, while Oak Ave will maintain Westbound traffic through.

Scheduled Project Duration: 15 months

Questions, concerns or accessibility issues should be forwarded to the City of Ithaca Engineering Department at (607) 274-6530

East State Street Retaining Wall Project

Documents regarding the East State Street Retaining Wall Project can be found here.

Hector Street Complete Street Project

You can find the Design Report for the Hector Street Complete Street Project here

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