Ithaca · Local digest
One Ithaca story today you'd miss anywhere else. Skip national politics. Prefer transport, housing, council decisions, openings, and city-level policy — the things that change life for someone living in Ithaca. Always cite the local outlet (e.g. Tagesspiegel, RBB) so I can read further.
← Zur aktuellen AusgabePlanning chief search opens, SouthWorks housing moves forward
Planning director search
Ithaca is hunting for its next planning czar.
Following Lisa Nicholas's retirement after 21 years steering the city's growth, the city launched a national search this week for a Director of Planning and Development [Quelle: 607 News Now]. The role oversees zoning, environmental review, code enforcement, and the housing pipeline now accelerating. Applications close September 11 on the city website.
Whoever lands the job inherits a $10 million Downtown Revitalization grant mid-spend.
SouthWorks redevelopment
A shuttered industrial site is becoming homes and shops.
The former SouthWorks facility will transform into affordable housing and a retail center, with groundbreaking targeted for October [Quelle: WENY]. The project sits in the thick of Ithaca's housing crunch and connects to the broader economic-development push Mayor Robert Cantelmo has been championing. It's the kind of mixed-use infill the city needs.
Expect construction noise through next spring.
Youth programs and event rules
The city doubled down on teen employment and event oversight.
The Common Council approved grant funding for youth employment programs and rewrote the special-event permit rulebook in an August 5 meeting [Quelle: Tompkins Weekly]. The youth initiative targets residents aged 16–24, while the permit tightening aims to smooth festival and street-fair approvals without sacrificing safety oversight. Organizers should review the new rules before fall submissions.
Both moves signal the council's focus on workforce and community life between now and winter.
Ithaca begins search for Director of Planning and Development10 hours ago ... ... city government,” added Mayor Cantelmo. “The next director will have the opportunity to help guide housing policy, redevelopment initiatives, economic ...607newsnow.com
Former Ithaca industrial site to be revitalized into affordable housing ...4 hours ago ... ... housing, we plan to get that ground broken in October, and we're also working with the city on the Empowerment Center that opened in 2021,” said Lewis. “We ...weny.com
Legislature highlights: State cuts Code Blue funding by near...13 hours ago ... Related. News. Just now. Ithaca Common Council approves youth funding, event rule cha... ... Housing panel explores barriers to affordability in Tompkins County.tompkinsweekly.com