Ithaca · Local digest

Ithaca Common Council approved transferring ownership of the condemned Seneca Street Parking Garage to the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (IURA) to facilitate mixed-use redevelopment. The Sept. 2 resolution directs IURA to solicit developers for the site at 202 E. Seneca St., which city officials determined was too damaged to repair after concrete pieces fell off in April. The agency will conduct a competitive bid process and score proposals before presenting a final sales and development agreement to Common Council for approval. Expected land value ranges from $3.31 million to $6.62 million based on $100-200 per square foot pricing. Council's redevelopment stipulations include market-rate or mixed-income housing (all-affordable projects discouraged), owner-occupied units like condominiums encouraged, maximizing development potential within existing CBD-85 and CBD-100 zoning (allowing 85-100 foot structures with 100% lot coverage), reestablishing a bus shelter, incorporating ground-level retail along street frontages, and meeting climate goals. Mayor Robert Cantelmo emphasized the city wants mixed-use development with housing. IURA Executive Director Nels Bohn noted the process involves multiple public hearings and approval steps that could take several months, citing previous garage redevelopment projects that drew limited developer interest.