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.
← See today's latestBaker House rising, housing plan tonight, playground funds green
Baker House redevelopment
A dormant Cornell fraternity house is becoming an entrepreneurship hub.
Real estate developer Richard Baker, a Cornell alumnus, has acquired the former Phi Sigma Kappa property at 702 University Ave. and filed plans to convert it into Baker House—a private club with restaurant, gym, spa, studios, and overnight rooms targeting entrepreneurs focused on real estate and hospitality [Quelle: Ithaca Voice]. The Ithaca Planning & Development Board unanimously agreed to lead the review at their September 22 meeting, with completion targeted for August 2027. Baker has also purchased roughly $26 million in nearby student housing—including Campus Hill Apartments—set to house Cornell students and alumni starting fall 2027.
This signals major private investment in Ithaca's downtown corridor.
Lower Elm Street housing plan
Ithaca residents will weigh in on a contested housing complex tonight.
A public meeting at Lehman Alternative Community School starts at 5:30 p.m. tonight (September 26) to hear developer plans for a proposed complex on lower Elm Street [Quelle: 607News Now]. Residents have raised concerns about mature forest clearing and other impacts; developers will present details and take questions. Written feedback can be sent to zoning@cityofithaca.org afterward.
This is a high-stakes moment for housing approval momentum in the city.
ADA playground at Iacovelli Park
The Town of Ithaca has secured over $158,000 for an accessible playground upgrade.
Funds will support an ADA-compliant play area at Vincenzo Iacovelli Park, located near the South Hill Recreation Way trail [Quelle: 607News Now]. The project expands recreational access for children and families with mobility needs across the community.
Implementation details will emerge as planning moves forward.
Homelessness response peer network
Ithaca and Tompkins County are joining a national learning cohort on housing the unhoused.
Local leaders have been selected for the NYU Furman Center's 2026 Homeless Response Peer Network, which runs monthly sessions through February to identify service gaps and share best practices [Quelle: Big Fox News]. The program connects communities working on similar challenges, feeding insights back into local planning.
Results may shape how the city approaches the October 5 unhoused services coordination meeting already on the calendar.
Ithaca and Tompkins County join NYU Furman Center's 2026 ...10 hours ago ... Holly Magee ▻ Caroline Hates Zoning. 3y · Public · Tompkins county looking ... housing in Ithaca City, and around Tompkins County. 4 Things You Can Do to ...facebook.com
Town of Ithaca to get over $158k for ADA accessible playground at ...21 hours ago ... Public meeting to be held at LACS regarding housing complex proposal on lower Elm Street. Tonight, September 24th, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., there will be a public ...607newsnow.com
Dormant Cornell fraternity house to be turned into entrepreneurship ...10 hours ago ... Brian Crandall reports on housing and development for the Ithaca Voice. He can be reached at bcrandall@ithacavoice.org. More by Brian Crandall. TOP NEWS.ithacavoice.org