City officials lifted an order to vacate a residential building at 118 East Green Street on March 20 after completing required life-safety testing.
The order was lifted at 2:30 p.m. after the building’s pressurization system performed as intended, clearing the way for residents to return.
The order had been issued after officials identified an immediate life-safety concern inside the building.
The property owner, Vecino Group, plans a phased return for residents who were temporarily relocated to hotels. Re-entry began March 20 for residents staying at one hotel, with transportation expected to be available between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Additional residents will return on a hotel-by-hotel basis starting Monday, with accommodations extended through the weekend to support the transition.
Vecino said staff will be onsite during the re-entry period to assist residents and coordinate logistics.
The company will continue repairs, including full window replacements and corrections to remaining fire code violations. Fire watch measures will remain in place and the city’s Fire Prevention Bureau will continue inspections until all issues are resolved.
To support the return, the city requested volunteer fire police presence along East Green Street and will station a law enforcement officer nearby.
The city is also coordinating with Foodnet Meals on Wheels to provide two frozen meals to each of the 138 residents returning to the building.
“Today’s results show that the building’s life-safety systems are functioning as designed,” Ithaca Fire Chief Michael Moody said. “In addition to the ‘Immediate Life Safety Issue,’ multiple fire code violations have been corrected for compliance. The Fire Department will continue to monitor the building through inspections.”
Acting City Manager Dominick Recckio said the decision followed coordination among multiple agencies and partners.
“The collaboration across City departments, agencies, service providers, and the property owner has ensured that residents can return home safely,” Recckio said. “Ensuring the life safety of the building has been the City’s top priority and the repairs completed have given our team the confidence to lift the order to vacate.”
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