Ithaca residents, business owners and community groups are being invited to help shape how the city uses a $10 million state Downtown Revitalization Initiative award.
The city has launched "Ithaca's Downtown Revitalization Initiative: Downtown Renaissance," a planning process that will develop a community-driven vision and investment strategy for the downtown study area.
The effort is tied to the state's Downtown Revitalization Initiative, a program that provides communities with $10 million to prepare strategic investment plans and fund projects intended to transform downtown neighborhoods into active centers for living, working, visiting and doing business.
The process will bring together residents, local stakeholders and a Local Planning Committee to identify projects that support economic development, improve quality of life and create a more resilient and inclusive downtown area, according to the city's announcement.
Planning area covers the Commons and West State corridor
Projects must fall within the proposed DRI area, though the boundary may be amended by the Local Planning Committee.
The area has been identified as the Commons and the West State Street corridor, including blocks on either side of West State Street, also known as Martin Luther King Jr. Street, between Cayuga Street to the east and Meadow Street to the west.
The release describes the planning area as the DRI Study Area. Eligible projects will be considered through the planning process, with recommendations expected to reflect community priorities before funding decisions are made.
The city said the DRI process is meant to produce a Strategic Investment Plan. That plan will define goals and strategies, evaluate project proposals and identify investments that could support downtown revitalization.
Local committee will guide recommendations
The Local Planning Committee will guide the planning process and help ensure project recommendations reflect what residents, businesses and other local stakeholders identify as priorities.
The committee will provide direction throughout the process, review project submissions and help advance a shared vision for the DRI area.
It is co-chaired by Ithaca Mayor Robert C. Cantelmo and Tom Schryver, a member of the Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council. The committee includes residents, business owners, community leaders and other local stakeholders.
The committee is expected to meet about once a month during the planning process. Meetings will focus on existing conditions, community priorities, a shared vision, goals and strategies for revitalization, project proposals and guidance as the Strategic Investment Plan is developed.
Committee meetings will be open to the public. Each meeting will include a 10-minute public comment period at the end, giving community members time to share feedback, ask questions and contribute ideas.
First meeting set for July 14
The first Local Planning Committee meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, July 14, at BorgWarner West at Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E. Green St. in Ithaca.
The meeting will introduce committee members, provide an overview of the DRI process and schedule, and begin discussions about a vision, opportunities and priorities for the DRI Study Area.
Residents, business owners, property owners, community organizations and anyone with an interest in the revitalization of the DRI area are encouraged to attend committee meetings and participate in future engagement opportunities.
The city said community participation is essential to the process. Public input will help identify what kinds of projects should be considered and how the downtown area should develop through the investment plan.
Public workshops and project submissions planned
In addition to committee meetings, the public will have other opportunities to share input at key stages of the process.
The city said the engagement plan includes two public workshops, a community survey and tabling at community events. An open call for projects will also invite submissions for funding consideration for eligible projects within the DRI area.
Additional information about the DRI, future meetings and public engagement opportunities is available through the project website.
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