Ithaca officials have approved the environmental review and acquisition of the former SSG Reynold J. King U.S. Army Reserve Center property, a more than five-acre site at 101 Sunrise Road that city leaders say could support future housing and other municipal needs.
The action was among several measures approved by Common Council during its July 8 regular voting meeting, according to a July 13 release from the city.
The city said the former Armory site is already connected to municipal utilities and infrastructure. Officials described the property as a rare opportunity to secure strategically located land inside city limits while preserving flexibility for interim municipal uses and long-term development planning.
Acting City Manager Dominick Recckio said the property offers "tremendous long-term potential" and could become a significant future housing opportunity. He said the city plans to evaluate interim municipal uses in the near term and share more information as the transaction closes and future planning moves forward.
Council also adopted budget priorities to guide development of the fiscal year 2027 budget. The city said the priorities emphasize core services, workforce support, infrastructure and facilities, strategic initiatives, operational efficiency and alignment with community goals.
In public safety matters, council approved new positions for the city's ROOTS, or Responders Offering Outreach Trust and Support, program. The positions include one full-time working supervisor, one full-time community responder and two part-time community responders, with the program designed to provide non-law-enforcement responses to behavioral health concerns, quality-of-life issues, housing instability and other community needs.
Council also approved a policy for Ithaca Police Department tactical grant applications, setting expectations and procedures for future requests involving specialized law enforcement grant funding.
Other actions included approval of a midyear personnel and budget adjustment for the Greater Ithaca Activities Center, authorization for the city to serve as lead agency for environmental review of the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility Capital Improvements Project and approval of an intermunicipal agreement tied to distributed energy resources consulting services.
The city also said 4th Ward Alderperson Patrick Kuehl announced he will resign from Common Council effective Aug. 5 to pursue a doctoral degree in government.
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