Ithaca residents and downtown stakeholders will have several opportunities beginning in August to help shape the city’s $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative, including a public workshop, community survey and open call for projects.
The next phase begins Aug. 18 at Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E. Green St., with a Local Planning Committee meeting from 2 to 4 p.m. and a public workshop from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. that day.
New York’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative provides selected communities with $10 million to create a Strategic Investment Plan and fund projects intended to strengthen downtown districts. Ithaca’s community planning process will identify investment priorities and develop recommendations for the state.
What the committee will consider
At its second meeting, the Local Planning Committee is expected to review an analysis of existing downtown conditions, discuss emerging opportunities and consider a draft vision and goals for the planning process.
The committee will also consider whether to increase the $75,000 minimum for standalone projects, change the 25% minimum match required from private project sponsors and extend the DRI boundary south toward the SouthWorks campus. Any boundary change would affect which properties and proposals could qualify for funding.
The meeting is open to the public. Attendees may submit written comment cards and will have an opportunity to comment near the end of the session.
Workshop and survey seek public input
The evening workshop will invite participants to review the draft vision and goals, identify downtown strengths and challenges, suggest investment priorities and provide location-specific feedback through mapping and other interactive activities.
An online survey will also open Aug. 18 for residents, workers, students, business owners and other downtown users who cannot attend the meetings. It will ask about downtown priorities, challenges and opportunities and remain available through Oct. 1.
Project proposals open Aug. 20
The city’s open call for projects will run from Aug. 20 through Oct. 1. Property owners, businesses, developers, institutions, nonprofit organizations and other stakeholders may submit proposals for consideration by the committee.
Eligible proposals must be within the final DRI boundary, support the community’s vision and goals and meet state program requirements. Sponsors may submit a standalone project proposal or a Small Project Fund interest form for projects with total costs below $150,000.
Projects listed in Ithaca’s initial application to the state must reapply through the open call. Submission does not guarantee funding; the committee will evaluate proposals and recommend a final slate for state consideration in Ithaca’s Strategic Investment Plan.
Prospective sponsors are encouraged to complete an intent-to-submit form so they can discuss their ideas with the DRI project team before filing a formal application. Survey access, project forms, eligibility details and meeting materials will be available through the Ithaca DRI website.
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