Ithacating in Cornell Heights

With all the doom and gloom associated with the current economic times (rightfully so), it’s easy to forget that there are still some projects in the pipeline outside of Cornell, but in the surrounding Ithaca area. Since it’s been a while since I chronicled those, let’s do a quick overview.

Lansing

Ithaca’s northern suburb has a number of different projects  planned. Currently going through the pipeline are the Lansing Commons project (~50 units) and the Cayuga Farms projects (~138 units). The projects are typical suburban development, consisting of single-family homes, townhouses, and a few apartment buildings and commerical office buildings. The buildout would be over a period of several years.

Ithaca (town)

Apart from some minor subdivisions, an electrical substation and a wireless tower, the big project in the town of Ithaca is the Carrowmoor project [2].  The 400-unit project is an eco-friendly development of houses and a small village center of retail and office space. The residential units are a mix of single-family houses, townhouses and apartment buildings. The buildout is also over a period of several years. Building designs are meant to be a throwback to the days of Tudor England (for better of for worse [3 -The website for the development looks like it was built in 2000, and takes a long while to load]).

Ithaca City

Two outparcels (small-box retail no doubt) are planned for the SW commerical district. One is in front of the Tops Plaza, the other is next to Wal-Mart. Renovation for the Hangar Theatre, finalized drfats for the Ithaca College Athletics Center, and construction for Urban Outfitters planned downtown location are also going through the board. The Hotel Ithaca is still underway- technically. The 10-story, 100 ft. building is currently being held up because the building has a nine-foot overhang over the Green Street Garage—meaning it’s in city air space, and has to go in front of the board to get approval for that air space [4]. A little bit ridiculous, perhaps, but that’s how it’s done. anyways, the preliminary design has been brought in front of the board, but no image is widely available as of yet.

Technically, the Southwest neighborhood plan is still active too, but that one might just as well be considered in hibernation given the economic situation.

Heck, since I’m writing this, I might as well include progress photos of some of the campus projects.

Veterinary School Animal Health Diagnostic Center

Physical Sciences Building

MVR North expansion

 Hotel School Expansion

[1]http://www.lansingstar.com/content/view/4601/66/

[2]http://www.ithaca.com/main.asp?SectionID=16&SubSectionID=83&ArticleID=8385

[3]http://www.3dcinemation.com/carrowmoor/index.html

[4]http://www.theithacajournal.com/article/20090220/NEWS01/902200317/1002