HomeMy WebLinkAbout710 West State Street - Current Greyhound Bus Station °o�I • ��, CITY OF ITHACA
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108 East Green Street — 3rd Floor Ithaca, New York 14850-5690
(,1 FRO
$ �` ` DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
H. MATTHYS VAN CORT. DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
DOUGLAS B. McDONALD, DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
JOANN CORNISH. DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF PL-kNNING & DEVELOPMENT
Telephone: Planning & Development - 60--2-4-6550 Community Development.1CR1 -
Email: planning a cirsofithaca.org Email: iura!n cin'ohthaca.org
Fax: 00'-274-6558 ax: 60--274-65c8
November 18, 2002 'I' 14/CFO c—
Mr. R. James Miller
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True,_ Walsh & Miller, LLP Occ,
202 East State Street. Seventh Floor
Ithaca,NY 14850 S. a S
RE: 710 West State Street, Former Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad
Station, (now the Greyhound Bus Station), and Delta Kappa Epsilon
Fraternity Lodge at 13 South Avenue,(known as Deke House)
Dear Mr. Miller:
At a special meeting to be held on December 5, 2002, the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation
Commission (ILPC)will hold a public hearing to consider two local landmark
designations:
(1) the former Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Station at 710 West State
Street, (currently the Greyhound Bus Station.). The boundary of the area proposed
for designation is is drawn three feet from the furthest projecting element of the
building on the easterly, westerly and southerly facades and on the north façade at the
furthest projecting element.
(2) the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity Lodge, 13 South Avenue, (known as Deke
House). The boundary of the area proposed for designation and tax parcel # 31.-1-10
are coterminous.
The meeting will be held in the Common Council Chambers, City Hall. 108 East Green
Street, Ithaca. All interested parties are invited to speak for or against the designation at
the hearing, in person, by representative, or-by written statement submitted to the ILPC
secretary. The Commission's role is to determine whether these properties melt
criteria for local landmark designation, set forth in the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation
Ordinance as follows:
A. An outstanding example of a structure or memorial representative of its era, either
past or present.
B. One of the few remaining examples of a past architectural style or combination of
styles.
"An Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to workforce diversification."
C. A place where an historical event of significance to the city. region, state or nation or
representative activity of a past era took place or any structure, memorial, or site
which has a special character, special historical and aesthetic interest and value a part
of the development, heritage and cultural characteristics of the City of Ithaca,
including sites of natural or ecological interest.
Local landmark designation will physically preserve this historic resource and its exterior
identifying visual characteristics. The Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Ordinance
provides that any proposed exterior alteration of a designated historic building or its site
be reviewed and approved by the City's Landmarks Preservation Commission prior to the
issuance of a building permit. Demolition is prohibited unless the Commission finds that:
(a) In the case of commercial property, that prohibition of demolition prevents the owner
of the property from earning a reasonable return; or
(b) In the case of non-commercial property, all of the following
[1] That the preservation of the structure will seriously interfere with the use of the
property.
[2] That the structure is not capable of conversion to a useful purpose without
excessive costs
[3] That the cost of maintaining the structure without use would entail serious
expenditure, all in the light of the purposes and resources of the owner.
Owners of property designated under the Landmarks Preservation Ordinance are also
eligible for a tax abatement on any increase to property assessment resulting from
investment in rehabilitation. Requirements and restrictions are enumerated in Section
300-20 of the Municipal Code, City Ordinance 97-13 entitled Tax Exemptions
I have attached a map, the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Ordinance, and summaries
outlining the historic and architectural significance of the buildings. Full documentation
of the historic and architectural significance of the properties is available for public
review at the C
ity of Ithaca Department of Planning & Development, 3rd floor, City Hall,
108 East Green Street, Ithaca.
Immediately following the hearing, or at a later, properly noticed meeting, the ILPC will
decide by resolution whether or not to designate this property. Should the Commission
vote to designate, the Board of Planning and Development will be asked to file a report to
the Common Council with respect to relation of the designation with the master plan, the
zoning laws, projected public improvements and any plans for renewal of the site or area
involved. The Common Council must then act to approve, veto or refer the
recommendation back to the ILPC for modification.
Your comment on the proposed designation is welcome. Please contact me at 374-6550
if I can provide further information or assistance.
Sincerely,
teA-/D7'1---
Leslie A. Chatterton
Secretary, ILPC
xc: Mayor Alan J. Cohen
H.M. Van Con. Director Planning & Development
ILPC Members
Common Council
Board of Planning &Development
Noiina Schwab, City Attorney
Julie Holcomb, City Clerk