HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-1998-09-14COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Special Meeting 9:00 P.M. September 14, 1998
PRESENT:
Mayor Cohen
Alderpersons (7) Shenk, Sams, Vaughan, Marcham,
Hershey, Taylor, Blumenthal
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Clerk – Conley Holcomb
EXCUSED:
Alderpersons (3) Manos, Farrell, Spielholz
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Cohen led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the
American flag.
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS
2.1 Discussion of Woolworth Building and County Library -
Possible Resolution
WHEREAS, in October 1997 the Woolworth Corporation vacated the
building in downtown Ithaca where they had successfully operated for
about 30 years, and
WHEREAS, the Woolworth building, located at the prime location of
Green and Cayuga Streets, has remained vacant since that time, and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca would like to see the building occupied
rather than vacant, and the site redeveloped for a multi-story,
mixed-used structure, and
WHEREAS, the City, building owner David Abbott, the Ithaca Downtown
Partnership, the Woolworth Corporation, and regional development
companies have each individually searched for a retailer or group of
retailers to occupy the Woolworth building, and
WHEREAS, the feasibility of adding more stories to the existing
structure or building above the existing structure were explored and
determined not to be feasible, and
WHEREAS, the Common Council understands that there is a national
trend for large general merchandise and department stores to move
out of downtown areas, often requiring cities to seek non-retail
enterprises as downtown anchors to maintain a high level of activity
and vitality, and
WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Library Improvement Committee has
recommended that the Tompkins County Library move in order to
improve library services and that the best location for expansion of
the library would be the Woolworth building, and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca places great value in keeping the
library easily accessible to city residents and recognizes that an
enlarged library facility offering enhanced services would increase
library patronage downtown, not only by generating more foot-traffic
but also by positively filling a prominent vacant space downtown,
and
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September 14, 1998
WHEREAS, it would be most desirable for the Woolworth parcel to be
redeveloped with a multi-story, multi-use structure with a mix of
public and private uses, including some combination of: the library
(possibly on the second floor), a general merchandise tenant or an
aggregation of smaller retailers in order to provide retail products
to the downtown residential and office communities; Class A office
space to attract additional businesses downtown; and/or housing
units to further strengthen the downtown’s residential sector, and
WHEREAS, a brief study of building an entirely new mixed-use
structure was done but additional information is desired to further
determine the feasibility of this idea, now therefore be it,
RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca wishes to further explore the
possible options for the development of a new multi-story, mixed-
used building consisting of the library along with other residential
and/or commercial uses, such as retail stores and offices, and be it
further,
RESOLVED, That the City of Ithaca supports the Library Improvement
Committee's recommendation to relocate the library into the
Woolworth building if such relocation is part of a multi-story,
multi-use development, or as a single-story, single-use facility if
the City is unable to develop a plan for multi-story, multi-use
development within 6 months, and be it further resolved,
RESOLVED, That the City will take the lead role in exploring this
option for six months and that costs to the County will not exceed
current projected expenditures, which is the cost of renovations and
improvements for the library to locate in the existing Woolworth
building, and be it further,
RESOLVED, That the City will work with the County and the Ithaca
Downtown Partnership to strengthen the central business district by
developing plans to increase retail activity along the Green Street
corridor, by improving pedestrian access between the Green Street
corridor and The Ithaca Commons, and by studying the options for
further improvements to Green Street and the City-owned land
surrounding the Woolworth Building, and be it further,
RESOLVED, That if the Woolworth building is selected as a new
library site, Common Council requests that the County include City
representatives on the library design committee to maximize the
facility’s integration into the downtown community.
Alderperson Shenk asked to add wording to the last Resolved phrase
regarding a partnership between the City and the County to encourage
development on the Woolworth Site.
Alderperson Blumenthal suggested including the Ithaca Downtown
Partnership to that phrase.
Mayor Cohen reminded Council of other items that have been
identified such as the location of the entrance to the library.
Alderperson Blumenthal stated she believed representatives from the
City should serve on any committee regarding the design of the
building or other concerns.
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September 14, 1998
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the location of the main
entrance to the library building, public perceptions, the lack of
written reports, and the information needed for Common Council
consideration.
Alderperson Hershey suggested an amendment stating that the County
should do all it can to maximize benefits to downtown in terms of
design, traffic pattern, and programming.
Alderperson Shenk suggested the language be added into the existing
resolution.
Alderperson Sams stated that she would like a report on the list of
businesses that have been approached for retail development.
Mayor Cohen stated he believes Council cannot vote on this
legislation tonight without additional information.
Alderperson Blumenthal noted the Library would create foot traffic
to downtown stores.
Alderperson Marcham stated that she is reluctant to say that the
City strongly supports the Library. She further stated that Common
Council does not have the amount of information that the Library
Committee has on this project.
Alderperson Vaughan stated that this is an excellent second choice
to retail development.
Alderperson Taylor noted she would like a long and short-term plan
from the Ithaca Downtown Partnership on their plans for Downtown.
Alderperson Shenk stated that the wording in the resolution
could be condensed to state what has been tried, and what
efforts have been made.
Alderperson Blumenthal noted that Doug Pessefall, Executive
Director, Ithaca Downtown Partnership (IDP), would make a
presentation at the October Common Council meeting regarding the
IDP’s plans. She stated that there has been poor planning of the
project, and little City involvement. She further noted the
deep division within the community regarding this project.
Alderperson Taylor asked what would happen to the existing
library building on Cayuga Street.
Mayor Cohen stated that the Park Foundation donated money to
improve the Woolworth building because they wanted the Library
accessible to pedestrians in the downtown community.
Nancy Schuler, Tompkins County Board of Representatives, stated
that a report will be forthcoming on the existing building and
future viable uses.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding what committees have
been established to work on this project.
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September 14, 1998
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 9:50 P.M.
________________________ _______________________
Julie Conley Holcomb, CMC Alan J. Cohen,
City Clerk Mayor