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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-12-18 Planning and Economic Development Committee Meeting Agenda                                                                                                                               Ͳ       ȱ ǣ  Žƒ‹‰Ƭ…‘‘‹…‡˜‡Ž‘’‡–‘‹––‡‡ ǣ ‡‰ƒ‹Ž•‘ǡ‡‹‘”Žƒ‡”ǣ ‘˜‡„‡”͹ǡʹͲͳͺǣ  ”‘’‘•ƒŽ–‘‡œ‘‡ƒ‘”–‹‘‘ˆ–Š‡ͳͲͲǦŽ‘…‘ˆ‡•– ”‡‡–”‡‡– ”‡…‡–‘–Š•ǡ•–ƒˆˆŠƒ•„‡‡ƒ’’”‘ƒ…Š‡†„›’”‘’‡”–›‘™‡”•‘ˆ’ƒ”…‡Ž•‹–Š‡ͳͲͲǦ„Ž‘…‘ˆ‡•– ”‡‡–”‡‡–™‹–Šƒ‹–‡”‡•–‹‘’‡‹‰•ƒŽŽ”‡–ƒ‹Ž„—•‹‡••‡•‹–Š‡‹”‡š‹•–‹‰„—‹Ž†‹‰•ǤŠ‡’”‘’‡”–‹‡•ƒ”‡Ž‘…ƒ–‡†‘–Š‡•‘—–Š•‹†‡‘ˆ–Š‡•–”‡‡–‹ƒ•ƒŽŽƒ”‡ƒ‘ˆ–Š‡Ǧͳƒœ‘‹‰†‹•–”‹…–ǡ™Š‹…ŠƒŽŽ‘™•’”‹ƒ”‹Ž›”‡•‹†‡–‹ƒŽ—•‡•™‹–Šƒˆ‡™‘ˆˆ‹…‡ƒ†…‘‡”…‹ƒŽ—•‡•„›•’‡…‹ƒŽ’‡”‹–Ǥ‡–ƒ‹Ž„—•‹‡••‡•ƒ”‡‘–’‡”‹––‡†Ǥˆ–‡” Ž‘‘‹‰ ƒ– –Š‡ •—””‘—†‹‰ ƒ”‡ƒ ƒ† –Š‡ ˜ƒ”‹‘—• œ‘‹‰ ”‡‰—Žƒ–‹‘•ǡ ‹– •‡‡•ƒ’’”‘’”‹ƒ–‡–‘”‡œ‘‡–Š‡•‡–Š”‡‡’ƒ”…‡Ž•ȋͳͳͷǡͳͳͻǡƒ†ͳʹ͵Ǥ ”‡‡–”‡‡–Ǣ…‹”…Ž‡†‹”‡†‘–Š‡ƒ––ƒ…Š‡†ƒ’Ȍ–‘ƒŽŽ‘™”‡–ƒ‹Ž—•‡•ǤŠ‡•‡’”‘’‡”–‹‡•ƒ”‡ƒ†Œƒ…‡––‘ƒǦͳͲͲ†‹•–”‹…–ƒ†ƒ”‡ƒ…”‘••–Š‡•–”‡‡–ˆ”‘ƒǦͺͷ†‹•–”‹…–ǤŠ‡ƒ”‡ƒŠƒ•ƒ•–”‘‰…‘‡”…‹ƒŽ…Šƒ”ƒ…–‡”ǡƒ†–Š‡”‡–ƒ‹Ž‡˜‹”‘‡–…‘–‹—‡•–‘„‡‡Šƒ…‡†™‹–Š–Š‡ƒ††‹–‹‘‘ˆ”‡••ƒ›‘—”–‘–Š‡‘’’‘•‹–‡•‹†‡‘ˆ–Š‡•–”‡‡–ǤŠ‡•‡’”‘’‡”–‹‡•…‘—Ž†…‡”–ƒ‹Ž›„‡…‘•‹†‡”‡†’ƒ”–‘ˆ–Š‡‘™–‘™ǡ„—–‹–‹•ƒŽ•‘‹’‘”–ƒ––‘‘–‡–Šƒ––Š‡›ƒ”‡’ƒ”–‘ˆ–Š‡ ‡”›–Ǥ ‘Š ‹•–‘”‹…‹•–”‹…–ƒ†ƒ”‡Ž‘…ƒ–‡†‡ƒ””‡•‹†‡–‹ƒŽ—•‡•Ǥ‹–Š–Š‹•‹‹†ǡ•–ƒˆˆ”‡…‘‡†•–Šƒ–ͳͳͷǡͳͳͻǡƒ†ͳʹ͵‡•– ”‡‡–”‡‡–„‡”‡œ‘‡†–‘Ǧʹ†ǤŠ‡‡™œ‘‹‰†‡•‹‰ƒ–‹‘™‘—Ž†ƒŽŽ‘™ ƒ› ‘ˆ –Š‡ …—””‡–Ž› ƒŽŽ‘™‡† —•‡• ‘–‡† ƒ„‘˜‡ ƒ• ™‡ŽŽ ƒ• ‘ˆˆ‹…‡ ƒ† ”‡–ƒ‹ŽǤ  Š‡ƒš‹— ƒŽŽ‘™ƒ„Ž‡ „—‹Ž†‹‰ Š‡‹‰Š– ™‘—Ž† ”‡ƒ‹ ͶͲǯǡ ƒ†ƒ› ‡š–‡”‹‘” ƒŽ–‡”ƒ–‹‘• ‘”ƒ††‹–‹‘• —•– „‡ ”‡˜‹‡™‡† „› –Š‡ –Šƒ…ƒ ƒ†ƒ”•”‡•‡”˜ƒ–‹‘ ‘‹••‹‘Ǥ  Š‡’”‘’‘•‡† ”‡œ‘‹‰ ‹• …‘•‹•–‡– ™‹–Š ƒ† –Š‡ †”ƒˆ– Ǥ–ƒˆˆ™‹ŽŽƒ––‡†–Š‡‘˜‡„‡”ͳͶ–ŠŽƒ‹‰Ƭ…‘‘‹…‡˜‡Ž‘’‡–‘‹––‡‡‡‡–‹‰–‘ƒ•™‡”ƒ›“—‡•–‹‘•ƒ†•‡‡ƒ’’”‘˜ƒŽ–‘†”ƒˆ–ƒ†…‹”…—Žƒ–‡ƒ‘”†‹ƒ…‡–‘‹’Ž‡‡––Š‹•”‡œ‘‹‰’”‘’‘•ƒŽǤ ˆ›‘—Šƒ˜‡ƒ›“—‡•–‹‘•’”‹‘”–‘–Š‡‡‡–‹‰ǡ’Ž‡ƒ•‡ˆ‡‡Žˆ”‡‡–‘…‘–ƒ…–‡ƒ–™‹Ž•‘̷…‹–›‘ˆ‹–Šƒ…ƒǤ‘”‰‘”ʹ͹ͶǦ͸ͷ͸ͲǤ 3DUW3URMHFW,QIRUPDWLRQ    1BHFPG  †††† ††† †† †† 1BHFPG $JHQF\8VH2QO\>,IDSSOLFDEOH@ 3URMHFW 'DWH 6KRUW(QYLURQPHQWDO$VVHVVPHQW)RUP 3DUW,PSDFW$VVHVVPHQW LVWREHFRPSOHWHGE\WKH/HDG$JHQF\ 4IPSU&OWJSPONFOUBM"TTFTTNFOU'PSN 1BSU%FUFSNJOBUJPOPG4JHOJGJDBODF "HFODZ6TF0OMZ<*GBQQMJDBCMF> 1SPKFDU %BUF ILPC Meeting – 11/13/18 Resolution - RB RE: Local Historic Landmark Designation of the former Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Station at 701 West Seneca Street RESOLUTION: WHEREAS, as set forth in Section 228-3 of the Municipal Code, the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission (ILPC) may recommend the designation of historic landmarks and districts of historic and cultural significance, and WHEREAS, a public hearing held on Tuesday, November 13, 2018, for the purpose of considering a proposal to designate the former Delaware, Lackawanna & Western (D.L.&W.) Railroad Station at 701 West Seneca Street as a City of Ithaca landmark has been concluded, and WHEREAS, the ILPC has reviewed the New York State Building-Structure Inventory Form dated September 1, 2002, including the Narrative Description of Property and the Narrative Description of Significance prepared by Maria K. Meiser, and WHEREAS, the designation of historic landmarks is a "Type II Action" under the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (Sec. 617.5(C)(30) and an "Unlisted Action" under the City Environmental Quality Review Ordinance, (CEQR Sec. 176-2) for which no further environmental review is required, and WHEREAS, consideration of the former D.L.&W. Railroad Station as an historic resource was recommended by the Waterfront Working Group in a resolution dated August 24, 2018, and WHEREAS, the Waterfront Working Group’s resolution (attached) states “the former Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Station at 701 West Seneca Street was identified as [a resource that might have historical or architectural value] and the consideration of its local designation is included as a recommendation in the draft plan,” and WHEREAS, Section 228-3 of the Municipal Code defines the criteria for designation of an individual landmark as follows: 1. Possesses special character or historic or aesthetic interest or value as part of the cultural, political, economic, or social history of the locality, region, state, or nation; or 2. Is identified with historically significant person(s) or event(s); or 3. Embodies the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style; or 4. Is the work of a designer whose work has significantly influenced an age; or 5. Represents an established and familiar visual feature of the community by virtue of its unique location or singular physical characteristics. Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission Meeting Held Tuesday, November 13, 2018 Former Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Station RESOLVED, that the Commission adopts as its own the documentation and information more fully set forth in the expanded New York State Building-Structure Inventory Form dated September 1, 2002, and be it further RESOLVED, that the Commission has made the following findings of fact concerning the proposed designation. As described in the Narrative Description of Significance portion of the New York State Building-Structure Inventory Form prepared by Maria K. Meiser and dated September 1, 2002, the former Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Station is a structure deemed worthy of preservation by reason of its value to the city as enumerated below: Per criterion 1, the former D.L.&W. Railroad Station possesses special historical and aesthetic interest as a part of the development, heritage and cultural characteristics of the City of Ithaca as an intact remnant of a historically significant era of railroad transportation in Ithaca. As noted in the Building-Structure Inventory Form, the D.L.&W. Railroad Company shifted its focus from the transportation of regionally-mined anthracite coal to passenger service in the early-twentieth century. This shift resulted in extensive changes and improvements along the railroad line, including standardized tracks, increased safety through the installation of new signaling devices, modernized trains and stations, and hundreds of miles of new track. Led by William Truesdale, the President of the D.L.&W. Railroad Company between 1899 and 1925, this expansive campaign to modernize the line was one of the most ambitious of the era and resulted in the construction of 185 new train stations and freight depots and the installation of over 900 miles of new railroad track. The former D.L.&W. Railroad Station in Ithaca was constructed as part of this campaign and was specifically designed to provide an impressive gateway into the community and to meet the needs of the rapidly expanding Cornell student population. New stations were also built along the mainlines to Buffalo and Syracuse, as well as in Cortland, Owego, Whitney Point and Minetto. The improvements to the D.L.&W. passenger line during this period improved connections to Ithaca from other metropolitan areas and helped secure its status a major regional hub. Per criterion 3, the former D.L.&W. Railroad Station embodies the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style. The railroad station is an excellent, and likely only, local example of the Prairie Style. As noted in the Building-Structure Inventory Form, the Prairie Style developed in Chicago and became popular during the first two decades of Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission Meeting Held Tuesday, November 13, 2018 Former Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Station the twentieth century. Typical features of this architectural style include: symmetrical, often square or rectangular, heavy massing with a strong emphasis on horizontality; low-pitched, generally hipped roofs with wide eaves; and multi-paned, casement windows and doors. The massing, roof form and fenestration of the former D.L.&W. Railroad Station reflect these important characteristics of the Prairie Style. The one-story, rectangular, brick station is capped by a low-pitched, hipped roof with wide overhanging eaves, creating a sheltered area along all sides of the building. The horizontality of the brick building is emphasized by a water table and belt course in a contrasting, light-colored cast stone material and a brick soldier course along the tops of the doors and windows. The building’s paired casement windows with triple-light transoms are also indicative of this style. The building gains additional architectural significance from its architectural references to Cornell University and Ithaca as a “college city.” Red, white, and green Rookwood tile mosaics on the interior and exterior of the building form small pennants that were intended to reflect the collegiate character of the community. The property’s original “Cornell flagpole” also referenced the university’s colors. Per criterion 4, the former D.L.&W. Railroad Station is the work of a designer whose work has significantly influenced an age. As noted in the Building- Structure Inventory Form, the railroad station is characteristic example of the work of Frank J. Nies, the official architect of the D.L.&W. Railroad Company between 1899 and 1925. As noted in the Building-Structure Inventory Form, Frank J. Nies was a Hoboken-based architect who designed numerous railroad stations and buildings in New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey for the D.L.&W. Railroad Company between 1899 and 1925. While Nies designed buildings in several styles, the small passenger stations he designed for the D.L.&W. Railroad Company are characterized by their distinct Priarie Style, an architectural mode that became increasingly popular during his tenure with the company. Examples of his work throughout the region exhibit a low, elongated massing typical of the Prairie Style and detailing borrowed of the Renaissance Revival and Arts and Crafts models. His major works include train terminals in Newark, Morristown and Boonton, New Jersey, and Scranton, Pennsylvania, and small passenger stations in communities throughout New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. RESOLVED, that the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission, determines that based on the findings set forth above, the former Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Station meets criteria 1, 3 and 4 defining a Local Landmark as set forth in Section 228- 3 of the Municipal Code, Landmarks Preservation, and be it further Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission Meeting Held Tuesday, November 13, 2018 Former Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Station RESOLVED, that the Commission hereby recommends the designation of the former Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Station at 701 West Seneca Street, and the adjacent areas identified as tax parcel #73.-5-2.1, as a City of Ithaca landmark. RECORD OF VOTE: Moved by: K. Olson Seconded by: D. Kramer In favor: K. Olson, D. Kramer, S. Stein, E. Finegan, A. Smith, S. Gibian, M.M. McDonald Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 0 Vacancies: 0 212 Center St. Ithaca, NY HistoricIthaca.org (607) 273-6633 August 24, 2018 Waterfront Working Group WHEREAS, the Waterfront Working Group was established to develop an area plan for the waterfront study area, with the specific charge to “outline desired land uses for the waterfront area” and “address issues related to a broad range of topics,” and WHEREAS, as part of the execution of this charge, the group has reviewed the topic of historic preservation as it relates to the study area and found the preservation of significant historic resources an important part of the land use plan for the study area, and WHEREAS, the group has identified a few resources that might have historical or architectural value and has incorporated a list of these “historic resources worthy of further research” into the draft plan for the area, and WHEREAS, the former Delaware, Lackawanna & Western (DL&W) Railroad Station at 701 West Seneca Street was identified as one of these resources and the consideration of its local designation is included as a recommendation in the draft plan, and WHEREAS, recent programmatic changes at the former DL&W Railroad Station could result in physical changes to this potentially historic resource in the near future and before the adoption of the draft plan by Common Council, and RESOLVED, The Waterfront Working Group requests that the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission review the New York State Historic Structure Inventory Form for the former Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Station at 701 West State Street to determine if this resource meets criteria for local designation, and be it further RESOLVED, that, if the resource does meet criteria for local designation enumerated in Section 228-3 of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code, the Waterfront Working Group supports and encourages the local designation of the former DL&W Railroad Station as an individual local landmark and encourages the ILPC to make a recommendation to Common Council to designate the resource as such. Moved by: Laura Lewis Seconded by: McKenzie Jones In Favor: passes unanimously Steve Flash, Laura Lewis, Steve Flash, McKenzie jones, Sam Buggelin, George McGonigal, Cheryl Barton, Patrice Lockert-Anthony LOCAL PROPERTY TAX INCENTIVES FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION In July 1997, five years after Historic Ithaca, Inc., Tompkins County’s non-profit historic preservation organization, began working to achieve such a program, Governor George Pataki signed into law a bill permitting local property tax abatements for owners who invest in the rehabilitation of a locally designated historic structure. Ithaca became the first city in New York State to offer such incentives when Common Council voted to adopt the program in December 1997. How does the incentive work? In brief, the tax abatement program allows property owners to increase the value of their buildings through investment in repairs and renovation without suffering an immediate increase in local property taxes as a result. The program provides for a ten-year window of tax relief following the substantial rehabilitation of a structure. For the first five years after completion of the project, local property taxes do not increase, except as they may be increased on a city-wide basis, regardless of the additional value of the property resulting from the project. In the sixth year, only 20% of the full value of the increase is added to the pre-project tax amount. In the seventh year, 40% of the increase is added, and so on, until the full value of the property is again taxed in the tenth year after completion of the project. Who is eligible? Anyone who owns a locally designated historic structure and pays property tax in the City of Ithaca may utilize this program. Locally designated historic structures include individually designated landmark buildings as well as “contributing” buildings in Ithaca’s local historic districts: DeWitt Park, East Hill, Cornell Heights, University Hill, Henry St. John, Downtown West and the Clinton Block. To find out if your property is eligible, contact Bryan McCracken in the Department of Planning & Development: bmccracken@cityofithaca.org What projects are eligible? The proposed project must be approved by the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission (ILPC) prior to the commencement of work and must be for purposes of historic preservation. In addition, the proposed work must meet one of the following requirements: Only work on the exterior of the building is involved; or Work on a designated historic interior which is open to the public is involved; or At least 20% of the total cost of the project is directly attributable to exterior work, and/or work that enhances the structural stability or integrity of the property; or The project returns to use a building which has been vacant for at least two years. Additional restrictions apply to projects involving the conversion of a single-family home or duplex into a multiple dwelling. Contact Bryan McCracken for more information. (over) How do I apply? Before proceeding, contact Bryan McCracken in the Department of Planning & Development, City Hall, to discuss your project, obtain an application, and schedule a date for ILPC review. You will also need to schedule a consultation with a representative at the Tompkins County Department of Assessment, 128 East Buffalo Street, Ithaca, NY. Properties undergoing rehabilitation, which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places or are located in a Certified Local Historic District may be eligible for a Federal and/or State tax credit in addition to the local property tax abatement. More information on these programs is available from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation Field Services Bureau. For More Information: Bryan McCracken, Historic Preservation Planner Department of Planning & Development City Hall – 3rd Floor 108 East Green Street Ithaca, NY 14850 bmccracken@cityofithaca.org Tompkins County Department of Assessment 128 East Buffalo Street Ithaca, NY 14850 Phone: 607-274-5517 Historic Preservation Field Services Bureau New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation Peebles Island P.O. Box 189 Waterford, NY 12188-0189 Phone: 518-237-8643 Above: The former C.W. Snow Warehouse in Syracuse was an under-used industrial building before being adapted for commercial space and 48 loft apartments with the help of investment tax credits. Below: The former Nurses’ Residence at Sea View Hospital on Staten Island used a variety of funding sources, including investment tax credits, to adapt the complex for affordable senior housing. D IVISION FOR H ISTORIC P RESERVATION NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF PARKS, RECREATION AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION WWW.NYSPARKS.COM ‘ 518.237.8643 Ͳ   Ͳ      Ͳ   Ͳ    Historic preservation tax credit programs can help offset the cost of rehabilitating historic buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (Buildings can be listed during or after the rehabilita- tion project.) The SHPO can assist you with getting one or more of the five his- toric preservation tax credits. A preserva- tion tax credit is a percentage of rehabili- tation expenditures subtracted from the amount of state and federal income taxes owed. (Under the NYS program, this can be a tax refund.) It is very important that you contact SHPO before plans are drawn and especially before any construc- tion work begins. To begin the process, contact the SHPO office at 518-237-8643, or visit: www.nysparks.state.ny.us/shpo/state/ map.htm. In August 2010, the NYS Legis- lature made changes to the tax credits. For updates to the program, visit our website: www.nysparks.state.ny.us/shpo/. Note: For programs marked “*” the work performed must meet Secretary of Interior Standards, and must be approved by the SHPO and/or the National Park Service.   The Tax Reform Act of 1986 allows a 20% tax credit for the rehabilitation of historic buildings. Owners of historic commercial, office, industrial or rental residential build- ings may be eligible for a 20% federal in- come tax credit for substantial rehabilita- tion projects. The final dollar amount is based on the cost of the rehabilitation; in effect 20% of the qualifying rehabilitation costs will be borne by the federal govern- ment. Buildings must be: xIncome-producing, and xIndividually listed on the State or National Register of Historic Places, or a contributing building in a historic district that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places or certified by the National Park Service. The preservation credit can be used in con- junction with other state and federal reha- bilitation grants for housing or facade work such as the Low Income Housing Tax Credits. (Note: The final credit amount will be reduced when these additional sources are combined.) For more information, visit: www.nps.gov/ history/hps/tps/tax/brochure1.htm#10_20    Projects qualifying for the 20% Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentive Pro- gram are automatically eligible for this credit. Owners can receive 20% of the qualified rehabilitation costs, up to a credit value of $5,000,000. For more informa- tion, see: www.nysparks.com/shpo/ investment/income.htm. Continued    INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT PROGRAMS FINANCIAL INCENTIVES FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROJECTS  A 10% federal income tax credit is available for the rehabilitation of non- historic buildings for non-residential use. Buildings must be: xIncome-producing, and xNot listed in the National Register, or not listed as a contributing building in a National Register Historic District, and xFirst placed in service before 1936. For more information: www.nps.gov/ history/hps/tps/tax/brochure1.htm#10.    Buildings must be located in a census tract designated as economically “distressed.” Qualified rehabilitation costs must exceed $5,000. The credit will cover 20% of qualified rehabilita- tion costs up to a limit of $50,000. Houses must also be: xOwner-occupied structures, and xIndividually listed on the State or National Register of Historic Places, or a contributing building in an historic district that is listed in the State or National Register of Historic Places. SHPO staff can help with further in- formation about eligible census tracts and the program in general. See the website listed at the end.  The income tax credit is equal to 25% of the cost of rehabilitating historic barns. Work cannot “materially alter the historic appearance” of the barn which must be: xIncome-producing for agricultural purposes, and xPlaced in service before 1936. For more information about barn cred- its, contact the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance at 800-225-5829.   National Register of Historic Places: www.nysparks.com/shpo/register/ Publications on technical preservation issues: www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/ topics/index.htm Federal Tax credit programs: www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/tax/ index.htm Applications and whether a property qualifies: www.nysparks.com/shpo/tax- credit-programs/ Above: Financial assistance from investment tax credits helped owners to undertake substantial exterior repairs on this 1941 New York City apartment building. Below: This commercial and residential building in Newburgh was a burned out shell before it was rescued with the help of the federal historic rehabilitation tax credit program. Below right: The Philipsburgh Hall tax credit project in Yonkers included the restoration of the ballroom. Both the ITC and Low Income Housing tax credits were used for the remarkable transformation of 24 brick townhouses in Albany. The buildings had been subdivided and neglected until the entire row was threatened with demolition. In addition, one individual property owner took advantage of the Historic Homeowners Rehabilitation tax credit. Staff helped to list these properties on the National Register so that they would quality for tax credits.      Ͳ   Ͳ Ͳ   This material has been financed in part with Federal funds from the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. However, the contents and opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of the Interior This project has been administered by the Field Services Bureau, Division for Historic Preservation, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. This bureau receives Federal funds from the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. Regulations of the U.S. Department of the Interior strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination in departmental Federally Assisted Programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, or handicap. Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility operated by a recipient of Federal assistance should write to: Director, Equal Opportunity Program, U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, P.O. Box 37127, Washington, D.C. 20012-7127. 8/11 RECORD OF VOTE: Moved by: 0 Seconded: 0 In favor: 0 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 0 Vacancies: 0 212 Center St. Ithaca, NY HistoricIthaca.org (607) 273-6633 TO: Planning & Economic Development Committee FROM: Alexander Phillips, Planner DATE: November 7, 2018 RE: NIIF: West Lewis Street Block Party Attached is an application for the Neighborhood Improvement Incentive Fund (NIIF) from Victoria Armstrong, on behalf of West Lewis Street Neighbors, for the group’s West Lewis Street ‘Get to Know You’ Block Party. The event was held on October 27th, 2018 and brought area residents together for food, drink and seasonal activities. This event was held to welcome the new residents who recently moved into the neighborhood and intended to promote a sense of community within the neighborhood. In past years, the Neighborhood Improvement Incentive Fund has supported celebrations in many city neighborhoods that focus attention on neighborhood empowerment and solidarity. Expenditures related to this event include food for the block party, which meets criteria for reimbursement. West Lewis Street Neighbors members donated their time for event planning, promotion of the celebration, set up, food preparation, and clean up. By putting together this event on behalf of the neighborhood, the residents are furthering the aims of the fund to support initiatives that strengthen city neighborhoods.                                Ͳ Ͳ   Ͳ