© Ithaca Builds, 2026
August 27, 2013 // by Jason Henderson
This one took me by surprise- the [concrete?] entryway pieces are actually pre-fabricated, as you can see the different pieces here that came off a pallet, and have been lowered into place. This is just the very beginning of a large installation on the western side. Not much else has visibly changed on the exterior, but you can take a peek at a few photos of the raw interior here: Image Gallery | Gates Hall.
August 26, 2013 // by Jason Henderson
The Planned Parenthood site has begun pouring the foundation walls that began formation late last month, and if the rain holds for a while, will probably finish this out soon. The neighboring site, Iacovelli Apartments indicated that poor soil quality contributed to their decision to pour a foundation that finishes above grade, but it doesn’t look like this site will go that route. Here’s the final design by Chiang O’Brien Architects, posted back in May: Planned Parenthood Site Plans
August 24, 2013 // by Jason Henderson
Building 5 is set to have its last section of foundation poured-in, as you can see from the form wall at the end. There’s new steel decking on the second level, and portions of the siding have been sheathed.
August 23, 2013 // by Jason Henderson
Breckenridge’s windows are coming along, not much else to notice on the exterior, as I imagine now the interior has become the main focus in order to be ready for early 2014 leases. I think the Fall 2013 finish has been ruled-out.
August 22, 2013 // by Jason Henderson
Apologies for the spectacularly bad photos here, however, the State and Mitchell Intersection has begun work, as the Ithaca Journal noted a few days ago. Just in time for students coming back, so hopefully the traffic flow will be well-directed.
August 22, 2013 // by Jason Henderson
Here are some additional plan materials that will be presented at the next Planning Board meeting on the 27th. These do a good job of showing the cross-section views of the slope and retaining walls, as well as an erosion and sediment control plan for the demolition and construction phase, and the stabilization phase. There are also updated detail drawings on the landscaping, and additional elevations and site sections.
August 22, 2013 // by Jason Henderson
Seneca Way‘s sixth floor has its exterior walls framed-in now, and there’s been significant progress on installing windows and some paint coating the exterior, probably a waterproofing compound. The project’s website looks like it has launched, and contains information about amenities, and nice new floor plan images. The apartments themselves are without a doubt going to be premium in the Ithaca market, and the stock photos on the site clearly tend toward the mature crowd. I’m sure pre-leasing of the apartments has already begun, as the office space is fully-spoken for (Park Foundation and Warren Real Estate).
August 20, 2013 // by Jason Henderson
As we roll towards 2014, I couldn’t help myself from digging-up the original Ithaca Commons (then the “Ithaca Mall”) plans done by Anton J. Egner & Associates back in 1974. It’s hard to imagine Ithaca without the Commons; it’s an enduring icon of our downtown, and I think it’s unlikely to ever revert back to a street serving automobiles. Just as Ithaca has experienced over some recent years, pedestrian malls in many towns have tended towards decline, but changing urban demographics are reversing this trend, as younger and even older generations flock towards more urban areas offering a walkable lifestyle. I can’t help but think this is a positive trend, due to the inherent economic efficiencies found in urban areas.
Pedestrian malls are much like town squares, plazas, or piazzas in function. They provide a necessary open public space for events and public assemblies. You could think of the town square as the oldest idea in urban planning, essentially pre-dating written history, when villagers arranged tents or huts in a fashion as to allow for a central open space to gather around a fire to stay warm. The modern versions in urban areas are significantly different in appearance and amenity, but not so different in the fact that they still function as a societal center or heart. People play music, display or make art, gather, speak, rest, eat, shop… it may not have a campfire or huts, but the idea hasn’t changed- it has adapted to the modern context.
So I hope you enjoy browsing these images, and if you’re interested in the full as-built set, you can download them here. Stay warm.
August 20, 2013 // by Jason Henderson
Benderson Development is proposing a 14,744 SF retail expansion next door to where Hobby Lobby is going in (adjacent to Staples). The existing parking lot would stay just about the same, albeit some curb refitting, and there has been no disclosure of a prospective tenant. The previous semi-structure there before was the garden center for K-Mart, which closed back in 2011.
August 20, 2013 // by Jason Henderson
Harold’s Square released some revised drawings here for review at the next Planning Board meeting on the 27th. I don’t spot too much difference, besides some minor changes in the separation of retail spaces on the ground floor (now it just shows it wide open), and the southern hallways and atrium spaces. The previous post with the project schedule shows structural demolition beginning two months from now, so we’re closing-in on some planned start dates.
The Draft FEAF is citing a start in Spring 2014 though, which seems more likely: