Ithaca Builds

Mapping, photos and information for Ithaca construction and development projects

Project Updates

Proposed Hampton Inn Downtown Site Photos

June 26, 2013 // by Jason Henderson

I don’t suppose this will be a reality anytime soon, but I was in the area and thought I’d snap a few shots of what these parcels look like now, as the proposed project is “being re-worked”. Ithacating picked up on this in December when it was first proposed, and since then the project has largely fell flat due to criticisms of design character, the Carey Building’s relative historic significance, and the current owners’ ability and/or objections to sell these parcels (the City selling that parking lot would obviously be a major hurdle, since the plan and impact would have to be extensively reviewed).

Seneca Way Site Photos

June 26, 2013 // by Jason Henderson

The street is no longer blocked-off during the day, so the new municipal lines are probably done. More framing progress here, and I grabbed a shot looking down on the project.

Harold’s Square Site Plan Drawings & Logistics

June 25, 2013 // by Jason Henderson

Here’s a revised set of site plan drawings focusing on the project logistics, a plan showing the pedestrian access path, and a letter from Taylor (and memo) detailing some of the points brought up in site plan review. According to the letter, the alley side will see about 95% of the work, staging and deliveries. The foundation work is staged so that the timing will coincide with the completion of utility work on the Commons, an essential deadline for Harold’s Square to start their foundation process. They’re using a Mat Foundation, an ancient technique whereby the structure is primarily supported by a massive continuous layer of footing, in this case, reinforced concrete, poured until complete (see last pdf embed for details). It should be interesting to watch- I’m not sure how many concrete trucks it will take, but I imagine it will be “just in time” lineups for the entire day that this process is scheduled in the project timeline.

City Transportation Comments on Current Projects & Purity Responses

June 25, 2013 // by Jason Henderson

See below- some comments from Tim Logue, the City Transportation Engineer on Harold’s Square, Purity, and 130 East Clinton St. Major concerns pointed out here are: during construction, the Harold’s Square project would be occupying southern portions containing easements for neighboring properties, Purity’s initial planned driveway from Meadow St. is a no-go with the NYSDOT, and 130 East Clinton Street’s possible effect on the new Clinton St. retaining wall.

Here is the response letter from John Snyder Architects on the Purity Project:

130 E Clinton St Additional Renders

June 25, 2013 // by Jason Henderson

A couple of these views have been incorporated in the revised site plan materials, but some have not, so here they are. As Ithacating noted, the design has been altered to look more boxy than before, and the hipped roofs are gone. In addition (to be posted shortly), the planning board has expressed concern about the project’s impact on the newly-installed retaining wall on Clinton St, specifically during construction.

Harold’s Square Historic Context & Project Schedule

June 24, 2013 // by Jason Henderson

Here are some interesting documents for the Harold’s Square project: the first is a letter from Chaintreuil | Jensen | Stark Architects on the historic considerations being made for the development, and the second is the project schedule by Taylor, The Builders (whom I assume is going to be the general contractor). According to this timeline, we’ll see the fence going up this September, and the doors open at the end of April, 2015.

Commons Rebuild Site Photos

June 24, 2013 // by Jason Henderson

Bank Alley’s demolition work has been completed, so now I suppose the careful excavation work goes full steam ahead. There’s currently a complex mass of pipework all over the place; aging gas and water pipe infrastructure, telecom runs, etc. Part of the new design incorporates removable pavers overhead the utility section, so if work needs to be done in the future, it will be more easily accessible (see renders below).

Commons_Repair-Existing

Commons_Repair-Proposed

Maguire Fiat Site Photos

June 23, 2013 // by Jason Henderson

By now it’s hard to tell that this was once GreenTree. All the site debris has been hauled away and we’re left with a nice flat plot as the future site of a trendy-looking Fiat dealership, although from looking around a bit online, I think they will all look the same.

Seneca Way Site Photos

June 23, 2013 // by Jason Henderson

Here’s a new render of this project that was posted on Warren Real Estate’s Facebook Page.

Seneca_Way_Facebook620

 

More framing work is coming along, and it looks as if the new sewer line is just about complete, since the excavation path nearly reaches from Aurora to the project. Good news, since traffic got pretty bad during the day.

Planned Parenthood Site Photos

June 21, 2013 // by Jason Henderson

Looks like they’ve been filling-in the future paved portions with gravel, and rolling the dirt where the building will sit. Definitely a sign of slab on grade foundation. Once it’s flattened-out and settled properly, the footer will be dug out along the edges for the reinforcement bars and deeper concrete fill, then the slab section will be filled with concrete.