© Ithaca Builds, 2026
September 18, 2013 // by Jason Henderson
Our upcoming urban micro-retail project has its floor to deck window in-place on the Green Street side now, and there’s been some work on the back wall patching pre-existing block wall penetrations. There’s a render of this project posted back in May showing the future steel-framed glass panels along the garage bays, and new entry doors to the spaces. Accufab is doing the custom metal framing work, so I have no doubt it will look quite polished when complete.
September 18, 2013 // by Jason Henderson
The City of Ithaca has announced a $1.464 million capital project to replace the deck and refurbish the structure of the Lake Street Bridge (the first bridge after Ithaca Falls, behind the high school) with an 80% reimbursement from the Federal Highway Administration, and a 15% reimbursement from the NYS Department of Transportation.
In other civic news, the primary work for the Old Elmira Road complete street project has been delayed until next year.
September 17, 2013 // by Jason Henderson
Finally made it back up to Ithaca College to see Hill Center’s renovations, and it looks like they’re finishing up. This building has significantly turned around- it was already unrecognizable on the outside last time I ran up in August, and now the inside is as well. The finishes look great- they’re using the Parklex exterior facade panels (it’s a high-density stratified timber panel with a hardwood veneer and protective coating), the interior lighting is all new (open ceilings are freshly painted), with hanging panels accenting the hall ceilings, and blue wall panels highlighting the gymnasium entrances. The gymnasium itself is great- super bright, with new bleachers, flooring, and finishes. The blue-tinted glass stair-tower offers a nice view of the campus and lake beyond, and it certainly anchors the building from the outside.
Here are some photos and the original planning documents from July for The Whalen Center for music as well (next door). The exterior of the building is undergoing a similar facade treatment (not Parklex, but Trespa Meteon instead- here’s a snapshot of the variety: Trespa Projects), and the interior seems to be quite fresh, with new paint, flooring, and some new lockers. The cladding design was done by King + King Architects.
Original Planning Proposal:
September 16, 2013 // by Jason Henderson
The elevator tower and stair tower have been formed (and possibly poured.. hard to tell) another level up, and the foundation walls have been wrapped in rigid insulation foam almost all the way around and covered back up with soil. There’s probably also some gravel fill and a footer drain pipe running around the base of the foundation walls as well. The concrete pads look like they’re intended to provide for structural support, and the rest of the interior space will likely be covered in rigid insulation, then poured as a slab.
September 16, 2013 // by Jason Henderson
Just some updated photos of Gates Hall from last week- entryway “feet” are growing. Wonder how heavy those concrete blocks are..
September 12, 2013 // by Jason Henderson
More photos here of the eastern side, taken a couple days ago.
September 12, 2013 // by Jason Henderson
Western curb was put in about a week ago, and now the eastern curb, eastern sidewalk, and most of the new western sidewalk is in place. Next up we should see finished hardscape, decals and pop-up for the lanes and bicycle jug handle, some prep work for running electric service, and the raising of the new traffic light poles.
September 11, 2013 // by Jason Henderson
Work on Building 5 continues with new exterior wall sheathing and wall framing on the third level towards the eastern end, and concrete wrap on the new foundation walls that were just poured less than two weeks ago. The heavy steel frame section contains new steel beams, forming the fourth level and plenum space between the fourth level and future roof. Rebar rods have been placed along the deck of the second level in preparation for a concrete floor, and there’s new metal decking on the levels above.
Forgot to include this link in the previous post, but Hayner Hoyt Corp., the General Contractor for Collegetown Terrace has a few photos on their project page as well: see them here.
September 10, 2013 // by Jason Henderson
In addition to the Klarman Hall project, Goldwin Smith Hall’s roof will be undergoing a replacement at the cost of around $5 million (including some Klarman Hall enabling work). First, the metal and slate material will be removed, then a series of minor geometric changes will be made (from the drawings, it looks like they’re intended to provide better drainage and snow drip to the eave corners, preventing buildup and eventual leakage). The eave and dormer details look about the same, so once the roof is replaced, it will be hard for someone to spot the difference coming back as an alumni.. nothing like what it will be like to look at the East Ave side and see Klarman Hall consuming the former dead space on the eastern side. The roof replacement draft details are embedded below.
September 9, 2013 // by Jason Henderson
Couldn’t resist snapping a few shots today and last Thursday. Much of the eastern facade is now covered in EIFS material, and the gray base coat is making its way around. Three cherry-pickers and a full platform seem to be doing the trick. It’s been great to watch the pace of this project throughout the Summer. The limestone-like color (Lite Cinammon) and dark gray (Antique Gray) at the northeast corner of the facade are two of the final finish-coat colors.
