IURA Economic Deve. Commmittee

The Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (IURA) Economic Development Committee met on November 11, 2026. The main discussion concerned redevelopment of the closed Seneca Street garage and a proposed request for information (RFI). Public commenters—including downtown business and tourism representatives—urged the committee to delay the RFI until a comprehensive parking study and further public engagement could inform redevelopment requirements. Committee members and staff discussed ongoing work on a downtown parking strategy, the city’s limited capacity to finance a new garage (estimated at about $30 million), and the possibility of evaluating proposals partly on public parking and economic impact. The transcript does not clearly capture the final vote on the Seneca RFI. No construction contract or developer award was made.

The committee also considered the Dryden Road garage redevelopment. Staff described a proposed 175-room hotel with public parking, and explained that a property disposition would require further terms, public disclosure, a hearing, and Common Council action. The committee approved a motion concerning acceptance of the property transfer, with the vote recorded as 4–0; a separate motion to designate a qualified and eligible sponsor was introduced, but its outcome is unclear in the transcript. Members were invited to submit written comments on a draft disposition and development agreement ahead of further consideration in December. Staff also reported that the state-side contracting issue delaying the Downtown Revitalization Initiative had been resolved, with a one-month schedule delay and more than 30 projects submitted for review; some grant-funded projects remained dependent on pending funding applications.