TO: Tompkins County Legislature

FROM: City of Ithaca Planning and Development Board

Date: June 30, 2015

RE: Support for the Franklin Properties / STREAM Collaborative Proposalfor the Site of the Former Tompkins County Public Library

WHEREAS: Members of the City of Ithaca Planning and Development Board recognize the importance of choosing an appropriate development for the Tompkins County owned site located at 310-314 N. Cayuga Street in the City of Ithaca, home to the former Tompkins County Public Library, and

WHEREAS: the site occupies a prominent corner in the DeWitt Park Historic District and is in a transition zone from commercial to residential, and

WHEREAS: the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission identified the Franklin Properties / STREAM Collaborative Proposal as the clear preference to maintain the physical and cultural integrity of the neighborhood, and

WHEREAS: the City of Ithaca Planning and Development Board has reviewed the proposals for the site and feels the Franklin Properties / STREAM Collaborative Proposal, from an urban planning and design perspective, is the most appropriate for the site,

WHEREAS: the other projects as presented would likely require substantial design changes, and

WHEREAS: the Franklin Properties / STREAM Collaborative Proposal is the only current proposal to combine highly desirable condominiums, community space, a café fronting the street, and healthcare facilities, and

WHEREAS: avoiding demolition of the existing structure in its entirety and avoiding disposal of thousands of tons of debris is the most sustainable option, and

WHEREAS: the Franklin Properties / STREAM Collaborative Proposal would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70 percent in accordance with Architect 2030 guidelines, and

WHEREAS: reuse of the existing building will be the least disruptive to the surrounding neighbors, because it has the shortest timeline for demolition and construction and avoids any disruptive pile driving that could also damage historic structures in the surrounding DeWitt Park Historic District, and

WHEREAS: renovating the existing building pays homage to, and improves upon, the original architecture, a part of Ithaca’s history, and

WHEREAS: the Franklin Properties / STREAM Collaborative Proposal preserves existing green space, maintains wide sidewalks and pedestrian amenities fronting the building, and features

carefully considered architectural detailing, all in a manner appropriate to its setting across from DeWitt Park and within the historic district, and

WHEREAS: this proposal, compared to the others, best balances multiple provisions of the City of Ithaca’s draft Comprehensive Plan, by increasing downtown residential density and restoring downtown medical services in a manner that best respects the City’s historic resources and best reflects its sustainability goals, now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED: that the City of Ithaca Planning and Development Board recommends to the Tompkins County Legislature that the Franklin Properties / STREAM Collaborative Proposal be chosen for 310-314 N. Cayuga Street in the City of Ithaca.

Moved by: SchroederSeconded by: LewisIn Favor: Blalock, Elliott, Jones-Rounds, Lewis, Randall, SchroederAgainst: 0Abstain: 0Absent: Darling