Editor’s Note: The following is an opinion column written by Joseph Gaylord, long-time Ithaca resident, Downtown Ithaca Alliance board member, and manager of American Crafts by Robbie Dein.
It was written after a column published in the Ithaca Voice, “Opinion: We are months away from a safe Ithaca Commons.”
To submit a guest column, contact me anytime at jstein@ithacavoice.com.
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Opinion from Joseph Gaylord:
Community def.-a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.
The Commons construction has certainly made it difficult for all of us. As with any construction zone, there are hazards for all pedestrians. The broken, cracked and uneven former pavement was also responsible for many trips and falls over the years, as I am sure the city can attest to. Yet, with all those hazards and the continuing dust and noise, we can now see light at the end of the tunnel, as the construction nears completion.
Many friends and patrons have continued to support downtown.
We have felt the good spirits and positive attitude that many have shared with us throughout this process to create something strong and new and vibrant.
We have had visits and patronage from customers who have shopped downtown since before there was a Commons, and new friends who have moved to town to experience what the Ithaca Community really is.
We have, at the core of our city, in our shops and restaurants, shared weddings, and birthdays, and anniversaries, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, graduations, Confirmations, new babies, retirements; celebrations of all kinds.
We have watched this process of rebuilding, and shared the concerns and difficulties of every day for the last 2 plus years.
We have seen disabled citizens, mothers with children in tow, students on crutches from sports accidents, senior citizens with walkers, fathers carrying new babies, sons and daughters and grandchildren, grandparents, aunts and uncles celebrating life, love, joy, family, and community. All have navigated the Commons and patronized its shops and restaurants, and theaters, and doctors and lawyers and accountants and opticians and hair salons.
We thank them and extend an invitation to all others.
The Ithaca Commons, heart of the city, has been and will continue to mirror the support of its citizens and visitors.
We are near the completion of one of the largest projects this city has ever undertaken: a complete rebuild of the very center of our community.
Like any huge change, there have been mistakes, successes, controversy and support.
We would like to thank those who have endured with us, commiserated with us, supported us, laughed and cried with us, and thankfully, embraced us. Without you, there would be no Ithaca.
You don’t have to be born here to be a true Ithacan. Ithaca Is Community.
— Joseph Gaylord
Part of the Ithaca Community since 1979
Commons Advisory Board Member
Downtown Ithaca Alliance Board Member
Community School of Music and Arts Board Member
Manager- American Crafts by Robbie Dein
Previous Ithaca Voice coverage of the new Commons
Editorial: If Bank Alley is any sign, new Ithaca Commons will be awesome – There they were: Shoppers. On the Ithaca Commons. In the flesh.
Ithaca Voice
3 Ithaca Commons shops going out of business; construction blamed – Three downtown Ithaca shops are going out of business — and at least two of their owners say the over-budget and delayed Commons construction project is to blame. Ithaca Voice
New report: Over 60 percent of downtown Ithaca retailers saw sales, foot traffic drop in 2014 – A new report shows that more than 60 percent of retailers in downtown Ithaca saw foot traffic and sales decline both during the last holiday season and throughout 2014. Ithaca VOice
After Commons crews break window, Ithaca merchant picks humor over anger – Stacey Payette was with her mother last Friday morning when she got a call from an unknown number. Ithaca Voice
Officials: Simeon’s crash, other factors again delay completion date for Commons redesign – The completion date for the Ithaca Commons redesign has been pushed into next year. Ithaca Voice
In sweeping speech, Mayor Myrick says new Commons will be best downtown in U.S. – In an address that drew from sources ranging from Abraham Lincoln to Fyodor Dostoevsky. Ithaca Voice
Mayor Myrick on 4 big issues, including the Commons, truck safety, and Cornell – “This problem happens often enough with tragic enough consequences that we have to act on it. But we have to be careful not to overreact,” Myrick says of truck safety. Ithaca Voice
Amid construction, Commons hot dog vendor asks for old spot back – Louis “Lou” Cassaniti wheeled out his equipment Wednesday morning for another day of grilling. Ithaca Voice
Ithaca Commons business owners pack City Hall, lamenting construction – A few dozen people, including many Ithaca Commons business owners, packed City Hall on Wednesday to express dissatisfaction with the Commons construction project. Ithaca Voice
Ithaca delays completion date for part of Commons construction project – Unexpected delays have pushed back the projected completion date for the surface of the western stretch of the Commons into the spring. Ithaca Voice
Reopening festivities for Ithaca Commons scheduled for Aug. 28-29 – Ithacans have earned their stripes this year, putting up with frigid weather and snow. Key West we aren’t. Ithaca Voice
New balconies considered for rebuilt Simeon’s on Ithaca Commons – Could the rebuilt Simeon’s Restaurant include two new balconies? Ithaca Voice
Reference to Greek myth proves unconvincing as Ithaca rejects dogs on Commons – Seth Sicroff reached far into the literary canon Wednesday night as he tried to persuade Ithaca’s council to allow dogs to walk on the newly renovated Commons. Ithaca Voice
After 17 years, Jabberwock head shop moving off Ithaca Commons – The head shop Jabberwock is moving off of the Ithaca Commons after 17 years, according to the store’s staff. Ithaca Voice