ITHACA, N.Y. — The plaques are installed. Trolley Circle is almost finished. The pavers are complete on the 200 block.
Nobody’s hanging a “Mission Accomplished” banner just yet. But things are clearly moving in the right direction as the Ithaca Commons construction project moves toward completion, says Gary Ferguson, executive director of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance.
“Every day we see new progress. This is the part of the project we’ve been waiting for, where there’s change happening all the time,” Ferguson said. “And it’s really nice to see that.”
The Commons construction project has come in over-budget and was delayed months and months after it initial deadline. Many businesses saw declines in sales, leading to significant and sustained criticism of the city’s handling of the Commons reconstruction.
Ithaca officials announced in March that they were aiming for “substantial completion” of the project by August 2015 — and they say they’re on pace to meet the new, albeit delayed, deadline.
Here are 7 signs of progress on the new Ithaca Commons:
1 — The 200 block
The pavers on the 200 block of the Ithaca Commons are “100 percent complete,” according to the blog providing updates about the project.
The area is completely walkable and area residents have been sitting at the new tables and chairs during lunchtime.
2 — Gateway Structure installed
The Commons “gateway structure” is complete, though the “bases will need to be protected from the public until the final work to complete the new bump-out is done,” according to the blog site.
Parts of that gateway structure came under criticism from some alderpersons at City Hall last week.
3 — Trolley Circle
Trolley Circle is open for pedestrian access and the pavers on that section of the Commons have been completed.
The blog site adds that the trolley tracks will be etched in granite: “The granite pavers that create the circle are 6″ x 12″ and the granite pavers in the middle are 8″x 18” and weigh about 45 lbs each.”
4 — Bank Alley
Bank Alley is substantially done, with the pavers on the street — from Center Ithaca to Seneca Street — finished for several months and the planters now also filled and complete.
See an Ithaca Voice editorial from April about that section of the Commons.
5 — Child of Ithaca returns!
“The Child of Ithaca Sculpture,” a mainstay of the original Ithaca Commons, is back in town.
She’s taken up residence near Exscape.
Here’s a photo of her catching from sun from Ithaca Voice Advertising Director Mike Blaney:
6 — Commemorative plaques
Several commemorative plaques from the old Commons were kept for re-installation in the new Commons, the blog says.
Those include the plaques for the The Bernie Milton and Commons Dedication.
7 — The Bernie Milton Pavilion
The pavers have been done for some time underneath the new Bernie Milton Pavilion. This week, crews are expected to finish painting the exposed steel welds, according to the blog site.
The pavilion’s glass roof will then be put in place in mid-July, according to the contractors.
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