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Ithaca IRA outlines Inlet Island, Seneca Garage and 'Lucy' development planning

Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency · October 18, 2025
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Summary

Staff updated the board on Inlet Island property-exchange and cleanup work, early-stage redevelopment options for Seneca Garage and a planned INHS affordable housing project at 205 West State Street called 'the Lucy.' Surveys, appraisals and environmental assessments remain outstanding.

Agency staff briefed the board on several redevelopment projects under study, including Inlet Island, the Seneca Garage and a proposed INHS project dubbed "the Lucy" at 205–209 West State Street.

On Inlet Island, Nelson said two obstacles stand in the way of advancing a sale: completing a property exchange with the state (including easements for dredge activity) and providing a clearer estimate of cleanup costs for a parcel historically used for bulk fuel storage. "We know generally what it is, but we don't have any precise numbers," Nelson said; staff are awaiting a survey from T. G. Miller before ordering appraisals and approaching state agencies.

Nelson described Seneca Garage as a longer-term redevelopment candidate. Engineering evaluations suggest the structure would require repeated, costly repairs if retained; staff reported the city engineering division recommended evaluating redevelopment rather than spending recurring large sums on structural repairs. Staff noted Green and Cayuga garages currently have spare daytime capacity to absorb demand in the short term but acknowledged Seneca redevelopment would require policy decisions about parking and mixed uses.

Nelson also described a project at 205–209 West State Street being advanced by Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS) for conversion of former medical offices into affordable housing. Staff said the project is referred to internally as "the Lucy" and, if successful, would generate some reimbursement to the agency for earlier costs associated with the project.

Ending: Staff said surveys, appraisals and additional environmental work will be needed before any property dispositions move to financing or sale; project timelines are measured in months to years rather than weeks.