TO:

Tompkins County Legislature

FROM:

City of Ithaca Planning and Development Board

Date:

June 30, 2015

RE:

Support for the Franklin Properties / STREAM Collaborative Proposal

for 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 caf 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 Ithacas 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 Ithacas draft Comprehensive Plan, by increasing downtown residential density and restoring
downtown medical services in a manner that best respects the Citys 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: Schroeder
Seconded by: Lewis
In Favor: Blalock, Elliott, Jones-Rounds, Lewis, Randall, Schroeder
Against: 0
Abstain: 0
Absent: Darling