The Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency approved a modification to its 2024 HUD action plan to reallocate $70,000 from the economic development loan fund to expand the Cecil Malone Drive pedestrian improvement project by adding approximately 664 feet of sidewalk on the 100 block of Cherry Street.

Preeti presented the change as a substantial amendment to the original HUD action plan that is needed because the city is at risk of missing the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) spend-down timeliness requirement. "Repurposing this funding will both be beneficial to the project and will also help us towards meeting that spend down goal," Preeti said.

A board member noted the amendment requires a formal modification to the HUD action plan; staff confirmed a public hearing has been scheduled for Sept. 10. Construction was described by staff as remaining on schedule for completion in the current calendar year.

Board members praised the presentation from the sidewalk improvement initiative’s coordinator; one member said the coordinator’s presentation “was outstanding and really demonstrated the commitment to, communities and equity in this town.” The transcript indicates the additional segment was structured as an add-on to an existing contract to ease implementation.

The motion to modify the HUD action plan was seconded and carried; the transcript records the vote as favorable but does not show a roll-call tally. The transcript does not disclose procurement contract numbers, construction contract award, or final construction timeline beyond the statement that construction is planned in the current calendar year.