City officials praise county's navigation center plan; warn water infrastructure and dam repairs could cost up to $200 million
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Summary
Ithaca city officials told the county legislature they support a county-city navigation center and warned large investments will be needed for wastewater treatment and dam repairs, with estimates that could reach $100'$200 million and need state support.
Representatives from the Ithaca Common Council told the Tompkins County Legislature on Aug. 19 that the city welcomes the legislature's action to advance a navigation center and said the project represents a more coordinated city-county approach to homelessness and related services.
Ithaca council representatives also warned the legislature about looming, large capital needs for water infrastructure. At the meeting, city officials identified two distinct issues affecting water service: the wastewater treatment plant and a dam that is critical to the city's water supply. They said early cost estimates for each project were in the range of roughly $100 million, and combined needs could approach $200 million. City officials said they are pursuing funding and that state support will be essential.
Council representatives said a joint municipal committee oversees planning for the wastewater treatment plant and related charges may be apportioned among the participating municipalities; any bond or financing is a municipal-level decision that must be agreed by the other towns involved. Officials emphasized that the city is seeking state assistance to meet the anticipated cost.
On the navigation center, city representatives thanked the county for passing a resolution moving the project forward and described the effort as a concrete step toward a coordinated regional response. They said they had discussed the plan with residents and stakeholders across neighborhoods, and that the plan provides a means of coordinated services and resources for people experiencing homelessness.
Legislators asked follow-up questions about whether wastewater projects would be financed by the water system or the city, and whether ratepayers or taxpayers would ultimately shoulder costs. City officials reiterated that state support is expected and that multi-jurisdictional agreement will be required for bonding and financing.
No formal county-level financing decisions on dam repairs or wastewater upgrades were made at the Aug. 19 meeting; the city representatives urged county legislators to support state-level funding conversations and intermunicipal cooperation.