Ithaca staff outline temporary camping pilot, navigation‑hub plan and site improvements for Southwest parcel

City staff presented a draft encampment-response report recommending a time-limited pilot to allow managed camping on a portion of the city‑owned Southwest parcel (near the Tompkins County Solid Waste Center) paired with a staffed navigation hub offering services, and recommended a series of site improvements and safety measures.

Deputy City Manager (presenting) and the city’s encampment response coordinator, Kanish Fatima, told council the approach is intended to reduce harms associated with informal encampments while providing outreach, access to services and safer, designated places for people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Staff described the proposal as a phased, 2–3‑year pilot that would rely on existing capital funds to make site improvements and would require operational partnerships for a staffed navigation hub.

Site concept and proposed improvements: staff showed an updated site plan that reduces camping in wetter or hard-to-access areas and concentrates leveled, mulched camping plots (each roughly 1,250 square feet), pedestrian access with solar LED path…