Landmarks commission approves glass enclosure for bridges at 123 South Cayuga; discusses rooftop amenity

The Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission on March 18, 2025 approved a certificate of appropriateness to enclose the space between the second- and fourth-floor bridges on the east elevation of the Ithaca Gas and Electric Company building, 123 South Cayuga Street, and discussed preliminary designs for a setback rooftop amenity.

The commission found the proposed glass-and-steel enclosure would not have a "substantial adverse effect" on the landmark’s aesthetic, historical or architectural significance and determined the design meets criteria in section 228-6 of the municipal code and the Secretary of the Interior standards for rehabilitation. "The bridges themselves ... we own that right," said Brian McCracken, historic preservation and neighborhood planner, describing the property's ownership of the bridges and attached rights. The resolution concluded with the commission approving the application for a certificate of appropriateness.

John Guttridge, the project owner, described the enclosure as "minimally intrusive" and said the proposal aims in part to "bring back that historic connection" between the building and City Hall; he said the developer has leased two floors at 123 South Cayuga for expansion of city offices. Guttridge also presented a tentative rooftop concept: a largely glass, setback seating area with a small enclosed service/kitchen area tied to a ground-floor restaurant by elevator "as required by building code." He said the project team performed a 3-D scan of City Hall interiors and provided full drawings for the larger project.

Commissioners and staff noted the enclosure will require added structure because the existing bridges were designed for roof loads rather than floor loads; the design includes a minimal solid band at the base (to be painted to match existing metal) with glass above. Brian McCracken and other commissioners said most additional facade work in the larger project—window restoration, some minor changes—can be approved at the staff level.

There were no written public comments and no public speakers on this agenda item. After the resolution was read and discussed, a commissioner seconded the motion (second recorded as Caitlin Olson) and the chair called for the vote; the commission approved the certificate of appropriateness (the meeting record shows the motion carried; a numerical tally was not specified in the transcript).

Commissioners asked the project team to return with visualizations of the rooftop element as the design is refined (street-level renderings or a mockup were suggested) and materials samples; several commissioners said the proposed setback and mostly glass composition should keep the rooftop visually subordinate to the historic facades.

The commission’s approval covers only the proposed enclosure between the bridges as described in the application; other rooftop elements and any additions that materially change the building’s exterior were treated as topics for future review and will require separate approval if they materially differ from the concept now discussed.