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Downtown facilities: SHPO site visit, space-program updates and IT relocation planning
Summary
County staff reported a State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) site visit to three downtown buildings, nearing completion of a space-program update, hazardous-materials assessments ahead of any deconstruction, a traffic and parking study, and early coordination on IT relocation and fiber drops to support temporary and permanent moves.
Tompkins County staff briefed the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee on progress toward downtown facilities planning, reporting a recent State Historic Preservation Office site visit, near-complete space-program updates, and preliminary plans for IT relocation and hazardous-materials assessments.
Raul, presenting the update, said three SHPO representatives inspected three buildings on March 24 and then met with county staff for more than two hours. Raul said the visit "went very well" and that SHPO's forthcoming letter will outline required next steps and any consultation issues. He said the meeting suggested additional outreach to partners and that the county will act on steps described in SHPO's written response.
Staff reported they are finalizing a space-program update after department interviews and are procuring tests of existing electric and gas services to evaluate whether current utilities can support a new building. They also plan hazardous-building-materials assessments (asbestos, lead, PCBs) at identified properties, which staff said are visibly present at two of the buildings.
On IT infrastructure, staff and consultant Tetra Tech met with ITS and a local fiber provider (FirstLight) to assess options for "drops from the poles" and to explore temporary server locations in the old jail for a staged relocation during construction. Raul said staff walked pole locations and will meet with FirstLight to determine whether pole drops and conduit runs can provide improved and more resilient fiber service into county buildings.
Staff also said they will begin a traffic and parking study, delayed until after the spring break period so counts reflect normal activity. They have started drafting community engagement plans and will present options to the downtown facilities special committee on May 6.
Raul said deconstruction planning will require hazardous-materials surveys before abatement and that any renovations of the old jail would include mechanical and infrastructure work; staff noted the building's underground tunnel system contains asbestos and is currently sealed.
Committee members asked about interim IT moves and the need to possibly relocate IT more than once; Raul said that is likely and that staff will work to build better infrastructure during any temporary relocations so the county is better positioned for a permanent solution.
Staff also noted outreach to the Downtown Ithaca Business Association will be scheduled with the downtown facilities special committee to gather additional local input.
