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Committee: county will not use large downtown building for Code Blue next season; Cherry Street and other temporary options under review
Summary
After public comment urging alternatives, Tompkins County’s Facilities and Infrastructure Committee said it will not use the large downtown building as the Code Blue shelter next season and staff are evaluating Cherry Street, available county-owned space and community lease options for temporary sheltering.
A public commenter and committee members on Jan. 16 pressed Tompkins County officials to reconsider downtown shelter locations and to prioritize alternatives outside Ithaca for temporary Code Blue operations.
Amanda Kirchgeschner, who identified herself during the public comment period, told the committee: “I mean, any dollar you spend is a tax dollar on this and it's really not meeting the need as it stands.” She urged looking for shelter sites outside the City of Ithaca and questioned whether some individuals are counted twice because they occupy both hotel rooms and the Code Blue shelter.
Committee members followed up in the downtown facilities discussion. The committee reported it will not use the large central building for Code Blue next year. “One thing that was decided, is that we are not going to be using the key big building for the code blue shelter next year,” a facilities representative told the committee, and staff noted if the county decides to activate the Cherry Street site temporarily they would need to begin work by July 1 to open it by the next Code Blue season.
Members also said about 7,000 square feet of vacant space exists in the Mental Health building, and officials proposed touring that space with departments that might temporarily relocate. County staff discussed options for the annex building and shifting IT or elections functions to create workspace and to clear sites needed for future downtown construction. Mike, a legislator, additionally flagged privately available lease space in the former Savings Bank/extension center building as a possible option.
Why it matters: Code Blue shelter location affects where overnight sheltering is staged, costs borne by the county and the quality of accommodations for people experiencing homelessness. Committee members said they plan to keep the issue in active review as part of downtown facilities planning and a downtown special committee expected to continue in 2025.
The committee did not adopt a formal decision beyond declaring the large downtown building will not be used next year and directing staff to evaluate alternate sites and timing. Staff and legislators indicated further updates will come in the committee’s next meetings.
