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Downtown Ithaca Alliance emphasizes "back to basics" cleaning and support; conference center reports 71 events and near‑term bookings
Summary
DIA outlined a renewed focus on cleanliness, safety, wayfinding and support for locally owned businesses; the Ithaca Downtown Conference Center reported 71 events since opening and early bookings for 2025.
Nan Ruhr, chief executive officer of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA), told the Tompkins County Housing & Economic Development Committee on Thursday that the organization is returning to core services—cleaning, greening and welcoming downtown—while continuing marketing, events and partnership work.
"What we're really looking to do... is start at that foundation of making sure that we are safe and clean and welcoming," Nan said, describing plans to scale cleaning ambassador coverage toward the goal of seven‑day, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. presence in warmer months.
Why it matters: The DIA manages a 22‑block business improvement district (BID) and coordinates programs that affect foot traffic, visitor experience and small‑business viability. Nan said the downtown plan, adopted last fall after 1,400 public survey responses and broad stakeholder input, emphasizes a vibrant, walkable downtown with activities for all ages and incomes.
Ithaca Downtown Conference Center: Suzanne Smith Jablonski, executive director of the downtown Ithaca Local Development Corporation (the center’s nonprofit owner), said staff moved into the building in May and opened for events in July. "We have held 71 events in 2024 and welcomed nearly 10,000 people through the doors for those events," she said. The conference center is managed by ASM Global under contract with the LDC.
Conference center staff reported roughly 800 room nights generated in 2024 and five multi‑day association conferences already under contract for 2025, and said the management team is receiving leads for 2026 and beyond. Managers said the center’s all‑electric kitchen and fossil‑fuel‑free operations have drawn media interest.
Short-term rental law: County staff briefed legislators on a December Albany law that will change short‑term rental registration and tax collection across the state outside New York City. The new law will require registration systems to continue collecting local occupancy taxes and includes basic health-and-safety requirements for short‑term rentals; staff said municipalities will need a registration process to keep collecting occupancy taxes and that the law should broaden sales tax remittances from platforms not currently covered.
Ending: DIA and conference center leaders said they will return with deeper briefings and metrics. Committee members asked staff to present the full downtown plan to the Legislature at a future meeting for a broader discussion on downtown strategy.
