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Ithaca IURA reprograms funds, prioritizes $85,000 for Cass Park restrooms and approves several CDBG-related actions
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Summary
The Ithaca City IURA unanimously approved a package of CDBG-related items, including an $85,000 reprogramming recommendation prioritized for Cass Park ADA restrooms and pavilion shortfall; the agency also approved a Farmers Market parking agreement with Cuba Medical, an extension for Shared Kitchen Ithaca, and a budget tweak for INHS homeowner rehab.
The Ithaca City Industrial Development/Redevelopment agency (IURA) voted unanimously to reprogram Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and to prioritize $85,000 to cover a shortfall for Cass Park’s ADA-accessible public restroom and pavilion.
At its meeting, members passed an amendment ranking reprogramming recommendations: first, $85,000 toward the Cass Park restroom and pavilion shortfall; second, homeless-services facility enhancements as an alternate. Speaker 2 moved the amendment and, after a second by Donna, the amendment and the main motion as amended carried unanimously.
Why it matters: staff said several previously approved projects either withdrew or lagged on required spend-down timelines, creating an opportunity to reallocate money to projects more likely to meet federal timing and public-benefit tests. Reprogramming is intended to help the agency meet a May spend-down snapshot and keep funds flowing to shovel-ready work.
Other approvals and actions - Ithaca Farmers Market/Cuba Medical parking agreement: The IURA advanced a resolution allowing the market to sublease 75 parking spaces from Cuba Medical for employee parking. Speaker 3 noted concerns about market access for events, and staff (Nels) said Cuba Medical agreed to “black out” dates for the plant sale, artist market, weddings and other events to protect market accessibility; the motion to move the resolution to discussion carried unanimously and the item passed.
- Shared Kitchen Ithaca extension: The agency approved an extension request from Shared Kitchen Ithaca so the project can meet participant requirements tied to its CDBG award. Staff reported the kitchen opened in May and needs more months to reach the required number of participants; members voted to support the extension unanimously.
- INHS homeowner rehab budget modification: The IURA approved a technical amendment to increase eligible delivery/administrative expenses for Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS) homeowner rehab projects. Staff explained early applications assumed a 5% delivery allowance but actual delivery costs are higher and the adjustment aligns local practice with the state program ceiling (staff estimated eligible delivery expenses likely fall in the range of about 13%–18% for the two projects discussed).
Selected project details and funding context Staff flagged several projects to guide council review: an electrical/fire-panel upgrade at Southside Community Center was presented as a priority because it enables previously approved solar work; the Cleveland Avenue project carries an overage for work already completed and was identified as a quick reimbursement candidate; and the Cass Park restroom/pavilion project—rebid and redesigned as modular units—showed a substantial shortfall after bids exceeded original estimates (staff cited figures on the green sheet showing a gap ranging from tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars).
Homeless-services enhancements and alternatives Nels, staff lead for homelessness work, summarized a working-group proposal for a temporary or transitional pod-style shelter approach (roughly 10–12 modular pod units plus a hygiene facility) and said about $85,000 could buy some capital elements such as a hygiene/shower unit or a small number of shelters. He cautioned that siting, vetting, and public-benefit certification would take additional time and could create implementation risk.
‘County delays’ and service delivery Several members discussed the county’s role in shelter provision. Speaker 2 criticized repeated county delays in implementing a promised 24/7 shelter and said the city may need to move forward on some local responses; that tension informed members’ weighing of whether to prioritize Cass Park (a shovel-ready, city-scoped project) or homeless-services enhancements (which may require more time and partnership commitments).
Grant and program context Staff also briefed the IURA on broader funding pressures: the local Continuum of Care NOFO from HUD has refocused priorities toward treatment, outreach and shorter-term supports and capped permanent supportive housing at no more than 30% of awards—changes that may make historically funded permanent-supportive programs harder to finance. Staff noted the NOFO and local competition timelines are tight, with community submissions due Jan. 14 and internal deadlines about a month earlier.
Next steps The IURA will forward reprogramming guidance and recommended priorities to Common Council for the modifications that exceed IURA authority and for required public comment. The agency’s next meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 18.
