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Ithaca honors local projects with Susan Blumenthal Pride of Ownership awards
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Summary
The Ithaca Common Council hosted the Susan Blumenthal Pride of Ownership awards recognizing six public‑facing projects, including a 6‑unit infill at 601 East State, a restored Italianate house at 404½ N. Cayuga, a new Cornell academic building, a Dorothy Cotton mural, and market improvements at Steamboat Landing.
The Ithaca Common Council recognized a series of local architecture, landscape and public‑art projects tonight with the Susan Blumenthal Pride of Ownership awards.
Margaret Hobby, chair of the awards committee, opened the presentation by noting the program recognizes projects that go beyond baseline requirements and improve the public realm. Winners included a new six‑unit infill at 601 East State Street by owner Charlie O’Connor and Designers Trade Design Build; a carefully restored and landscaped 404½ North Cayuga Street by Witham Planning Design & Landscape Architecture; the Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science at Cornell; a Dorothy Cotton mural outside Photosynthesis Productions at 415 North Tioga Street; and extensive first‑phase site and circulation improvements at the Ithaca Farmers Market at Steamboat Landing.
The council’s remarks and the committee presentation emphasized design choices that respond to neighborhood context. For 601 East State Street the committee highlighted approvals the project obtained — an area variance, a Landmarks Preservation Commission recommendation, and planning‑board site‑plan approval — and noted design elements (hip roof, porch, material choices) intended to complement the East Hill Historic District. Charlie O’Connor and project representative Mike Baroski were invited to accept the award.
At 404½ North Cayuga Street the committee described reconstructed masonry and new planting beds, bluestone paths and a reorganized entry sequence that restored the building’s nineteenth‑century character while accommodating modern uses. The committee credited landscape architect Jacob von Mecow and project team members for hands‑on involvement.
Cornell’s new Ann S. Bowers College building was recognized for consolidating computing and information science programs in a roughly 134,972‑square‑foot facility at 127 Hoy Road. Presenters said the L‑shaped, four‑story design forms a new quad and provides shared outdoor spaces adjacent to Gates Hall.
The Dorothy Cotton mural — created by Rochester artist Sean Dunwoody with coordination by Ithaca Murals and Photosynthesis Productions — was lauded for connecting Cotton’s legacy as a civil‑rights educator to local storytelling and community engagement. Council members noted Senator Leah Webb’s remarks at the mural’s ribbon‑cutting.
The Ithaca Farmers Market team described first‑phase improvements including reoriented drive aisles, porous paving, clarified pedestrian paths and vendor parking areas. Market representatives indicated fundraising for subsequent phases is ongoing.
The awards ceremony and accompanying slideshow highlighted community collaboration and grassroots volunteer involvement; committee leaders encouraged nominations for next year.
