City says Seneca Street garage closed for safety; council outlines multi‑phase redevelopment amid business concerns

The City of Ithaca told the Common Council on May 6 that the Seneca Street parking garage will remain closed because repeated freeze‑thaw damage has caused significant concrete spalling and created a public‑safety risk. City Manager Mr. Recchio said inspectors found failing concrete panels—particularly on the south side where vehicles and pedestrians pass—making reopening unsafe without costly repairs.

"The concrete has been outside for about 50 some years," the city manager said, noting a short‑term repair addressing an elevator‑shaft issue would cost up to several hundred thousand dollars while broader structural work to extend the garage’s useful life would run into the millions. He said an immediate set of removals—taking off several damaged concrete panels—will be undertaken to reopen the adjacent sidewalk and allow a nearby bus stop to operate again, but that removing panels may further compromise the structure and…