Ithaca council approves $523,300 engineering contract as it weighs $6 million Union Street financing

The City of Ithaca City Council on April 7 approved an engineering services contract with ROWE for the Union Street Project and reviewed financing options for the estimated $6,000,000 project.

City Manager Jamey Conn introduced Andy Campbell of Bendzinski & Company, who presented several financing approaches — capital improvement bonds, Michigan Transportation Bonds and revenue bonds — with terms ranging from 10 to 30 years. Campbell said the council discussed a 15-year repayment term as the overall preferred option when balancing cost and duration.

Aaron Wendzel of ROWE reviewed a previously submitted professional services proposal and the council voted to approve ROWE’s engineering proposal in the amount of $523,300. The motion to award the contract was moved by Councilperson Clark Hubbard and seconded by Councilperson James Andrew; the motion carried by roll call with ayes recorded for Mayor Brett Baublitz and councilmembers Brooke Vernon, James Andrew, Rob Endter, Brandon Ester and Clark Hubbard.

The council did not adopt a final financing instrument at the meeting; members directed staff and financial advisors to continue refining bond-term and interest-rate scenarios before returning with a recommendation. No specific funding source beyond the bond types presented was finalized.

The council also received brief updates on related project planning and next steps for design and permitting. The engineering contract is intended to allow the city to advance detailed design and bid documents while staff continue to evaluate financing mechanics and timelines.