Ithaca Commons Repair & Upgrade Project

Project Update (as of 5/8/2015)

Construction resumed on March 16. Over the past eight weeks, much has been accomplished. The public can now

enjoy the use of much of Bank Alley and the rest of the site is undergoing a rapid transformation as the concrete

program gives way to the paving and landscaping work. Streetlighting is also in its final stages of completion. The

project is on schedule for substantial completion on July 31.

Bank Alley

Landscaping is now complete on Bank Alley. The smaller planting areas at mid-block were landscaped with both pink

and white flowering eastern red bud trees along with many native perennial plants in the understory. The largest

planter closest to the pavilion features the two yellowwood trees from the original Commons, as well as native

plantings. Adjacent to the Bernie Milton Pavilion, two green screens have been planted with Five Leaf Akebia and

Climbing Hydrangea. The glass roof for the pavilion is scheduled to be installed in late-July.

200 Block (Aurora Street to Trolley Circle)

As of today, the new paving is complete. New decorative railings for the four planting areas are in the final stages of

production. After the railings are installed, landscaping can begin. The trusses for the gateway structure are scheduled

to be installed the week of May 18. The area will remain part of the construction area until the paving contractor is

further west toward Home Dairy Alley and the landscaping is complete.

Trolley Circle

Yes, there will be another Trolley Circle. The Trolley design will be created with etched pavers instead of metal rails.

Installation of pavers will begin on May 11 and will take 8 10 days to complete. Pedestrian access will be challenging

but will be maintained across the intersection. Please look for signs for the best route.

100 Block

The concrete program is complete from Trolley Circle up to Mansour Jewelers. The granite bench blocks have been

installed with planter curb and new paving to follow.

In front of Benchwarmers, the odd-looking raised slab with numerous circular carve-outs is the location for the new

playground. The installation of the playground is scheduled for July.

At the very west end of the block, the general contractor is presently constructing the foundations for three planting

areas between Home Dairy Alley and Cayuga Street. Once these are complete, the contractor will begin to remove the

remaining existing sidewalk and pour the concrete slab on the north side, from Cellar DOr to Moonshadow, then repeat

the process on the south side from the Poster Store to the Gorgers Taco Shack. Once the concrete slab is finished in

front of the buildings, the contractors will prepare the middle area for the concrete slab.

Streetlighting

Four of the twelve catenary spans have been installed. This work will generally proceed west as the concrete program is

completed in a given area.