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EDITORIAL WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2004
Fruitful Union
By SUN STAFF
This Monday Cornell and Ithaca officials broke ground on one of the most significant developments in the town-gown marriage in quite some time. With golden shovels and commemorative construction helmets in hand, President Jeffrey S. Lehman '77, Mayor Carolyn Peterson, real estate developer Paul Ciminelli, and Tompkins County Area Development president Michael Stamm kicked off the start of the long-awaited Cornell-Ciminelli project. This $30 million office building and hotel, to be located at the spot currently inhabited by the Tompkins County Trust Company, should be a catalyst for a significant revitalization of the downtown area.
It is an important moment in the history of the relationship between Ithaca and Cornell. With the University projected to move as many as 300 workers into this 175,000-square foot office space, the project makes a highly encouraging statement on the University's commitment to Ithaca's economic well-being. With the influx of University and other employees, hotel guests, and visitors frequenting the downtown area, the entire neighborhood will feel a tremendously positive impact. The building's location at the corner of Seneca and Tioga will place it directly across the street from the Ithaca Commons and one block east of the DeWitt Mall. Businesses in both of these locations will undoubtedly benefit from the increased patronage this greater foot traffic will bring. This is an exciting possibility, given the recent and substantial development outside of the city's center. Bringing the bustle of a thriving city back to the center of that community will provide Ithaca with a feeling of collective accomplishment and a much-needed boost to community morale.
The new office building, coupled with President Lehman's recent commitment to increase the University's monetary contributions to the city, will help to improve this ever-complex town-gown relationship. As the city's largest single employer and property owner, Cornell has a responsibility to be a good neighbor to Ithaca. This project is a perfect example of the University living up to that responsibility and helping to develop and solidify a mutually beneficial partnership that will last for a long, long time.
But neither this partnership nor the city's plans for economic development should end with the Ciminelli project. Last month, construction began on phase one of the Cayuga Green Project. This is another important venture that will provide downtown Ithaca with improved and modernized parking facilities as well as space for retail establishments and housing in close proximity to the economic center of town. It is projects such as these that will help Ithaca to flourish as it works to become a modern and cosmopolitan community. Though Cornell is not directly involved in this project, the University does stand to benefit immensely. A revitalized downtown area makes Ithaca a far more attractive destination for students, faculty, and staff alike. A vibrant Ithaca can only help Cornell to improve its own standing and reputation as one of the world's premier institutions of higher education.
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