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Downtown Ithaca Before 'The Commons' - Circa 1901
Initial concepts for the redesign of Ithaca’s downtown pedestrian mall were unveiled today by Sasaki Associates. The Boston firm, which designed the master plan for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, was selected to provide recommendations and plans for a new Ithaca Commons. These initial plans focus primarily on the spatial layout and considerations for the subterranean infrastructure, and they are a big step towards bringing a needed facelift to this central part of downtown Ithaca. As a member of the Commons Advisory Board, I’m excited to see the city’s commitment to this, despite objections from a few groups that want the space returned to a street. If grants can be secured and funding provided, this redesign will have a very positive impact on the economic health of downtown Ithaca. It will bring the space back to its original conception as a community space for social exchange, entertainment and commerce. If the opportunity passes or the appropriate funding for a full redesign is not secured, then the minority is right and it should be returned to a main street. But what a loss that would be.
See the article from today’s paper here.
My mother was born on Halloween and we moved to Ithaca one year ago on October 31st. With two weeks left until the due date, it could happen. Rachel and I took a walk to get a few pictures of her before the baby arrives, with the upstate NY foliage in full bloom. Rach will be relieved when this baby arrives and she’s no longer the focus of all my pictures. (But she’s such a great subject)
And this is the view out our window this morning…
I was contacted this week by a journalism student at Ithaca College for an article about the Rutabaga Curl. The International Rutabaga Curling Championship is coming up in December and the student reached out based on my post from last winter. I also spoke to the honorable commissioner of the curling championship this week and interest is stronger than ever with media requests from national news outlets including NPR. The curl is scheduled for December 19th this year, so if you need a reason to visit Ithaca before the holidays, what better excuse?
The big drama this year is that the Ithaca Farmer’s Market was challenged by the Iowa Farmers market to a national curl-off. See the full article from the IC student here.
My brother came up for the weekend to help Rachel and me get the house in order for his soon-to-be nephew. We put up a fence, stacked a wood pile, put up all the blinds, cut down limbs, painted, moved furniture and demolished stuff. Here’s the ‘J-Crew’ picture Rachel took of us after our manic yardwork session on Sunday.
Thanks for everything, Bri. This kid’s going to be lucky to have you as an uncle.
With one month until baby Ash is scheduled to arrive, Rachel’s feeling a little less mobile, while this kid is really moving now. We’re getting more settled into the house every day and even found time to watch the Steelers and eat a Purity mint chip sundae tonight. We still can’t quite wrap our heads around the amount our lives will change come November. But we’re ready as we can be and getting more excited by the day. Come on little guy!
Rachel and I took a day trip up to Skaneateles NY this weekend. William Seward, Abe Lincoln’s Secretary of State, called Skaneateles Lake the most beautiful body of water in the world. We went up for an art tour, and dinner at the great Rosalies Cucina. During the studio tour, we visited this beautifully restored barn. Take a look at that silo. Have you ever seen such great looking rust before?
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