Several downtown Ithaca landlords have made commitments to the Downtown Ithaca Alliance for storefront spaces for this competition. Because Ithaca remains a dynamic and fluid market, the exact space(s) may not be finalized until the end of the competition. That said, as of this time, it is known that one or two spaces will be made available for the winner(s) to occupy by June 2012 and at least one of these spaces will be located on the Ithaca Commons pedestrian mall. The spaces will be approximately 1,500 square feet and have high visibility. According to DIA Executive Director, Gary Ferguson, the DIA “sought landlords who were both willing and able to make a vacant storefront available for a year to be part of this exciting project. We will work closely with the finalists to ensure that their proposal and the available spaces are the best possible matches.”

Interested parties may submit their proposals for a viable, compatible retail or commercial business that will benefit from being located in downtown Ithaca. A pre-application can be downloaded at www.downtownithaca.com and must be submitted to the DIA by March 15, 2012. The DIA’s Business Retention and Development Committee will select the finalists who will them be asked to prepare and submit formal business plans by April 25. Race for the Space winners will be selected May 1^st and will be expected to be able to launch their new businesses in Summer 2012.

For complete rules and regulations visit www.downtownithaca.com.

1. Holiday shopping can be stressful – for me, at least. Crowded stores, bad service or no service, running all over town checking multiple stores for that hard-to-find gift… for many people, these are the unfortunate signs of the season.  Try something different: come shop downtown. We offer one-of-a-kind stores with owners and employees ready and eager to help you select your perfect gifts. Park in our covered garages. Stroll leisurely on the Commons, at DeWitt Mall, and throughout our downtown district. I promise, your holiday stress will turn to holiday cheer.
2. Does buying local resonate with you and your family? If you are one of the many Ithacans who value the merits of buying local, then you need to shop and dine downtown this holiday season. Why visit a regional mall with acres of asphalt and national businesses with little or no affinity to your community? Here in downtown you find local shopkeepers, people who have invested in providing their community – your community – with a vast array of goods, products, services, food, and beverage. You know the story… when you buy local, more money remains in our community, and more local people can get and keep jobs. This year, make a pledge to buy some of your gifts locally – and downtown is the best place to do it.
3. When the sun goes down, the Commons takes on an enchanting character all of its own. Thousands of white lights decorate our trees, bushes, clock towers, and lamp poles, transforming downtown into a wonderland of twinkling light. It’s truly a lovely sight. Come and stroll; better yet, come shop and dine.
4. Learn about the variety of goods, services, and dining that you can find downtown. We have an incredible array of products that may surprise and amaze you. We feature the community’s two local toy stores, the region’s independent kitchenware store, long-standing jewelry stores, and one of the region’s best collection of gift stores. We have the region’s two men’s clothing stores. We have a number of specialty women’s clothing boutiques.  We have sporting and athletic gear stores. We offer yarn and fabric, guitars, home furnishings and decor, art galleries and art supplies, books, antiques, and collectibles. We have some of the region’s largest and most respected second hand/vintage stores. Go on-line at www.downtowntihaca.com to peruse the list of stores in the downtown area.
5. Plan to dine downtown this holiday season. We have the region’s largest and best assortment of dining establishments – nearly all one-of-a-kind local treasures. Downtown’s collection of eateries is legend – come join us! Pick a restaurant you’ve never visited or return to your old favorites.
6. Finally, buy a Downtown Ithaca gift card. It’s easy, flexible, and is available in any amount. They can be used at over 100 different shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues in downtown. It’s the perfect gift for employees, teachers, and hard-to-buy-for friends and relatives! Go to www.downtownithaca.com to place your order, or visit our office in Center Ithaca on the Commons.

On behalf of the businesses of Downtown Ithaca, I invite you to visit downtown this holiday season.  And happy holidays to one and all!

(Ithaca, NY)  The Downtown Ithaca Alliance will host its 13^th and final summer concert for the 2011 season on September 1^st from 6:00 – 8:00 pm when they host local funk band the Mutron Warriors.  In addition to live music, the Summer Block Party will also feature a beer and wine garden in Bank Alley along with a variety of added attractions.  The State Theatre will be on hand with a preview of their upcoming 2011-2012 schedule.  Newly arrived students, transplants and visitors alike will be welcomed with area information and children will be welcomed to join in a variety of children’s activities.  For more information on the Summer Block Party and all Downtown Ithaca events, please call 277-8679 or visit downtownithaca.com.

As a nonpartisan organization, one might wonder why we chose to host such an event. The answer is simple – we want the community to better understand how the candidates will confront the very real and difficult issues that the new mayor will face on day one. Ithaca, like nearly all other cities in New York and elsewhere, faces a daunting task of balancing its budget in this time of fiscal stress. It has three and only three options: raise taxes, cut expenses and therefore services, or generate new revenue. Raising taxes is a very unpopular option. Cutting services sounds good – until the service we want is no longer available the way we want it. When police are unable to respond in a timely manner or when a building burns because there was not sufficient building department staff to inspect it ahead of time – cuts become difficult and dangerous. That leaves raising new revenue through growth as the most palatable and logical solution.

What do our candidates think about growth? How will they guide and steer development? These were the key background questions that suggested to us that it would be useful to ask candidates to better articulate how they would seek to deal with growth – both in downtown and citywide.

The DIA staff is preparing an economic impact assessment of the Commons and downtown. Without even forecasting and projecting opportunities that hopefully will appear in the future given proper nurturing, we calculated that there are about $100 million in possible downtown projects that developers have already identified as possible for the short and mid-term. Most of these projects are not public and remain ideas that are waiting to be launched.  The new mayor will have much to say about whether these projects are encouraged and developed, or remain simply dormant ideas. A portfolio of $100 million in new projects would generate over $850,000 in new City property taxes, once these projects reach their normalized states. In this economy, that is a lot of new revenue and that would be only for the projects we currently know about. That is also just the property tax; downtown projects provide jobs, spending, sales tax, and other spin off benefits that help the City’s bottom line. The new Mayor, working with the DIA, will have the opportunity to identify and promote far more development activity as well – in downtown, in the West End and at the now vacant nearby Emerson facility.

Take the time to read the written responses provided by our candidates to six key questions posed by the DIA. These responses can be found on our web site. While the DIA will and must remain strictly nonpartisan, we encourage the community to take interest and learn about the vision and views of each candidate. This is a crucial time in the life of our city and the role of the new Mayor will be paramount. Democracy is not a spectator sport… it requires an informed electorate. Take the time to learn about the good people who are competing to be our next mayor.

Downtown Ithaca Alliance to host Mayoral Candidate Forum – August 23^rd, 2011

The Downtown Ithaca Alliance will host a Mayoral Candidate Forum on Tuesday, August 23 from 8am to 9:30am with all candidates for Mayor. Candidates will be able to present their positions on current issues facing the downtown area. Members of the general public, the downtown retail sector, and property owners are invited to attend.

What: Mayoral Candidate Forum on Downtown Ithaca, Economic Development & Growth
Who: Hosted by the Downtown Ithaca Alliance
When: August 23, 2011 – 8:00 – 9:30 am
Where: Delilah’s on Cayuga Restaurant, 112 South Cayuga Street

Candidates have received advance questions on topics relating to the future of downtown including the Ithaca Commons redesign, urban housing planning, commercial and office development, downtown’s image, and services including parking, cleaning and safety. Each will be asked to present their view at the forum and full written answers will be posted on the Downtown Ithaca Alliance website at downtownithaca.com.

In addition, a limited number of audience questions will be asked of the candidates by way of submissions on the day, before the start of the forum. The format includes introductions, summary responses to the advance questions, responses to audience questions, and closing remarks. A light breakfast and beverages will be provided. Seating is limited.

The Downtown Ithaca Alliance recently completed its 2020 Strategic Plan calling for a redesign of the Ithaca Commons, increased density of housing, and a transit spine to connect the West End Waterfront District, Ithaca College, Cornell University and the Downtown.

The Downtown Ithaca Alliance is a 501(c)3 non-profit business improvement district. From its inception the DIA has adhered to a policy of nonpartisanship in politics. The organization does not endorse or support parties or candidates for office at any level of government.

For more information contact Gary Ferguson, Executive Director, Downtown Ithaca Alliance at 607-277-8679 or email gary@downtownithaca.com.

It’s a lovely place for a stroll, for a noontime or evening meal, for some recreational and experiential shopping. You will see people of all ages, all races and ethnicities, and from places around the globe. All are welcome; all add to the mosaic of community we call downtown.

This summer take a downtown stroll. Discover the gift shops, the incredible dining, and that special environment that awaits you here in downtown Ithaca.