ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) — A homeless shelter collaboration between Tompkins County and the city of Ithaca is closer to reality.
Officials in the county and city have agreed on a 3-year lease with Maguire at 100 Commercial Ave., where a Burger King restaurant used to reside. Legislator Greg Mezey, who chairs the Housing and Economic Development Committee, explained during the Aug. 5 Tompkins County Legislature meeting how the property would be used.
“This is the partnership and collaboration we’ve been talking about for the Code Blue emergency shelter and navigation hub with the city of Ithaca,” Mezey said. During the daytime, Deputy City Manager Dominick Recckio stated the space would be operated by the city as a homeless services navigation hub.
“It would involve not-for-profit agencies and other service providers working with city staff to make sure that individuals experiencing homelessness in the city of Ithaca have a transitional space to and from encampments . . . as well as the ability to seek housing, medical, and other resources,” Recckio said.
In the winter of 2024-25, Tompkins County used the former Key Bank building on N. Tioga St. as the cold weather shelter, but that space will be deconstructed later this year as part of the Center of Government project.
Legislators unanimously approved the resolution, which also requires approval from the city of Ithaca. The Common Council will hold a vote tonight, Aug. 6, on the agreement.
