County staff to present financial impacts of downtown facility and deconstruction at fall meetings

Tompkins County staff told the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee on July 17 they will deliver detailed financial information about the proposed downtown government facility and the deconstruction of three buildings as schematic design advances.
A committee member asked the administration for a business-case-style spreadsheet showing financial benefits and costs, including reduced leased-space payments and how moving departments could shift rental income or obligations. County Administrator Corso said the county will present a financial picture once schematic design is selected and consultant work on deconstruction is further along; staff expect to present more detail by September or October to align with decision points.
Corso said some outcomes cannot be captured purely as dollars, such as improved space quality, employee health and productivity, and the county’s ability to control maintenance and energy efficiency in county-owned space versus leased space. He also said county planning staff were engaging state agencies about three or four funding streams that might be available to support the project, including energy-related grants.
Discussion: Committee members discussed parking implications on Tioga Street and nearby lots, and asked that county staff start negotiating with the city of Ithaca about accessible parking and other on-street accommodations as planning advances. Staff said they are collecting data on staff and visitor parking durations and will discuss parking and curb-space needs with the city during deconstruction and construction planning.
Decision/direction: County staff committed to deliver a financial impact presentation connected to schematic design selection, targeting September or October 2025; no spending authorization was made at the meeting.
Ending: Committee members said they want the full financial picture for the legislature and asked staff to include lease-relief and operating-cost projections when the schematic designs are ready.