Council backs $489,400 Main Street grant application for Urban Core LLC renovation and housing
June 19, 2025 | Ithaca City, Tompkins County, New York
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The Ithaca Common Council unanimously endorsed a resolution on June 18 supporting a $489,400 New York Main Street grant application for renovation of a mixed-use property owned by Urban Core LLC.
"This is a resolution supporting application... to the New York Main Street program ... for a total of $489,400 for renovation of veil and veil office and housing space," the council packet summary read during the motion.
City staff said the applicant, Urban Core LLC, proposes to renovate ground-floor retail and upper-floor housing, producing around 18 housing units. The deputy director of economic development said the city has experience with the Main Street program: "I believe the D A DIA has received 3, of the New York State Main Street grants," the staff presenter said in response to council questions about prior city grant awards.
Councilors asked about affordability controls and project management. When asked whether the renovations would be regulated affordable housing, staff said the project would be subject to state program requirements and that they would return with the specific income thresholds. "We may have... I believe it is 80% AMI, but let us dig for that detail and find it for you and send it to you," staff said.
The developer and owner were identified in the meeting materials as Urban Core LLC, and the staff presenter identified the managing principal as John Gutridge, who the presenter said "has a pretty extensive experience with state grant programs" and currently owns nearby properties.
The resolution passed unanimously at the special session. Council asked staff to follow up with details about ground-floor tenant protections during construction and to confirm the specific income limits that would govern affordability if the state grant requires it.
Why it matters: The Main Street grant supports downtown commercial and upper-floor housing rehabilitation; if awarded and combined with financing, the project could add to the city's supply of regulated affordable housing. Council recorded a unanimous vote to support the application and requested follow-up details on tenant protection and income thresholds.
"This is a resolution supporting application... to the New York Main Street program ... for a total of $489,400 for renovation of veil and veil office and housing space," the council packet summary read during the motion.
City staff said the applicant, Urban Core LLC, proposes to renovate ground-floor retail and upper-floor housing, producing around 18 housing units. The deputy director of economic development said the city has experience with the Main Street program: "I believe the D A DIA has received 3, of the New York State Main Street grants," the staff presenter said in response to council questions about prior city grant awards.
Councilors asked about affordability controls and project management. When asked whether the renovations would be regulated affordable housing, staff said the project would be subject to state program requirements and that they would return with the specific income thresholds. "We may have... I believe it is 80% AMI, but let us dig for that detail and find it for you and send it to you," staff said.
The developer and owner were identified in the meeting materials as Urban Core LLC, and the staff presenter identified the managing principal as John Gutridge, who the presenter said "has a pretty extensive experience with state grant programs" and currently owns nearby properties.
The resolution passed unanimously at the special session. Council asked staff to follow up with details about ground-floor tenant protections during construction and to confirm the specific income limits that would govern affordability if the state grant requires it.
Why it matters: The Main Street grant supports downtown commercial and upper-floor housing rehabilitation; if awarded and combined with financing, the project could add to the city's supply of regulated affordable housing. Council recorded a unanimous vote to support the application and requested follow-up details on tenant protection and income thresholds.
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