Council hears urgent calls to address safety, sanitation at Asteri and downtown

At its June 4 meeting, the Ithaca Common Council heard repeated public pleas and a county offer of help to address safety and sanitation problems at the Asteri residential building and across downtown Ithaca.

County Legislator Rich John, chair of the Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency, told the council the county "would be very happy to work with the city to try to address issues" at the Asteri and that the county is prepared to collaborate on parking, housing studies and emergency medical services planning.

Members of the public, property owners and the Downtown Ithaca Alliance said the problems at Asteri and on the commons are harming businesses and public life. Zachary Wynne, a frequent public speaker, said the Asteri fire being investigated as arson follows a string of stairwell fires since the building opened and has left stairwells and common areas unsanitary. "Several people have died of overdoses in the building among numerous assaults and drug arrest," Wynne said, and he urged elected officials to demand accountability from the building’s owner, the Visino Group.

Nan Rohrer, chief executive officer of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, told the council the BID represents more than 160 property owners and called for "clean garages, working street lights, clear enforcement on the commons, action against illegal businesses, and accountability for property owners like Fasino." Business owners and DIA board members said trash, graffiti, human waste and brazen drug activity are reducing foot traffic and prompting long‑standing establishments to consider leaving downtown.

Council members and staff discussed possible next steps. Legislator John said the county recently authorized a consultant to examine emergency medical services across Tompkins County and invited the city to participate. He also said the IDA is commissioning a housing study with a stronger focus on workforce housing and that the IDA prefers to coordinate with municipal partners on development incentives such as CTAP.

Council members emphasized care for residents living at Asteri while pressing for stronger enforcement from property owners and program partners. Alderperson Phoebe Fabrizio and others urged that the IDA and city use every available leverage, including possible "clawback authority" on tax abatement agreements, to ensure project promises are met.

The council did not adopt new policies at the meeting specifically on Asteri. Instead speakers requested more city–county collaboration, an updated memorandum of understanding between the city and the DIA on downtown cleaning and safety, and stronger oversight of property owners whose buildings draw repeated emergency responses.

Looking ahead, Legislator John invited residents to the IDA meeting the following week and said the county hopes to work with municipal partners on both housing and emergency medical services planning.