Council moves 2026 HUD entitlement action plan to consent after public support for Floral Avenue project

The Ithaca City Committee of the Whole on May 13 unanimously approved and sent to the consent agenda the city’s recommended 2026 HUD entitlement action plan, authorizing the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (IURA) to finalize allocations and make nonsubstantive corrections.

Alderman DeFendini read resolving language that the city is eligible for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships funding and that the IURA will administer the entitlement awards. The resolution authorizes IURA staff to “make non substantive adjustments to allocation amounts to fully assign all funds available down to the penny and correct any mathematical errors” and to amend the urban renewal plan to include funded 2026 activities.

The decision followed a public hearing that included vocal support for the Floral Avenue traffic-calming project. A 25‑year Floral Avenue resident told the committee that traffic volume and speed have increased with recent development and called raised crosswalks and other calming measures an “important step toward improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists.” Another commenter, Kelda McGurk, praised staff and thanked council and planning staff for advancing the Laurel Avenue project.

IURA staff reported firm HUD allocation numbers this year, 19 applications and 14 recommended for funding. Staff said 22 public comments were received during this funding cycle, with 20 in favor of Floral Avenue and two expressing partial concerns about the Henry Saint John project proposed by Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS).

Council members asked IURA to clarify concerns raised in written public comments about the Henry Saint John renovation. IURA staff said INHS currently owns that building and would need state funding for renovations; accepting state funds typically subjects a property to regulatory monitoring and occupancy rules, which could require subdividing larger units into smaller ones. Staff told the committee that current residents would not be displaced permanently: residents affected during renovation would be temporarily relocated and allowed to return to a resized unit, and when those units next become available they would be held affordable per the regulatory requirements.

Alderman DeFendini moved the resolution as written; Alderman Kirby seconded. With no recorded opposition, the committee approved the action plan and agreed to place it on the consent agenda for the full council meeting.

The resolution will be finalized on the consent agenda at the next council meeting; the IURA staff said it will confirm a small technical follow-up detail with INHS.