ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) – Tompkins County is partnering with an experienced nonprofit group to address shelter needs.
County Administrator Korsah Akumfi says Volunteers of America (VOA) Upstate New York, which has locations in Rochester and Binghamton, will assist in developing the county’s future dedicated shelter project. The county’s goal is to have VOA operate the shelter.
The county is currently in discussions with VOA about potentially operating this winter’s emergency cold weather shelter, which will now also be temporarily located at the Cherry Street site.
On Tues., Sept. 16, the Tompkins County Legislature pivoted from a previously agreed upon location off of route 13 on Commercial Avenue in Ithaca due to time and financial concerns. It was to be a partnership with the City of Ithaca, who intended to use it as a homeless services navigation hub during daytime hours.
The county is unable to use the same building they did last season because it’s due to be taken down as part of the Center of Government project. Staff rushed to get the Key Bank building in Ithaca ready for the 2024 winter after learning late that St. John’s Community Services on West State Street would close.
Officials say Commercial Avenue location, a former Burger King, would have required an estimated $600,000-$750,000 in renovations, and the county had serious concerns it would not be ready by the first freezing nights due to the amount of construction and permitting involved.
“Our job is to protect people on the first freezing night and to be good stewards of tax-payer dollars,” said Tompkins County Legislative Chair Dan Klein. “Cherry Street delivers both, and we welcome the city to join us there with its Navigation Hub.”
That sentiment was echoed by Tompkins County Facilities Director Arel LeMaro. “Renovating the Route 13 building would have required substantial investment in a site the county doesn’t own,” said LeMaro. “At Cherry Street, we can adapt existing space, meet safety standards, and be ready much sooner at substantially lower cost.”
County officials say using the Cherry Street site for a Code Blue shelter this winter will not delay or hinder the construction of the dedicated shelter project.
