![Senator Headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_small/public/02-10-15_official_hs_omara-hs-040_0.jpg?itok=gJ9N77KJ)
O’Mara notes announcement of September 15 auction for site of DOT maintenance facility in Tompkins County: Has long supported city and county redevelopment effort
August 12, 2020
-
ISSUE:
- Community Development
![Throughout the longstanding effort by the city of Ithaca and Tompkins County, Senator O’Mara has strongly supported the relocation of the DOT maintenance facility at the end of Third Street in the city. Throughout the longstanding effort by the city of Ithaca and Tompkins County, Senator O’Mara has strongly supported the relocation of the DOT maintenance facility at the end of Third Street in the city.](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/article/main-image/dotmaintenancefacility.png?itok=64OYOicK)
Ithaca, N.Y., August 12—Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) today welcomed progress on the future redevelopment of state-owned land in the city at the site of the state Department of Transportation (DOT) maintenance facility, which has long been viewed as central to the city’s long-term waterfront redevelopment strategy.
O’Mara pointed to a legal notice in today’s Ithaca Journal announcing that the state Office of General Services (OGS) will auction the property on September 15.
“We have been working toward the redevelopment of this property for many, many years and so it’s good to see this progress. I have welcomed opportunities throughout this time to work with city, county and state officials to help secure resources to assess the economic and community development value of the property, help facilitate the relocation of the DOT facility and, overall, highlight this project as an exciting place for waterfront redevelopment,” said O’Mara, whose 58th Senate District encompasses a part of Tompkins County including the city and town of Ithaca.
Throughout the longstanding effort by the city of Ithaca and Tompkins County, O’Mara has strongly supported the relocation of the DOT maintenance facility at the end of Third Street in the city. In 2014, he helped the county secure a state Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Grant to conduct a key study assessing the feasibility of the relocation.
O’Mara has consistently highlighted the nearly eight-acre waterfront property on the Cayuga Inlet as the most valuable waterfront location in the city for redevelopment as a mixed-use site that could bolster the local economy, improve waterfront access for residents and visitors alike, and help generate local revenues.
The state has owned the property since the 1970s.
The DOT is currently relocating its maintenance facility to a new location near the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport. The move is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Share this Article or Press Release
Newsroom
Go to Newsroom![“Kathryn Boor has earned and deserves this recognition. She exemplifies everything that the Senate’s ‘Woman of Distinction’ tribute honors in public service," said Senator O'Mara. In the above photo on the rostrum in the Senate Chamber, from left to right: Senator O'Mara, Dean Kathryn Boor and her husband, Martin.](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/article/main-image/wod-chamber.jpg?itok=yCxO8RYj)
![“Awareness and education, prevention and treatment are fundamental responses. But so are tough laws and law enforcement, especially when it comes to heroin traffickers and dealers,” said Senator O’Mara.](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/article/main-image/heroin-web-banner.png?itok=pbf-7fvx)
![From left to right at Saturday's spring meeting of the Audubon Council of New York State: Don Hall, Chemung Valley Audubon Society; Ana Paula Tavares, Executive Director of Audubon New York; Senator O’Mara; Virginia Stowe, Audubon New York Board Chair; and Marsilia Boyle, Audubon Council Board Chair and Audubon New York Board Member.](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/article/main-image/audubon-award_newweb.jpg?itok=IqqQosR5)