As most every Ithacan is aware, the new Commons is finally finished. The final phase of its construction began in April 2013 and ended on August 28 this year. All said and done, the renovations cost approximately $12 million.
There has been a slew of regular celebrations following the revival of the Commons, including the annual Apple Fest, Ithaca Oktoberfest, and Parents’ Weekend, which saw an influx of Cornellian families swarm onto the Commons. This year has seen the addition of a Diagon Alley Harry Potter celebration on Halloween, which coincided with Parents’ Weekend. With all of the recent exposure it’s been getting, now is surely the best time to reflect on the new Commons. What does the new Commons offer us that the old one did not? What are the reasons for its renovations? What do I miss about the old Commons? Lastly, what is the future of the great community center looking forward, and how can the city best utilize it?
The greatest change for the experienced Commons stroller is undoubtedly the great openness the new Commons provides. Compared with the old battery of roofed-in concrete and wood structures that provided shade, the new Commons is open and unprotected, no longer holding pavilions but flower beds, parks, and the occasional sapling. This renovation seems long overdue when you consider that the Commons in its previous form was built in 1975: a relic of the 1970s urban-renewal era. It was reported to have been one of thirty remaining “pedestrian malls” in the Northeast. Now, we are entering a new phase of urban renewal. The timing of the new Commons’ completion seems to coincide perfectly with a plethora of other downtown projects, such as the construction of a new hotel and the modification of the building currently housing Old Goat Gear Exchange. Downtown Ithaca seems to be lurching into the future.
The task of renewal was multifaceted in its goals. Firstly, it sought to replace and modernize the ancient plumbing and utilities underneath the Commons. Secondly, it sought to replace the uneven paving of the Commons itself, which the city had concerns about as a dangerous tripping hazard. The modernizations allow for a clear line of sight through the Commons and provide a channel for fire trucks and safety vehicles to easily access the Commons in case of an emergency. They also allow for restaurants to have more open dining. City leaders point to the architectural minimalism of the Commons as a way to draw focus to Ithaca’s historical buildings and shops. Overall, it seems that those behind the renovations wish to present a new Ithaca, one that is growing and adapting to modern life.
Perhaps there is something lacking in all the renovation that is characteristic of the old Commons. Many of the Commons’ former sculptures have been moved away. The embedded trolley-car tracks are gone, replaced only by imprints in stone. Tangible memories have been wiped away. But what about the future? Since its recent unveiling, the Commons has seen heavy foot traffic with all the recent festivals. Soon to come is the Great Downtown Ithaca Chili Cook-off in early February. Do people come to the Commons for the new design? Or do they only come in search of chili? That is, can the Commons endure without the help of festivals? Is the new community space alluring enough on its own to bring the community together without the aid of a prearranged cause? Will the new Commons survive the test of time? Only the coming months can tell us.