Editor’s Note: The following is an opinion column written by Janet Steiner, a resident of Danby.
Steiner retired as director of the Tompkins Public Library in 2009. She has shopped on the Commons since 1980.
To submit a guest column, contact me at jstein@ithacavoice.com.
[fvplayer src=”https://vimeo.com/118744863″ loop=”fale” mobile=”https://vimeo.com/120846728″]
Learn How Ithaca Hummus Makes Its Magic
Ithaca, N.Y. — It was a beautiful sunny afternoon downtown. My husband and I were stopped at the stop light at the corner of Aurora and State Street, with Madeline’s restaurant on our left and Viva Taqueria straight ahead.
After checking for traffic, a young mother, holding a baby and two shopping bags stepped into the street on our left. As we watched her, to our horror, she tripped and fell to the street, on top of the baby. She instinctively held the baby’s head so it did not appear to hit the pavement, but it was certainly within one inch of doing so. She managed to rise, gather her belongings, and with the baby now crying, made her way to the triangle at that intersection.
We asked if she was ok. She was obviously shaken up, but responded that she thought she was alright. Others who witnessed this were also approaching her so we continued on our way.
Later we went back to see what had caused her to fall. It was obvious. The new curbing has been set, but no sidewalk, and a large piece of the street missing, about 1 – 2 inches deep, with only gravel laid down.
Having walked the Commons many times recently, I am well aware that the construction site, which technically is behind fencing, is not contained there, but has spilled over into the pedestrian walkways on both sides. Pedestrians must look down at all times to avoid tripping, stumbling or falling. Window shopping is not an option.
The falling young mother and baby made me realize how much of a danger zone we are still being submitted to if we choose to shop downtown. Yes, progress is being made, but we are still months away from a completed and safe Commons. I, for one, will avoid it until then.
— Janet Steiner
214 Buttermilk Lane
Ithaca NY 14850
Previous Ithaca Voice coverage of the new Commons
Editorial: If Bank Alley is any sign, new Ithaca Commons will be awesome – There they were: Shoppers. On the Ithaca Commons. In the flesh.
Ithaca Voice
3 Ithaca Commons shops going out of business; construction blamed – Three downtown Ithaca shops are going out of business — and at least two of their owners say the over-budget and delayed Commons construction project is to blame. Ithaca Voice
New report: Over 60 percent of downtown Ithaca retailers saw sales, foot traffic drop in 2014 – A new report shows that more than 60 percent of retailers in downtown Ithaca saw foot traffic and sales decline both during the last holiday season and throughout 2014. Ithaca VOice
After Commons crews break window, Ithaca merchant picks humor over anger – Stacey Payette was with her mother last Friday morning when she got a call from an unknown number. Ithaca Voice
Officials: Simeon’s crash, other factors again delay completion date for Commons redesign – The completion date for the Ithaca Commons redesign has been pushed into next year. Ithaca Voice
In sweeping speech, Mayor Myrick says new Commons will be best downtown in U.S. – In an address that drew from sources ranging from Abraham Lincoln to Fyodor Dostoevsky. Ithaca Voice
Mayor Myrick on 4 big issues, including the Commons, truck safety, and Cornell – “This problem happens often enough with tragic enough consequences that we have to act on it. But we have to be careful not to overreact,” Myrick says of truck safety. Ithaca Voice
Amid construction, Commons hot dog vendor asks for old spot back – Louis “Lou” Cassaniti wheeled out his equipment Wednesday morning for another day of grilling. Ithaca Voice
Ithaca Commons business owners pack City Hall, lamenting construction – A few dozen people, including many Ithaca Commons business owners, packed City Hall on Wednesday to express dissatisfaction with the Commons construction project. Ithaca Voice
Ithaca delays completion date for part of Commons construction project – Unexpected delays have pushed back the projected completion date for the surface of the western stretch of the Commons into the spring. Ithaca Voice
Reopening festivities for Ithaca Commons scheduled for Aug. 28-29 – Ithacans have earned their stripes this year, putting up with frigid weather and snow. Key West we aren’t. Ithaca Voice
New balconies considered for rebuilt Simeon’s on Ithaca Commons – Could the rebuilt Simeon’s Restaurant include two new balconies? Ithaca Voice
Reference to Greek myth proves unconvincing as Ithaca rejects dogs on Commons – Seth Sicroff reached far into the literary canon Wednesday night as he tried to persuade Ithaca’s council to allow dogs to walk on the newly renovated Commons. Ithaca Voice
After 17 years, Jabberwock head shop moving off Ithaca Commons – The head shop Jabberwock is moving off of the Ithaca Commons after 17 years, according to the store’s staff. Ithaca Voice