SouthWorks is a people-focused place with purpose.
SouthWorks aims to build on Ithaca’s proud legacy of innovation, regeneration, and renewal by creating an inclusive, interconnected neighborhood for all Ithacans to realize their sense of community and shared experience.
Fostering prosperity and making an impact.
Aligning with the goals of the community should be at the forefront of modern development, especially at the neighborhood scale. Our team is committed to ensuring SouthWorks is accessible and inclusive, delivering a product that reflects the needs and desires of the community. SouthWorks seeks to set high standards for sustainability, workforce development, multi-modal transportation, mixed-income housing, and investment in Ithaca.
Housing
With over 900 housing units planned, the development will prioritize a mixed-income approach to expand access to attainable housing in Ithaca, New York. Outside of New York City, Ithaca is the second most expensive city in the state to rent a one-bedroom apartment, with a median monthly rent of $2,003 as of February 2022 (Dwellsy). Our proposed affordability mix—20% affordable, 40% workforce, and 40% market-rate housing— will provide a range of options to meet the needs of residents across income levels. By combining new construction with adaptive reuse, the project will ease housing pressures, support long-term community stability, and help reduce inequities in one of New York’s most unaffordable housing markets.
Sustainability at SouthWorks
At SouthWorks, our commitment to sustainability guides every step of the project as we work toward ambitious, eco-friendly goals. We’re actively exploring ways to upgrade aging infrastructure—water, sewer, fire safety, roads, and internet—with modern, sustainable solutions. By pursuing renewable energy options like solar, geothermal, hydrogen, battery storage, and wind, along with advanced electrification and a smart microgrid, we aim to position SouthWorks to be Net Zero-ready.
Transportation & Access
The vision for transportation at SouthWorks centers on connectivity, walkability, micro-mobility, and transit access, all designed to reduce reliance on gas-powered vehicles and ease the financial burden of car ownership. The development and design teams are collaborating with local transportation experts to ensure these modes are integrated thoughtfully into the site. SouthWorks will leverage its unique topography to become a key circulatory connector on South Hill, incorporating public transit access, safe infrastructure for bikes and scooters, the Gateway Trail linking four New York State parks, and vibrant outdoor gathering spaces. These features will support a healthier, more connected, and more sustainable way of moving through the community.
Environmental Remediation
The site has become one of the most environmentally investigated properties in New York state, with tens of millions of dollars being spent on its remediation from environmental impacts that occurred during its industrial past. Emerson Power Transmission discovered the prior contamination during their tenure and was made responsible by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for the environmental clean-up to industrial standards. L Enterprises funded additional remediation to bring the site up to residential standards. In 2019 DEC issued a Record of Decision (ROD) amendment for the site to allow for the new uses.
The investigative process for the site involved thousands of tests to trace the sources of contamination which were then contained or removed. After the work was complete, thorough testing was conducted to ensure that the contamination levels were no longer at harmful levels. The team was very rigorous in their investigation and remediation to ensure that there would be no future liabilities.
Some areas of the property were determined to have no impacts and now have unrestricted use that requires no additional monitoring. For the areas of concern, a Site Management Plan (SMP) was developed and approved by the DEC that will remain in effect in perpetuity. The SMP includes detailed requirements both for monitoring levels of contaminants and reporting. This ensures both the safe development of the property and to enable future commercial and residential uses.
Workforce Development
SouthWorks has agreed to build a local workforce by integrating training opportunities into construction through partnerships with on-site contractors and community programs, located in the SouthWorks Empowerment Center. Ascend Workforce Solutions and Livingston Associates will lead these efforts, connecting residents to union training and career pathways in construction and green energy trades. The project will support local contractors with employee recruitment, training, and retention. There is a requirement to source 75% of project labor from Tompkins County and adjacent counties, with a focus on hiring from WMBEs and SD/VOSBs. This approach strengthens the regional workforce and expands access to long-term, skilled trade careers.
Business Growth & Retention
We are inspired by the site’s history to create a place for innovation and creation. Utilizing space as a resource, we will retain local businesses & talent who otherwise would be forced to move away. We will also recruit complementary businesses, capital, & talent to Ithaca to bolster our community.