ITHACA, N.Y. — April 10, 2026 — The City of Ithaca closed the Seneca Street Parking Garage on Friday afternoon after falling concrete debris from the third floor to the sidewalk below raised safety concerns. An inspection by the Ithaca Engineering Department and the Ithaca Fire Marshal’s Office found the building’s facade to be “severely deteriorated and at high risk of failure,” according to a city release.
A sign was posted by the fire marshal outside the garage prohibiting occupancy, and a third-party engineering review will be conducted to assess the situation. In the meantime, sidewalks along Tioga Street, Seneca Street, and Aurora Street will remain closed, as well as the TCAT ‘Seneca at Commons’ bus stop. Temporary bus stops will be set up in front of the Hilton Garden Inn on East Seneca Street.
The city advises garage users to remove their vehicles as soon as possible, with the Tioga Street entrance remaining open for exit only. Garage users may relocate to the Green Street Parking Garage, where monthly permits will be honored. The closure comes as Downtown Ithaca is busy with the first Ithaca D.I.Y. Fest, a three-day music celebration featuring local bands.
The closure is a precautionary measure to ensure public safety, and pedestrians are reminded to exercise caution when crossing the street. The Ithaca Voice will provide updates on the situation as more information becomes available.
Source: ithacavoice.org (Hailea Potter)
