Parker School 2023

The City of Cortland is considering options for the future use of the former Parker School building.

Earlier this year, the Common Council approved a request for proposals (RFP) to find new ownership and development opportunities for the building. The City received one proposal - from Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS) - to develop quality housing for modest-income workers including single parents, retirees on fixed incomes, and people with intellectual, developmental and mobility needs. 

On June 8, 2023 the City held a public information session on the proposal, providing the community an opportunity to ask questions and address their concerns. Subsequently, the Common Council held two public hearing on July 18 and August 1 to provide additional opportunities for the public to address questions and concerns. 

After hearing the concerns expressed by residents about the proposal, Mayor Steve recommended that the Parker School Ad Hoc Planning Committee expand membership to include neighborhood residents and convene for the purpose of seeking additional proposals and options for future use of the building by developing and issuing a new request for proposals (RFP).

The ad hoc planning committee consists of the following people:

  • Troy Beckwith | Council Member - 7th Ward

  • Donna Curtain | Jewett Ave. resident

  • Billie Jean Goff | Halbert St. resident

  • Christine Gregory | School board & original Parker task force member    

  • Pat Lane | Council Member - 4th Ward

  • Brendan McGovern | Planning Commission member

  • Mary Clare Pennello | Council Member - 3rd Ward 

  • Katy Silliman | Council Member - 2nd Ward    

  • Scott Steve | Mayor 

  • Julie Ray | ZBA member    

  • Tony Testa | Halbert St. resident

Meeting notes from these discussions are available here.

Below is additional information relating to the City’s acquisition of the Parker School building and actions towards finding a viable use of it.

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On December 30, 2021, Mayor Tobin signed an agreement for the City of Cortland to purchase the former Parker School building and assume financial and operational responsibility for it. The building was purchased to provide space for the YWCA and CAPCO to provide child care services.

Eight months later, the YWCA and CAPCO announced their withdrawal from the project, stating the project was “financially impracticable and a questionable investment of taxpayers’ dollars.” 

Since then, the Common Council, Mayor Steve and the Parker School Advisory Committee have held numerous public discussions and about how give the new life to a vacant building in need of costly repair and maintenance. As part of these discussions, the Common Council has taken several steps noted below. Click hereto see a detailed timeline of public discussions and actions by the Common Council and Mayor.

In January 2023, after holding a public hearing, the Council voted unanimously to submit a Restore NY grant application for potential redevelopment of the former Parker School building for residential use. In May, the state announced the award of $2 million to the City for this purpose.

In February 2023, the Council voted unanimously to issue a request for proposals (RFP) to find new ownership and development opportunities for the building. The City received one response - from Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS) to develop housing that supports specific goals in the City’s Comprehensive Plan to increase quality housing for modest-income workers including single parents, retirees on fixed incomes, and people with intellectual, developmental and mobility needs.

On June 8, 2023, the City held a public meeting which included a presentation by INHS about their proposal and an opportunity for the community to ask questions and address their concerns. The City has posted a Q&A document to answer the questions raised. The document will be updated as further information is known.

Below are links to the documents referenced above and additional information related to Parker School. Additional information will be posted here as the Common Council discusses the issue and as more information becomes known.  

   

Parker School Timeline Highlights 2018 -2023

  • June 5, 2018 – The Cortland City School District Board of Education votes to close Parker Elementary School at
    the end of the 2018-19 school year.
  • June 19, 2018 – Mayor Tobin appoints a Parker School Task Force to “guide proper future investment.” The
    Mayor stated at the time that the City did not plan to purchase the building.
  • June 2019 - Parker Elementary School closes due to decreased student projections and cost of building
    maintenance and needed renovations.
  • May 22, 2019 - The YWCA and CAPCO presented plans at a public meeting for consolidated childcare services
    to be hosted at the site.
  • June 18, 2019 – The Parker School Task Force asks the City to take ownership of the building.
  • January 7, 2020 – The Common Council authorizes signing a purchase offer for the building.
  • March 31, 2020 - Sale of the school building is approved by city school district voters after a public campaign
    by Mayor Tobin, YWCA Executive Director Kelly Tobin and Parker School Task Force members.
  • June 9, 2020 – City school district voters approve a referendum to sell the building to the City of Cortland.
  • October 19, 2021 – The Common Council authorizes Mayor Tobin to sign a purchase agreement for the school
    building and to issue an RFP to rehabilitate it for child care services.
  • December 28, 2021 – Mayor Tobin signs a binding agreement to purchase the former Parker School building
    and for the City of Cortland to assume financial and operational responsibility for it.
  • December 30, 2021 – Mayor Tobin issues an RFP for design and engineering services to rehabilitate the building
    for child care.
  • September 28, 2022 – The YWCA and CAPCO withdraw from the project, stating the project was “financially
    impracticable and a questionable investment of taxpayers’ dollars.”
  • December 20, 2022 – The Common Council votes 8-0 to hold a public hearing on submission of a Restore NY
    grant application for potential redevelopment of the former Parker School building for residential use.
  • January 3, 2023 – The Common Council holds a public hearing on submission of a Restore NY grant application
    for potential redevelopment of the former Parker School building for residential use.
  • January 17, 2023 – The Common Council votes 6-0 authorizing submission of a $2 million Restore NY grant
    application for potential redevelopment of the former Parker School building for residential use.
  • February 7, 2023 – The Common Council votes 8-0 authorizing Mayor Steve to issue an RFP to find new
    ownership and development opportunities for the former school building.
  • May 2023 – NYS notifies the City of Cortland that it has approved the City’s $2 million Restore NY grant
    application for potential redevelopment of the former Parker School building for residential use.
  • June 8, 2023 – The City holds a public information meeting with a presentation by Ithaca Neighborhood Housing
    Services (INHS) on their proposal to create “workforce housing” to meet the need for quality housing for
    modest-income workers, supportive housing for people with intellectual and developmental needs, and
    accessible units for those with mobility needs.