10-25-12

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INDEPENDENT SINCE 1880

The Corne¬ Daily Sun Vol. 129, No. 46

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

$30M Commons Bldg Could Transform City

!

ITHACA, NEW YORK

20 Pages – Free

Guilty as charged

Developer: Plan will keep city’s character

By SARAH SASSOON Sun Staff Writer

As part of a broader project to revive the Commons, a company announced a plan Wednesday for a $30 million project called “Harold’s Square” downtown, according to a press release. The project, which will be funded privately for the most part, would add a 126,000 square foot complex that will contain retail, office and residential space in downtown Ithaca. Gary Ferguson, FERGUSON executive director of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, said he hopes the new development will increase density in the core of the Commons while still maintaining the “character” of Ithaca. “[The project] is a fascinating example of a downtown urban project that does density well and really tries to help preserve the streetscape,” Ferguson said. Two historic buildings will be preserved: the Home Dairy Building and the Sage Block, which once housed Benchwarmers, a restaurant and sports

bar. The buildings to be replaced are currently vacant, according to a press release. “We’re restoring a key part of Ithaca’s history that once housed the office of 19th century architect William Henry Miller,” said David Lubin, president and co-owner of L Enterprises, LLC, and owner of the spaces that will be renovated and redeveloped. “At the same time, we’re replacing three primarily singlestory buildings that, while may be part of people’s cherished memories, including my own, can’t meet downtown’s need for more housing, shopping choices and modern office space.” The new building will have two main entrances, one on the Commons and the other facing Green Street, according to the press release. A three-story atrium running through the building will link the two areas. L Enterprises, LLC will follow U.S. Green Building Council LEED guidelines, according to the press release. The project will emphasize “energy efficiency, natural light, healthy work and living spaces” and will incoporate “natural green rooftop elements on … a portion of the project,” the release said. While Ferguson told The Sun that the project is not Ithaca’s first “green” See COMMONS page 4

JOHN MARSHALL MANTEL / THE NEW YORK TIMES

Rajat Gupta, a former member of Weill-Cornell Medical College’s board of overseers, was sentenced to two years in prison on Wednesday for conspiracy and securities fraud.

Signs of Apathy,Interest At Frats’ Sexual Assault Forum By EMMA COURT Sun Senior Writer

Though some became active participants, many fraternity members required to join a conversation Wednesday about consent and sexual assault prevention spent much of it, to the disappointment of some of the event’s organizers, on their phones and laptops instead. Though the Interfraternity Council

required that each of the 39 fraternity chapters at Cornell send 10 members — meaning that more than 400 people should have been at the event — only about 200 people attended the Sexual Assault Prevention Forum, according to IFC President Chris Sanders ’13. One sign that the men were reluctant to participate in the conversation was their

Illuminating Night,Univ.Unites Against Bias,Assaults By KERRY CLOSE Sun News Editor

Shortly after 9 p.m. on Wednesday, several hundred members of the Cornell community gathered in front of Willard Straight Hall. They stood shoulder to shoulder, in relative darkness, holding glowsticks that, when lit, engulfed Ho Plaza in a

’13. Co-sponsored by more than 50 student organizations, the event featured a variety of speakers and concluded with a recruitment session for student groups that promote sexual assault prevention and social justice. Shrouded by the light of the glowsticks, attendees listened to anec-

not solve all the safety issues on campus. Blue glowsticks will not resolve some of the structural issues or hurdles in our society,” Gitlin said. “But the event and the glowsticks are symbolic of so much more … Tonight is a recognition of [the fact that] over

hundreds of students … can commit ourselves to strengthening our community.” Skorton –– who stood in the crowd for the majority of the event –– also emphasized the importance of creating a strong community in the face of the recent inci-

dents. “We have all to learn from each other, we have all to lean on each other, we have all to learn each other’s language and hear and listen and really hear,” he said. “We have to pull together. We have See ILLUMINATE page 4

Penny Pinching

Cornell officials expect to save money by dropping two of the five healthcare providers offered to University employees. | Page 3

Opinion Give Me Freedom

Jimothy Singh ’13 reveals a few tips found in the Cummunist Manifesto, hoping to free students from the capitalist parkas of society. | Page 9

Loving Who Was Red?

Teresa Kim ’15 attempts to decipher the the lucky man behind the songs on Taylor Swift’s new album, Red.

Adam Gitlin ’13 dotes and reflections that included students with personal experiences of bias on campus and University President David Skorton. Organizers emphasized that the event was not designed to develop a concrete solution to addressing issues of sexual assault and bias on campus. “Tonight’s event will

News

Arts

“Blue glowsticks will not resolve some of the structural issues or hurdles in our society.” sea of blue. The gathering, called “Illuminate the Night,” was organized by the Cornell Caring Community and served as a public opportunity for Cornellians to support each other in the wake of recent incidents of sexual assault and bias on campus, according to Student Assembly President Adam Gitlin

See IFC page 5

| Page 12

Sports Posting Up

After an extra week to prepare for their game against Post, the sprint football team hopes for a win this weekend. | Page 20

Weather MATT MUNSEY / SUN STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Skorton takes a stand | President Skorton speaks at the Cornell Caring Community’s ‘Illuminate the Night’ event on the Arts Quad on Wednesday evening.

Sunny HIGH: 70 LOW: 58


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10-25-12 by The Cornell Daily Sun - Issuu