Varna development will bring people home

As another Varna resident, I would like to weigh in on the discussion regarding the proposed INHS affordable housing development on the eyesore property at the corner of Dryden Road (Route 366) and Freese Road. I am a retired nurse and have worked for not for profit organizations for 25 years or more. My current rent is more than 30% of my monthly income, and I am grateful. Down the street, apartment rents are 150 to 200% higher than mine.

Several years ago, Jim Scally knocked on my door while he was campaigning for the Dryden Democrats. We talked at length about the future of Varna. He spoke about an idea that INHS would create an affordable housing project. He said, “We are all getting older. It would be great if as we age, we can downsize and move into an affordable place to live here in Varna.” I was really inspired by his words.

I put an application in to one of the senior housing residences that has a significant waiting list. However, I would really like to live in a multi-generational community and not an elder enclave. I would like to stay in Varna, on a bus route, so when the inevitable happens and it is not safe for me to drive my own car I can get around town.

I appreciate the concerns for school bus access, but I observe that school kids get on and off the bus safely at Hillside Acres and at the Varna Community Center for the afterschool program. I am sure that Ithaca City School Bus Transportation is committed to student safety and will adapt.

As the daughter and sister of building contractors, I believe that adequate assessment of site stability will be performed by the developer to assure that the buildings at that location will be securely located and not slide into the creek.

I am really pleased that this project includes 5 or 6 single family homes for purchase. INHS has created new home ownership opportunities as a priority in many of their recent projects.

When I worked as a nurse at the Guthrie Clinic on Hanshaw Road, many of the admin and nursing staff resided outside the county because it is too expensive to reside in Tompkins County. When I was a member of the UAW local 2300 years ago, most of the service workers at Cornell resided outside the county and commuted. Would it not be nice to bring these people home?

Mary-Ann Reeter, Varna