ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) – A familiar face is asking Tompkins County lawmakers to consider a major project pivot.

At the September 16 meeting of the Legislature, retired lawmaker and former Legislative Chair Martha Robertson pitched Harold’s Square on the Ithaca Commons as a suitable alternative location for the Tompkins County Center of Government.

She says the space, location, and current state of the building are a good fit.

Robertson, who was on the Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency that approved the Harold’s Square project, explains that she’s getting involved because the building is underutilized.

Robertson adds not only could the building be done much cheaper and faster, but the developer, David Lubin of L Enterprises, and his partners, are on board.

David Lubin’s company, L Enterprises, is also behind the massive Southworks project at the former Emerson Power site in Ithaca.

Jim McGuire is David Lubin’s partner on the Harold’s Square project. He says retrofitting the building could come in as low as half of the projected $50 million construction budget for the North Tioga Street location.

McGuire adds the building could provide a stable choice in a time where construction costs and project lengths are not certain.

Additionally, McGuire feels the building could provide even more flexibility going forward as artificial intelligence’s effect on the modern workplace increases.

Tompkins County Legislator Randy Brown chairs the Downtown Special Facilities Committe leading the planning process for the current Center of Government project. The county recently shared Holt Architects and Fischer Associates early design drafts.

Brown, who has toured the Harold’s Square facility, recently indicated on Ithaca’s Morning News that he would ultimately vote “no” on the proposed construction at the North Tioga Street location.

You can watch the full September 16 Tompkins County Legislature meeting here.