On August 1, 2018, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced 13 transformative projects as part of the ROC the Riverway initiative to revitalize the underutilized area along the Genesee River in downtown Rochester.
Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, “Renewed access to the Genesee River is part of ROC the Riverway’s strategy for a revitalized downtown Rochester, with the city’s natural assets creating a ripple effect that will draw visitors and businesses and boost the local economy.”
The projects came at the recommendation of the appointed ROC the Riverway advisory panel, which created a new Vision Plan to prioritize the transformation of the area through targeted public and private investments. The advisory panel was created in February of this year as part of the Governor’s announcement of $50 million in state support for the initiative (announced here in REVITALIZATION).
“ROC the Riverway is a critical initiative poised to tap into the potential of downtown Rochester’s Genesee River waterfront,” Governor Cuomo said. “This plan will not only drive tourism and spur economic investment, but it will also encourage investment and help keep the Finger Lakes moving forward for generations to come.”
The panel, led by Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chairs—Monroe Community College President Anne Kress and Rochester Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bob Duffy—launched a multi-faceted effort to create a comprehensive plan to revitalize the riverfront.
These efforts solicited input from the community and from area stakeholders, and focused on projects that will restore the health and vitality of the river, focus on area connectivity, public art and education, and protect environmental, cultural, historic and natural resources in the area.
Assembly Majority Leader Joseph D. Morelle said, “Our community’s history is deeply connected to the riverway and so too is our future. By reimagining and redeveloping Rochester’s waterfront we will realize the full economic potential of the Genesee River, enhance quality of life and recreation opportunities for residents and visitors all while continuing to protect and celebrate a vital environmental asset.”
The ROC the Riverway initiative will also support the city’s newly updated Local Waterfront Revitalization Program plan which aims to attract millennials, enhance recreational opportunities, and drive growth along the waterfront.
“Significant investments in Rochester are helping to build the city, and projects as part of ‘ROC the Riverway’ will propel that transformation to new levels,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. “New York is proud to partner with communities like Rochester and implement plans for revitalization to benefit residents and grow the economy. Enhancing the area along the river in downtown will create new opportunities and further advance the Finger Lakes Forward strategy to revive the area.”
The ROC the Riverway Vision Plan organizes the targeted area into three sections of riverfront with specific goals:
Downtown:
- Trail connectivity at consistent elevation throughout downtown, connecting the former Aqueduct terrace with the Blue Cross Arena; and renovation of Charles Carroll Plaza
The South River:
- Increasing boating activity;
- Re-naturalization of the river’s edge; and
- River oriented development.
High Falls Area:
- Recreation, adventure, green energy; and
- Re-stabilization of Pont de Rennes.
Projects Recommended for the $50 Million State Commitment:
- Aqueduct Re-Imagined ($4.5 million) – This project will create a commitment to remove the Broad Street bridge top, with funding dedicated to complete final design, including of new riverway segments on both sides of the Aqueduct from Court Street to Main Street.
- Rundel Library North Terrace ($1.5 million) – The North Terrace has been closed due to structural issues and has created a public safety issue. Funding will make necessary repairs to reopen the North Terrace for outdoor library rooms, café spaces and programming opportunities.
- Blue Cross Arena ($6 million) – This funding will create an exterior river terrace, opening up views to the river from within the arena, along with other major renovations to the arena’s dated infrastructure. Today marks the first day that the arena is under the management of Pegula Sports and Entertainment, which recently entered into a temporary agreement with the City of Rochester to operate the venue.
- Convention Center ($5 million) – Funding will continue needed renovations to attract more competitive convention and other business, by building upon past renovations to the escalator system and river terrace with a renewed focus on connecting the facility to the riverfront.
- Riverway Main to Andrews ($20 million) – Funding will renovate Charles Carroll Park, Crossroads Garage, Crossroads Park and the Sister Cities Pedestrian Bridge, significantly enhancing connectivity for non-motorized modes of transportation on both sides of the river from Main Street to Andrews Street.
- Front Street Promenade ($1.25 million) – Funding will be used to build a promenade along the river from Andrews Street to the Inner Loop. This, combined with a proposed mixed use development on Front Street, will build upon existing and future investments in the area.
- ROC City Skate Park ($1 million) – A new public skate park will be built under the I-490 Douglass-Anthony Bridge with direct access to the Riverway Trail and adjoining the Downtown and South Wedge neighborhoods. The City of Rochester also just received word that it has been awarded a “Built to Play” Grant for $250,000 for the project from the Tony Hawk Foundation.
- Genesee Gateway Park ($2 million) – Funding will improve the existing Genesee Riverway Trail by expanding park river access to the South Wedge neighborhood, building upon existing development projects along Mt. Hope Avenue and the South Wedge.
- Corn Hill Navigation ($250,000) – Corn Hill Navigation operates tour boats on sections of the Erie Canal. Funds will provide additional resources for a new boat to generate activity in the South River area.
- High Falls Terrace Park / Brewery Line Trail ($1 million) – One of the City’s oldest parks, High Falls Terrace Park has not been used to its maximum capacity. Funds will create a new trail, the Brewery Trail Line, which will be located along the park and near the Genesee Brewery, connecting and further serving the area. Funds will also be used to upgrade the existing park and trails, creating access to and views of High Falls.
- Pont de Rennes Bridge ($4 million) – Funding will make needed structural repairs to the existing bridge, funding design and construction of improvements to the bridge.
- Running Track Bridge ($500,000) – The Running Track Bridge is a former rail bridge that is currently abandoned. Funding will modernize the bridge for future phases to link pedestrian access between neighborhoods including El Camino, Edgerton and High Falls.
- Downtown/Riverfront Management Entity ($3 million) – The panel is also recommending the creation of a management entity, which is critical for the long-term success, sustainability and programming. Funding would be used to study what kind of management entity would work best for Rochester, with primary responsibilities to include:
- Programming
- Maintenance
- Marketing
- Public art, amenities
- Infrastructure
- Development for the initiative
Each project was selected following a series of open meetings and is consistent with the strategic plan presented by the City of Rochester. All contracts for work supporting these projects will be subject to public bidding through an open, fair, and competitive process.
Anne Kress and Bob Duffy said, “We would like to thank everyone who took part in the amazing process. This was truly a collaborative effort as the advisory panel worked together with the community and with regional stakeholders to put together a plan which we believe is a solid way forward for the transformative “ROC the Riverway” plan. This initiative will continue to build on the magnificent transformation that is already happening in Rochester’s new Downtown Innovation Zone, which is helping to create an exciting environment where people, young and old, want to live, work and play.”
The Rochester announcement complements “Finger Lakes Forward,” the region’s comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The State has already invested more than $5.2 billion in the region since 2012 to lay the groundwork for the plan – investing in key industries including photonics, agriculture and food production, and advanced manufacturing. Today, unemployment is down to the lowest levels since before the Great Recession; personal and corporate income taxes are down; and businesses are choosing places like Rochester, Batavia and Canandaigua as a destination to grow and invest in.
Now, the region is accelerating Finger Lakes Forward with a $500 million State investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, announced by Governor Cuomo in December 2015. The State’s $500 million investment will incentivize private business to invest well over $2.5 billion – and the region’s plan, as submitted, projects up to 8,200 new jobs.
Photo of downtown Rochester via Adobe Stock.