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DOWNTOWN TO GET A GROCERY STORE
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PATRIOT PROPERTIES SUCCEEDS AT TOUGH PROJECTS
Patriot Properties has been quietly growing its investment portfolio in downtown Rochester, as well as its reputation for taking on tough restoration projects that return buildings to their former glory.
The company just completed a $8.9 million renovation of the old East Avenue Commons apartment building, which it has renamed "One Eleven on East". Click here to view photos of the renovated foyer and apartment units, and visit their Facebook page. The building's 245 units are fully leased with a waiting list.
| The foyer staircase at One Eleven on East |
But the best may be yet to come. The company is also in the midst of a $16 million rehab of the Nation Clothing Co. building (shown below), where it will open a Hilton Garden Inn on the corner of Main & Stone Streets next year ("Hilton Hotel Planned Downtown" - RBJ 5/4/13).
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D&C KEEPS ITS STAKE IN DOWNTOWN
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DOWNTOWN MARKET REPORTS RELEASED
In October, RDDC released its annual downtown housing and office space market reports. The following is a summary of what's happening in the marketplace:
-- In 2013, an estimated $755 million is being invested in downtown
-- The downtown office market is soft, but improving in all categories
-- 6,000 people are living downtown now, and 1,600 more are moving in over the next few years
-- New downtown housing projects are leasing up rapidly
-- Big, blockbuster projects are changing the downtown landscape
-- Two new business incubators are locating downtown
Click here to view a 4-page summary booklet of the survey findings and downtown development, and click on the links below to view the full reports.
2013 Survey of Downtown Office Space
2013 Downtown Housing Market Report
Read more in news coverage of the reports release:
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STEADY PROGRESS AT SIBLEY
WinnDevelopment's $200 million renovation of the historic Sibley Building on Main Street has begun in earnest. Inside, millions have already been invested in security upgrades, escalator repairs, and a new police substation. Outside, recent improvements like new windows, awnings, flags, signs & holiday window displays make it apparent to the passerby that the building is being given new life.
"People have a very strong emotional attachment to the Sibley complex, and to see that come back in a way that is beautiful...these things are difficult to measure."
-Heidi Zimmer-Meyer, President, RDDC
Read more and keep track of progress:
Www.thesibleybuilding.com
Sibley Building Facebook Page
Past and Present Photos
"Sibley Building Restoration to Begin in Earnest" - D&C 10/3/14
"Deep Inside Rochester's Big Old Sibley Building" - RochesterSubway 10/4/13
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NEW LOCATION FOR ROC CITY SKATEPARK
Friends of RocCity Skatepark recently announced a new planned location for the future Park: Genesee Crossroads Park along the river in the heart of downtown. Benefits of the move include a more central location, funding availability tied to another City project, and less red tape that might have slowed the project down (the new location will be on City-owned property while the old location under interstate 490 on South Ave. was New York State owned property).
Learn more and keep keep up with developments:
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AIRIGAMI TO BUILD MASSIVE BALLOON MANOR AT SIBLEY
Another new, one-of-a-kind event is coming to downtown Rochester! From February 1 - 9, world-class balloon artists at Airigami are planning to build Balloon Manor, a five-story, 50,000+ balloon structure of Jack and his Beanstalk, in the atrium of The Sibley Building. Viewing of the construction and finished product will be free and open to the public. They have planned the event to coincide with a Convention that will bring 400 balloon artists from all over the world who will assist with the project.
Learn more:
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FLOUR GARDEN IN HIGH FALLS TO BECOME REALITY
Friends of the GardenAerial, a non-profit group dedicated to creating a world-class tourist site at High Falls, recently got word of funding through the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council that will allow them to move forward with the FlourGarden this spring. The group also recently purchased a piece of land property adjacent to the Falls that is key to their plans for future development of the site.
| A schematic of the planned sunken "FlourGarden" to be built along Brown's Race in High Falls |
Learn more:
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FULL STEAM AHEAD ON A DOWNTOWN BID
Since 2011, RDDC has been leading an initiative to explore a Business Improvement District (BID) for downtown Rochester. A BID is a defined district with a self-imposed "common area maintenance fee", which underwrites enhanced services that property owners and businesses want and that city government is unable to provide.
Learn more about BIDs and background on the initiative to establish one in downtown Rochester:
"Business Improvement District Could Bolster Downtown" - RochesterSubway 10/22/13
Video Presentation: Downtown BID Update - RDDC Member Briefing 11/13/13
This past fall, RDDC implemented a public input phase that featured an online "Downtown Satisfaction Survey" survey (completed by 1,859 people), as well as focus groups with key constituencies (attended by over 100 people). The goal was to understand the level of satisfaction with the current state of services, and to garner ideas for what downtown needs.
This input is currently being analyzed and will inform the development of a District Plan that will spell out the proposed services, budget & governance of a potential downtown BID. Stay tuned!
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FROZEN FRONTIER A WILD SUCCESS
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FOOD TRUCK PILOT EXTENDED
At its Dec 17 meeting, City Council voted to extend the Food Truck Pilot Program through March 31, 2014 while the City decides whether and where to expand the Program. In the meantime, downtown workers, residents and visitors can continue to enjoy the mobile cuisine offered at these three locations:
- Andrews Street Bridge
- Corner of South Ave & Broad St
- Corner of State St & Platt St
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DOWNTOWN INFO CENTER CLOSES, FUNCTION RE-DEFINED
Downtown Special Services, Inc. (DSSI) Board of Directors made the decision to permanently close the Downtown Information Center as of 12/31/13 after 13 years of operation at the corner of East Main and St. Paul Streets. The primary reason for this decision is that fixed-location information centers around the country are being increasingly replaced by alternative vehicles such as mobile apps, Facebook, and Twitter. People are increasingly relying on social media and hand-held devices to get local information when they travel. As a result, use of the Information Center by walk-in visitors has been waning over the past few years.
A re-energized Information Team will be pursuing new, more aggressive ways to make getting information on downtown venues and events easier. You can reach the team at 585-232-3420 or [email protected]. Questions about DSSI's services and programs can be directed to Executive Director Heidi Zimmer-Meyer at 263-6950 or [email protected].
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SIGN ON TO SPONSOR URBAN NIGHTS SERIES
Get on board to sponsor the 2014 Urban Nights series showcasing new and unique downtown restaurants and event venues! A $500 sponsorship for the entire event series includes:
- Your company logo and website link on the electronic invitation sent to our email list of 3,000+ downtown stakeholders for each of the 6-8 events in the series
- 6 complimentary tickets to use at any of the Urban Nights events throughout the year
Urban Nights events are promoted throughout the year on www.rochesterdowntown.com (which gets tens of thousands of unique visitors a year), as well as Downtown Rochester on Facebook and Twitter.
For more information about sponsoring Urban Nights, contact us at 546-6920 or [email protected].
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JANUARY 2014 EDITION
IN THIS ISSUE:
-Grocery Store Plans
-Patriot Properties Projects
-D&C to Stay Downtown
-Market Reports Released
-Progress at Sibley
-Roc City Skatepark Re-Lo
-Balloon Manor at Sibley
-FlourGarden Project
-Downtown BID Update
-Frozen Frontier Wows
-Food Truck Pilot Extended
-Downtown Info Ctr Closes
-Urban Nights Sponsorship
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Get real-time, daily news about what's happening downtown on Facebook and Twitter!
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SAVE THE DATE FOR DOWNTOWN FESTIVALS & EVENTS IN 2014!
High Falls Film Festival
April 25 & 26 ("mini-fest")
Flower City Half Marathon
April 26 & 27
The Color Run
May 24
East End Music Festival
June 13
Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival
June 20-28
Greentopia Festival
September 9-14
First Niagara Fringe Festival
September 18-27
ImageOut Film & Video Festival
October 10-19
High Falls Film Festival
October 23-26
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UPCOMING RDDC EVENTS
Urban Nights - Havana Cabana
Tuesday, January 14
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
$12 - RDDC Members
$15 - Non-members
Urban Nights - Fraiche
Tuesday, February 25
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
$12 - RDDC Members
$15 - Non-members
Urban Nights - Tavern 58
Tuesday, March 11
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
$12 - RDDC Members
$15 - Non-members
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DOWNTOWN RESTAURANT OPENINGS
Aunt Rosie's
350 E. Main St.
Neighborhood: Midtown District
www.auntrosies.com
Harvest Coffee Shop
298 Exchange Blvd.
Neighborhood: Corn Hill
www.harvest-cafe.com
Havana Cabana
289 Alexander St.
Neighborhood: East End
www.havanacabana.com
Sapori Caf� & Catering
16 W. Main St. (Powers Building)
Neighborhood: Four Corners
www.sapori-rochester.com
Shui Asian Fusion
236 University Ave.
Neighborhood: East End
www.shuirochester.com
The Grill at ONE
One Ryan Alley
Neighborhood: East End
www.oneryan.com
Torres Caf� and Catering
One HSBC Plaza
Neighborhood: Manhattan Square
Jimmy John's
330 Monroe Ave.
Neighborhood: Alexander Park
www.jimmyjohns.com
State Street Bakery (re-location)
36 W. Main St. (Exec Building)
Neighborhood: Four Corners
www.statestreetbakery.com
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Rochester Downtown Development Corporation
100 Chestnut St., Suite 1910, Rochester, NY 14604
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Downtown Special Services, Inc. Administrative Office 100 Chestnut St., Suite 1910, Rochester, NY 14604 (585) 263-6950 | [email protected] | |
About @round downtown
@round downtown is an e-newsletter resource jointly sponsored by Rochester Downtown Development Corporation (RDDC) and Downtown Special Services Inc. (DSSI). In this bi-monthly publication you will find news and information about everything downtown, including:
- Development projects and trends that are changing the face of downtown
- Useful links to downtown news and resources on our website and social media
- Safety and security from our Red Shirts Safety Team
- Upcoming events and festivals and business comings & goings
- RDDC business and social events
- And much more!
Invite your friends and colleagues to join this email list by clicking here:
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