|
|
|
|
|
DOWNTOWN'S BRIGHT FUTURE
"My vision starts with the idea that downtown can come back and it will be vibrant. It will be different than it was. But I've spent the last few years traveling around this country looking at downtowns, and I see what they've done. And I'm telling you that there's no reason why Rochester can't do it, too."
-Larry Glazer, President & CEO, Buckingham Properties
Larry Glazer, (who was the subject of a recent article titled "Downtown's Patron Saint") has a lot of evidence to support his bullishness about downtown's future as Rochester follows the national trend of urban core revival. According to RDDC's market tracking, 32 downtown development projects are planned or underway, injecting $656 million in investment, about $400 million of which is private investment.
 | | Click graphic for larger map view. |
At the annual Downtown Rising event in May, RDDC shined a spotlight on downtown development. If you were unable to attend the event, you can watch the project presentations and read the news coverage using the links below.
EVENT PRESENTATIONS:
Larry Glazer, Buckingham Properties
Tom Masaschi, DHD Ventures
Glenn Kellogg, Hart's Local Grocers
Michael Kane, D&C Media Group
Dan Morgenstern, Hive Properties
James McIntosh, City Engineer
Del Smith, Commissioner, Neighborhood & Bus Dev
(Note: presentation begins at video time of 6:50)
EVENT MEDIA COVERAGE:
MORE COVERAGE OF DOWNTOWN'S BRIGHT FUTURE:
April 9, 2014 - City Newspaper
Editorial: Downtown Is Coming to Life
June 11, 2014 - Democrat & Chronicle
February 17, 2014 - Smugtown Beacon Spotlight
|
|
|
INNOVATION DISTRICT COMING TO DOWNTOWN?
The stars may be aligning for the potential formation of an "Innovation District" in downtown Rochester. According to the Democrat & Chronicle, "Innovation districts are areas where entrepreneurs and supporting institutions, such as universities or medical centers, operate in close proximity, sharing ideas and resources. They include startup companies, researchers and financial supporters and are designed to lead to new jobs and business growth." (Read more about "The Rise of Innovation Districts").
There is particular recent interest in the area around the Sibley Building, the Midtown block, and RIT's Center for Urban Entrepreneurship on Franklin Street. Currently located in Henrietta, High Tech of Rochester (HTR) has submitted a funding proposal to the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council for a downtown business accelerator to be located in the Midtown District.
Downtown's growing list of tech, telecom, and other "creative class" businesses are attracted by cool historic buildings, loft-style spaces, high density environments, nightlife, and the diverse kinds of users and uses found in the center city. The latest in this developing story is the recent announcement that Datto Inc. will move 70 employees downtown into RIT's Franklin Street facility under the START-UP NY program.
READ MORE:
|
|
|
MORE BUILDINGS RE-PURPOSED FOR HOUSING
The Bevier Building and Woodbury Place are the latest additions to the list of downtown housing projects planned or already underway. This brings the total to 16 residential projects, which are a blend of conversions, major rehabilitations and new builds.
 | | Rendering of Woodbury Place, which involves the rehab of 5 buildings in the Washington Sq Pk Neighborhood |
Downtown Rochester's housing boom began around the year 2000, and since then, a total of 31 buildings have been converted from commercial/office uses to lofts and apartments. Twelve more conversions are now under development. Read more in RDDC's Downtown Housing Market Report and the news articles below. READ MORE:
Rochester Plumbing Supply Co. Building Will Be Put to New Use, April 19, 2014 - Democrat & Chronicle
Bevier Building May Become Apartments, Offices, January 15, 2014 - Democrat & Chronicle
Hive@155 Redevelopment Project Planned in St. Paul Quarter, April 11, 2014 - Rochester Business Journal
Demographic Shift Feeding Downtown Residential Boom, April 25, 2014 - Rochester Business Journal
Demographic Shifts Bode Well for Urban Living, February 11, 2014 - Democrat & Chronicle
Surge of Residential Downtown Development, April 18, 2014 - Rochester Business Journal
|
|
|
TRANSIT CENTER NEARLY READY
Rochester Genesee Regional Transit Authority recently reported that Rochester's new bus Transit Center is 85% complete and on track to meet a scheduled opening date of November 28. The new facility will pull the buses off Main Street from the river to the Liberty Pole (now an "open air bus terminal") and make way for potential on-street parking to support street-level retail growth (read article below on the City's pursuit of funds to do just that).
|
|
|
MOVIES WITH A DOWNTOWN VIEW
The Washington Square Park Neighborhood Association is planning the first ever downtown outdoor movie event with the help of partners and sponsors including The Little Theatre, the Rochesteriat, the City of Rochester, Buckingham Properties and The Community Foundation.
When:
Friday, July 25th, 7-10:30pm (Film: "Almost Famous")
Friday, August 15th, 6:30-10pm (Film TBD)
Where:
MLK Jr. Memorial Park | 353 Court Street, Rochester, NY 14607 (known to many as Manhattan Square Park)
What:
MOVIES, Picnic, Trivia + Prizes, FREE Popcorn, Food Trucks, Beer station, Vendor tables
For more information visit www.downtownrocmovies.com or the event facebook page. We hope to see you there!
|
|
|
FOOD TRUCK UPDATE
This spring, the City expanded its downtown Food Truck Pilot Program from three to 10 sites to allow workers, residents and visitors to enjoy more mobile cuisine. Visit www.cityofrochester.gov/foodtrucks for more information and a list of locations, and use www.wherethatfoodtruck.com for real-time locations.
  | |
Food truck parked at St. Mary's Place on Woodbury Blvd.
Photo credit: Washington Sq Pk Neighborhood Assoc
|
|
|
|
RDDC LEADS CAMPAIGN FOR A DOWNTOWN BID
You may have heard about the initiative to establish a Business Improvement District (BID) for downtown Rochester. Maybe you know all about it or maybe you're wondering "what's this is all about?" Get "BID-ucated" at www.RochesterBID.org, and by using the resources, articles and video links below. We also encourage you to give feedback and sign up to receive email updates at www.RochesterBID.org/#participate.
RESOURCES:
BID Information Brochure
Property Owner FAQ Document
BID Slideshow Presentation
BID Success Stories
Even more resources are available at www.RochesterBID.org/#resources.
MEDIA COVERAGE:
Why ROC: Downtown BID
July 16, 2014 - Channel 8
Majority Backs Creation of Downtown BID
June 27, 2014 - Rochester Business Journal
Big Cities Find Districts Do Their Bidding
June 26, 2014 - The Daily Record
Public-Private Partnership Could Reshape Downtown
May 14, 2014 - Democrat & Chronicle
Downtown Users Hope BID Will Do Their Bidding
May 11, 2014 - The Daily Record
Property Owners Step Up to Improve Downtown
May 7, 2014 - Channel 8
A Plan for Downtown Rochester Stakeholders to Have More Say
May 6, 2014 - Time Warner Cable News
Effort Aims to Create Business Improvement District Downtown, May 5, 2014 - Rochester Business Journal
VIDEO PRESENTATIONS:
BID Information Meeting - Part I & Part II
The following video links are to the presentations of BID leaders and experts from other cities at THE "BID" EFFECT breakfast in June 24:
Downtown Pittsburgh
Downtown Cincinnati
Downtown Boston
Block by Block (a company that provides the on-street services to 70 cities across the U.S.)
|
|
|
RDDC'S STAFF TEAM
With Events & Office Coordinator Chay Webb coming on board this spring, RDDC's staff team is as energized and dynamic as ever. Current contact information is below, along with jazzy new headshots taken at the Powers Building, one of our architectural gems. We hope you will continue to call on us for all your downtown-related needs. We are happy to be a resource you can count on!
|
|
|
|
|
|
JULY 2014 EDITION
IN THIS ISSUE:
-Downtown's Bright Future
-Talk of Innovation District
-Housing Boom Continues
-Transit Center Opening
-Food Truck Update
-New Outdoor Movie Event
-Downtown BID Update
-RDDC Staff Update
|
|
 
Get real-time, daily news about what's happening downtown on Facebook and Twitter!
|
|
UPCOMING DOWNTOWN FESTIVALS & EVENTS!
Movies with a Downtown View
July 25 and August 15
Puerto Rican Festival
August 1-3
www.prfestival.com
Carifest
August 9
Labor Day Parade
August 29
First Niagara Fringe Festival
September 18-27
High Falls Film Festival
October 23-26
|
|
UPCOMING RDDC EVENTS
Urban Nights
Rochester Tap Room
Tuesday, September 16
$12 members/$15 non-members
October Urban Nights
Date & Location TBD
$12 members/$15 non-members
The State of Rochester's Economy
Date & Location TBD
11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
$45 members/$50 non-members
November Urban Nights
Date & Location TBD
$12 members/$15 non-members
December Urban Nights
Date & Location TBD
$12 members/$15 non-members
Vision ~ Future luncheon with the Mayor & County Executive
Wednesday, December 10
Rochester Riverside Convention Center
11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
$45 members/$50 non-members
|
|
DOWNTOWN RESTAURANT OPENINGS
City Grill East Avenue
384 East Avenue
Neighborhood: Upper East End
www.citygrillrochester.com
Executive Caf� & Bakery
36 West Main St.
Neighborhood: Four Corners
Founders Caf�
13 S. Fitzhugh St.
Neighborhood: Four Corners
www.founderscaferochester.com
Ox and Stone
282 Alexander St.
Neighborhood: Upper East End
www.oxandstone.com
Press Coffee Co.
480 East Main St.
Neighborhood: East End
www.newyorkpresscoffee.com
T's Time Square Caf�
45 Exchange Blvd.
Neighborhood: Four Corners
Tango Caf� and Dance Studio
35 S. Washington St.
Neighborhood: Cascade District
www.tangocafedance.com
Tedward's Caf�
183 East Main St.
Neighborhood: Midtown District
...COMING SOON!
Commonwealth Pub
363 East Avenue
Neighborhood: Upper East End
East/West Kitchen
337 East Ave.
Neighborhood: Upper East End
eastwestkitchen.com
Flour City Station
170 East Ave.
Neighborhood: East End
www.flourcitystation.com
Dunkin Donuts
89 State St.
Neighborhood: Four Corners
www.dunkindonuts.com
|
|
|
|
Annual Report
Latest Newsletter
Contact Us
Learn More
The Red Shirts Safety Team provides a "Walk You to Your Car" Service. Call 732-8808 during these hours of operation:
Mon - Thurs: 1:30 - 9:00 pm
Friday: 1:30 - 10:00 pm
Saturday: 5:30 - 10:00 pm
Sunday: 5:30 - 9:00 pm
|
|
|
|
|
 |  |
Rochester Downtown Development Corporation
100 Chestnut St., Suite 1910, Rochester, NY 14604
|  |
Downtown Special Services, Inc. Administrative Office 100 Chestnut St., Suite 1910, Rochester, NY 14604 (585) 263-6950 | hzm@rddc.org | | |
|
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:
|
|
|
|
|
