Rochester Downtown Re-Development: A Mid-Term Report Card
http://harry2009.com/node/85
from:
http://www.smugtownbeacon.com/news.php?viewStory=308
"Possible" Intermodal High-Speed Train & Bus Terminal: 'Houston, the money has landed!' Maybe. According to the Democrat & Chronicle and the State of New York, high-speed rail dollars may be available as soon as September of this year, so our local delegations to Albany and Washington better get their collective acts together pronto. Negative: This project is still partly in the realm of 'pie in the sky' wishful thinking. But, as city council candidate Harry Davis says, quite accurately, "high-speed rail in Rochester, connecting Western NY with Downstate, is the most important transportation project proposal since the construction and operation of the Erie Canal" (or words to that effect). Amen. Positive: A brand new, passenger-only dedicated track from Buffalo to Albany; and a new intermodal transport center, presumably on Central Avenue. Go Louise! (The Good).
By: Christopher J. Wilmot
Posted: Friday, June 19, 2009 2:55 pm
June 20, 2009 Rochester, NY - Many re-development proposals have been bandied about in recent years by the likes of Mayor Duffy and County Executive Brooks regarding just how, indeed, to revive that perpetual 'sinking ship', Downtown Rochester. The following is a list of the good, the bad, and the ugly, to borrow a worn out phrase:
The Good
ESL (Eastman Savings & Loan): First, the project's negatives: Hundreds of jobs will be brought into Downtown Rochester, from...Kings Highway, in Irondequoit. So, really, no new 'net' job creation (shifting suburban Monroe County jobs to Downtown). Positive: A new, semi-high rise structure that's already pushing past the fifth floor. Overall, net positive (The Good).
Nothnagle Realtors: Negative: Again, simply a suburban shift of employment to Main Street downtown (again, no new 'net' job creation from out of town). Positive: The structure, still on the drawing board, and only an artist conception thus far, yet the building appears to be well on its way to 'actualization' (eventual completion). And, it will be a brand new building (with a classic facade); and, it will be on the much beleaguered Main Street, Downtown, Rochester. Like ESL, a net positive for downtown (The Good).
"Possible" Intermodal High-Speed Train & Bus Terminal: 'Houston, the money has landed!' Maybe. According to the Democrat & Chronicle and the State of New York, high-speed rail dollars may be available as soon as September of this year, so our local delegations to Albany and Washington better get their collective acts together pronto. Negative: This project is still partly in the realm of 'pie in the sky' wishful thinking. But, as city council candidate Harry Davis says, quite accurately, "high-speed rail in Rochester, connecting Western NY with Downstate, is the most important transportation project proposal since the construction and operation of the Erie Canal" (or words to that effect). Amen. Positive: A brand new, passenger-only dedicated track from Buffalo to Albany; and a new intermodal transport center, presumably on Central Avenue. Go Louise! (The Good).
Fifth-Year Productions (downtown TV & Film production space): The brother's Farrelly, creators of such Hollywood smash hits as "There's Something About Mary"; "Dumb & Dumber"; and "Me, Myself, & Irene", have announced, in conjunction with former Buffalo Bills star QB Jim Kelly, and local star businessman Bob Bartosiewicz (owner of CGI, & the Rochester Raiders Indoor Football team), that first rate TV and film production space with occupy the first few floors of the Granite Building downtown (former HQ for Harris, Beach law firm; now in Perinton). Bartosiewicz and Peter Farrelly made the announcement a couple of weeks ago. This is 'potentially' one of the biggest, most important local development and business announcements in many years. If this project comes to fruition, it could really put Rochester on the 'map', perhaps more than even the International Museum of Photography (George Eastman House). But there are a lot of "ifs" here. However, as it stands, an overwhelming positive (the Good).
Angled Parking on Main Street Downtown, and the Removal of Most Bus Shelters and Stops Really, this is my Uncle William's idea, then my idea (imitation being the sincerest form of flattery), yet I'm sure thousands of other Rochesterians have come to the same conclusion. To foster business on Main Street downtown, fewer bus stops and shelters (remember, perception as reality), and dozens of angled parking spaces on each side of Main, thus necessitating the need for sidewalks that are narrower, is just about the only way to bring back small businesses to downtown. Negatives? None. Positives? Many. (the Good).
Employment Expansion at the Chase Tower JPMorgan-Chase will actually be creating dozens of new jobs, from outside the community, and will locate these new employees in the 26-story Chase (Lincoln) Tower (remember Lincoln First Bank?). Miracles never cease.
Casino, Hotel, Gift Shops, Restaurants & Performing Arts Space Same complex; already proposed: Don't get me started.
The Bad
RenSquare It is hard to ascertain where to begin when assessing the problems with this project. Simply:
* Too expensive (all state and federal money = taxpayer money).
* Not needed (It still hasn't been demonstrated to me, and thousands of others, why we need the extra performing arts space).
* Delayed, and Losing Public Support (among citizens and politicians).
* Will clean-up a couple of blocks on Main, and that's about it.
* Negatives? Self evident.
* Positives? Still searching.
The UGLY
Midtown Plaza & Tower/ PAETEC debacle Arunas Chesonis, Founder & Chairman of PAETEC Corp., has already admitted, publicly (SEE WHEC TV-10 recent Ray Levato report) that it is unlikely PAETEC will move downtown. In fact, Chesonis has said that unless there exists massive state aid, PAETEC will stay in Perinton, and the City will have a "shovel ready" site to build another structure. When interviewed by Levato, Mayor Duffy ducked the thrust and substance of Levato's questions.
With PAETEC's massive 2008 loss of over $400 million, and its low stock price, why on earth would the company pack up and move to Downtown Rochester? The answer is PAETEC will not leave Perinton anytime soon, or perhaps ever.
Meanwhile, Duffy and the City Council were in a hurry to evict all Midtown Plaza tenants, which by the way, was a semi-functional, indoor shopping mall with lunch options. So now all the tenants are gone (very few relocated to the Sibley Building across the street), and Duffy and Company are left with hundreds of thousands of empty square feet, and no tenant.
Mid-Term Report Card for Downtown Rochester Re-Development: C+
-Christopher J. Wilmot
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