Nothing says "public works project" like a little bit of chaos.
Renaissance Square leaders gathered today to announce the addition of $9.5 million in funding for the project. But it turns out that wasn't too new, the county has mentioned several times that this money - a mix of state and county funds - had been marked for the project.
Today's hubbub was about a combination bus and high-speed rail station. A Democrat and Chronicle blog post reported that a multi-modal facility, which is favored by Representative Louise Slaughter, may resurface for discussion, possibly as part of or in place of Ren Square.
But it's misleading: Slaughter's been talking up a multi-modal station for a long time - that's not new.
She's working with other Upstate representatives to lobby for a state DOT-backed high-speed rail proposal.
That proposal calls for the building of a third rail line between Buffalo and Albany. The track would allow for trains that can travel up to 110 mph, say aides, with the potential for speeds to increase as technology improves.
Rochester's Amtrak station on Central Avenue would need some upgrades to be high-speed compatible, say Slaughter aides. Upgraded tracks and docks would be among the upgrades. Seven years ago, when a new train station was under discussion, the estimated cost was $6 million. For it to be high-speed rail compatible, the cost would have been $26 million.
Going back to the multi-modal station, Ren Square leaders say that they won't consider it as part of the project.
"This project is moving forward as-is," says Mark Aesch, CEO of the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority.
County Executive Maggie Brooks says that high-speed rail and Ren Square are separate conversations, and that talking about combining the bus station with a train station would only stop a shovel-ready project.
"We looked at this 10 to 12 years ago and the decision was made not to pursue that," she said.
Democrats feel differently.
"We support the Renaissance Square project, but if the opportunity for a combined bus and train station presents itself, it would be fiscally responsible to fully explore those options," said Minority Leader Harry Bronson in a press release.