MOULE: Ren Square: Whose meeting is it? [Updated 2 p.m.]

July 15, 2009 at 11:51am

Here's an important question about today's meeting between City Council and Ren Square leaders: Who's going to run the thing?

The meeting is at City Hall, on Council's turf. But earlier this week, Ren Square officials sent out a notice that the Main and Clinton board - of which Mayor Bob Duffy is a member - will be holding a meeting at 3 p.m. today at City Hall.

Control of this meeting is no small matter. It follows that whoever's running the show, and it will be quite a show, also gets to set the agenda, decide who's doing the talking, and so on. It's easy to see where the two groups could immediately be at loggerheads.

As for the substance of the meeting, Council and the mayor have been tight-lipped about what their position is. It's a safe bet, though, that they want concessions on the theater and the bus station. But County Executive Maggie Brooks and other project officials say that anything too substantial could torpedo the project and the federal money that goes along with it.

UPDATE: 2 P.M.

The following press release came over from the city this afternoon. It was labeled a "clarification."

In an effort to clear up any confusion regarding today's 3 pm meeting at City Council Chambers, please note that this meeting is a work session of the Rochester City Council.� The work session will focus on the Renaissance Square project. Council President Gladys Santiago will preside over the meeting.

The Main & Clinton Local Development� Company (M-C LDC) has been invited to attend this work session to respond to questions concerning Ren Square.� Because of public meeting laws, the M-C LDC will be required to formally convene a meeting as part of the Council's work session.

Also in attendance today will be Mayor Bob Duffy, County Executive Maggie Brooks, MCC President Anne Kress, MCC Past President Tom Flynn, and RGRTA CEO Mark Aesch.

Comments for "MOULE: Ren Square: Whose meeting is it? [Updated 2 p.m.]" (1)

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andrew stainton said on Jul. 15, 2009 at 12:50pm

While noticing a few strange procedural things about the meeting, notice too who is sitting in the "MCC President's chair" . NOT THE MCC PRESIDENT! Flynn retired more than a year ago

And notice who is sitting in the chair that used to be for the "Arts Council". Now its Arnie Rothchild.... when did that switch happen?

Maybe with different people running the meeting, questions might be finally be allowed. Ren Square has spent over 20 million taxpayer and never allowed a question to be openly asked at any meeting or public forum. Not one question!! (because there are a few that can't BE answered)

Stalin would have been proud.

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