Manifesto/Bio
Recent Comments
Re: “Runaway train station?”
I had the opportunity to visit two upstate train stations this past year, one in Utica and the other in Syracuse.
The Utica station is a beautiful, old school station reminiscent of Grand Central. It even has pillars saved from the Grand Central renovation. It's located in the heart of downtown and a cornerstone in the community and serves both bus and rail passengers.
The Syracuse station is located at the Syracuse Regional Transportation Station, which is a brand new, modern intermodal facility. It is nestled next to the rail line and route 81 near the regional market, baseball stadium and Carousel Mall, which makes it very accessible to the community. There is ample parking and services available at the station as well. It too serves both bus and rail passengers.
Years of squabbling over Renaissance Square, a project that never made sense, held Rochester back for a long time in when it comes to a Rochester bus terminal. Once Renaissance Square was rightfully tabled. the RTS Transit Center on Mortimer Street came into play even when Louise Slaughter and Tom Richards were calling for a intermodal station a 1/2 mile away that would serve both bus and rail passengers. You might think the bus station being only a 1/2 mile from the train station isn't a big deal, but it is when we had an opportunity to create a facility to serve both bus and rail passengers. Who's bright idea was that? The bigger question is how, as a community did we let this happen? Partisan politics and lack of vision by some of our leaders and RGRTA seems to be the answer. We need to get beyond the politics and do what is right for the community. I hope it's not to late for a Rochester Intermodal Station.
While Mayor Richards is right in backing the intermodal station, he's part of the problem when it comes to moving forward with MCC moving to State Street, where there is plenty of parking and space to grow not to mention the boost it would give to the High Falls. I hope we can get beyond the politics and squabbling and drop the notion that MCC belongs in the Sibley Building. It's time to move forward and not repeat the mistakes of Renaissance Square.
Re: “Wheels that deep fry, keep on turning”
Food Truck Owners, C'mon down to Humbolt Street some time. There are several businesses with big parking lots you can set up in without blocking traffic and there are lot's of employees around looking for different grub to grab at lunch.