rochester excells in providing affordable housing .. except for the really poor, the terminology is Extremely Low Income. One reason is that the standard by which incomes are measured, the Average Median Income, is gathered by HUD for the entire metro area. The AMI is over $70,000 But, for the City alone it is less than half that. The Rochester City Council, with very little power or leverage, did recently courageously require that new apartments receiving any kind of city assistance, include this class. Advocacates can help here! Come to this session Richard Rosen
Mayor Warren's creation of distinct classes of affordability will enable the Administration to ask developers to include the lowest two categories: Extremely Low and Low Income. With the exception of the newly announced PathStone project in Eastman Business Park, not for profit developers have to date only served those with moderate income (at 60% of the regional AMI) PathStone and Christa deserve praise for creatively assembling the financing tools that made this possible. The just approved rebuild of Cobbs Hill Village meets this requirement also, but provides only a third of what the present complex offers, and could continue to offer permanently, as neighborhood groups have urged.
The health of city schools is important because it effects the ability of the city to retain residents in challenged neighborhoods. Throughout rustbelt cities everywhere, young families and especially those of color, continue to leave the city for surrounding suburbs with higher performing schools. If we are to stabilize our most challenged neighborhoods, we must improve the schools so that families who love their neighborhood will decide to stay. Those commitments will result in new families moving in. That's why improving schools is important for all city residents, not just parents, as suggested by a reader.
The Gallina proposal for Parcel 5 was unique: Primarily condominiums. That is an important balance to all that new rental housing. It also made room for an open space park of appropriate size for Rochester. The arrangement on the site needs public exposure. Theater's don't belong at the 100% location because they are dark most of the time. Other sites have been examined, but the city's consultant report was buried. Resurrect it! I doubt that ticket sales can be increased dramatically, as claimed, because a new theater will mean higher prices. Exchange St south of Court, already city owned, seems quite appropriate, and can be integrated into the exciting proposed plans for West Broad Street and the aqueduct.
John Thomas misunderstood. The coalition wants to preserve 60 units with an average rent under $425 a month, and not accept the substitute of rents of $650+electric and up. .
This infill community serves seniors who have more disposable income because of the very low rent. The proposed higher rents are "middle income," rather than low income.
Cobbs Hill Village is more racially diverse than the surrounding neighborhoods, and we welcome that urban diversity. Shame on this reader for suggesting that anyone in the coalition wants to move these low income seniors to the inner loop. This is a complete fabrication. Visit someone living there: The units are spacious, excellently maintained, and have a superior site layout, akin to individual "cottages" on a broad sidewalk (mostly covered) allowing for the kind of social interaction and security for seniors not to be found in an anonymous elevator apartment house with private balconies. You are welcome to join us John. I'm in the phonebook. Richard Rosen
These comments offer good reasons to allow proncipals to suspend kids who destroy an environment for learning, however it is also clear that every suspension should be to a structured disciplined environmemt with creative teaching to reach troubled kids where they are at. And those kids must have a realistic opportunity to earn credit for their efforts if they play by the rules. This requires our best teachers and reading specialists. Create the program first and then seek funding for it. It will be expensive.
Re: “Creating cities for everyone, 8 to 80”
The Design Center speaker Jan 30 left out the most bothersome issue with snow, at least for this 83 year old who walks year round. The intersections. The mound of snow blocking the sidewalk after the snow plow comes through. Rochester does a great job with sidewalks and the streets, but the crossings require an extra step! A person with a ice chopper and shovel. How about offering work at a living wage, a good pair of gloves, and the tools, to DHS clients with a work requirement?