arts center could bring thousands of people downtown, but there has to be more for them to experience once we get them here.” In that respect, ROC the Riverway is just a starting point, a first phase of the much broader Local Waterfront Revival Plan that was developed several years ago with the river, Lake Ontario, and portions of the Erie Canal in mind, says Yudelson. Mayor Warren sees ROC the Riverway as a catalyst, Yudelson says, something that will attract more private investment, similar to what’s happened on Main Street with projects like Sibley Square. ROC the Riverway should be seen as a potential $500 million project over 10 to 15 years, one that could ultimately have a major economic impact, Yudelson says. A potential $500 million project? For a cash-strapped city – in a state that will surely face increased money problems, given federal cutbacks – how likely is it that we’ll ever see a $500 million project? Yudelson agrees that that’s an optimistic figure: the “Cadillac” plan, as he calls it. The city is starting with the optimum, for the full plan and for its individual projects. As long as the initial plans are sound, the first $50 million in state funding is assured, and state officials say more could come later. Nor will all of the money have to come from the city and the state. City officials anticipate partnerships with other governments and other sources. ROC the Riverway consists of three distinct
pieces. The downtown segment includes a wide variety of riverside projects along both sides of the river, from I-490 north to the Inner Loop: improving existing parks, adding riverside pedestrian walkways, improving the Convention Center and the Blue Cross Arena, adding new pedestrian and bike pathways across the river. Probably the most controversial element of the downtown segment is the reimagining
of the Erie Canal Aqueduct, Yudelson says. The aqueduct was built in the 1840’s, and it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The structure was built to serve as a waterway and later served as the old subway bed. Its surface is now used as the Broad Street Bridge. The ROC the Riverway plan calls for removing vehicular traffic, making the aqueduct a pedestrian bridge, and either re-watering part of the surface or converting it to greenspace. As city officials are aware, for years there’s been interest in keeping the aqueduct covered and using it both as a walkway and for small retail or exhibits. Using it as an open pedestrian space instead “is something for the public to discuss,” Yudelson says. The downtown segment of ROC the Riverway, Yudelson says, is Mayor Warren’s Number 1 priority. “This is what she wants to tackle first, because it would have the greatest impact,” he says. “It would truly be transformative.” The river’s redevelopment potential hardly stops there, though. The High Falls district north of downtown offers possibly the most interesting views of the Genesee. But the area has long suffered from a sense of being cut off from downtown, says Yudelson. Thanks to a mishmash of railroad tracks, the Inner Loop, on-ramps, tunnels, and bridges, it can seem intimidating to try to walk between the Main Street area and the High Falls. Much of the work planned for this area focuses on linking the High Falls District to downtown, making the area more pedestrian friendly, and enhancing access to the river gorge. The former RG&E Beebee Station and its property would be developed for public use. And on the west side of the river, a Tree Top Trail would give visitors aerial views of the river, the gorge, and the falls. The third area of riverfront development is south of downtown where the river flows past the University of Rochester and the PLEX neighborhood. The concept here
GUIDING THE PLAN A ROC the Riverway advisory board, composed of representatives of community groups, businesses, and government, will conduct public meetings and will review and prioritize proposals for public and private investments along the riverfront. Chairing the board will be the co-chairs of the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council: Monroe Community College president Anne Kress and Chamber of Commerce president (and former Rochester mayor) Bob Duffy. The other panel members: Lisa Baron, Greentopia Clement Chung, ROC City Coalition Veronica Dasher, Rochester Gas & Electric Shawn Dunwoody, artist Jim Howe, The Nature Conservancy Norman Jones, City of Rochester Nichole Malec, Constellation Brands Eugenio Marlin, Ibero American Action League Mary Beth Popp, North American Breweries Heidi Zimmer-Myer, Rochester Downtown Development Corporation 10 CITY MARCH 7 - 13, 2018