Governor Kathy Hochul announced five transformational projects in the City of Rochester as part of the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative Award.
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The Awards will leverage the community's significant redevelopment investments with new infill projects and redevelopment of historic properties.
The City of Rochester's revitalization is focused on creating an enhanced sense of place with renewed activity and liveliness.
The Awards will transform the Downtown Revitalization Initiative by adding housing, lodging accommodations, commercial spaces and public infrastructure improvements.
The specific projects to be funded through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative include:
Transforming the Main and Clinton Corner - DRI Award: $4,000,000
Redevelop four, historic mixed-use buildings that have been a blight on the urban landscape for nearly four decades. This is an extensive historic renovation that will also strive for carbon neutrality and will create middle-income housing units and modern storefronts on a prominent corner of Downtown.
Redeveloping the Historic Edwards Building - DRI Award: $1,750,000
Combine a certified historic rehabilitation of the long vacant Edwards Building with the creation of a district geothermal cooperative under the adjacent parking lot. A total of approximately 114 new housing units and ground floor commercial space will be added.
Developing Alta Vista - DRI Award: $1,385,000
Construct an approximately 6-story, 76-unit mixed-income building on four vacant lots in Downtown Rochester. The project includes supportive housing units for survivors of domestic violence and space for the Landmark Society of Western New York. This project will also make improvements to the adjacent St. Joseph's Park. New lighting, pathways, and structural improvements will enhance this public and outdoor event space.
Constructing Main Street Commons - DRI Award: $1,300,000
Create a new outdoor public space in the heart of Downtown and improve pedestrian connections between St. Paul Street and Clinton Avenue. This project will divide the existing 600-foot-long superblock into two more walkable urban block lengths.
Creating the Kresge Building Hotel - DRI Award $1,265,000
Redevelop the three-story Kresge building into an approximately 28-room boutique hotel with anchor food and beverage establishments on the ground floor facing Main Street, Division Street, and the proposed Main Street Commons. ■