Tag: ROC the Riverway

Phase I of Skatepark opens

The long-awaited ROC City Skatepark opened during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday. The much-anticipated skatepark, located along the Genesee Riverway Trail under the Frederick Douglass-Susan B. Anthony Bridge, just south of the Erie Harbor Promenade, is part of the ROC the Riverway project.

An artist's rendering of ROC City Skatepark
An artist’s rendering of ROC City Skatepark

“The opening of ROC City Skatepark brings a new vitality and sense of energy to Downtown Rochester,” Mayor Lovely Warren said. “And it also provides a beautifully designed space specifically for skateboarders, rollerbladers, BMXers and other progression-oriented sports enthusiasts to revel in their sport, hone their skills and enjoy endless hours of outdoor recreation along the banks of the Genesee River.

“I want to thank the Friends of the ROC City Skatepark, who first introduced this idea to the community, along with all of our partners and funders who helped make it a reality, including the New York State Department of Transportation, Rochester Gas and Electric, the Skatepark Project and the Sands Family Foundation. Your commitment and investment in this project have made possible a fun-filled venue that will undoubtedly provide plenty of thrills and excitement for residents and visitors to our city,” Warren said.

The ROC City Skatepark is a $3.1 million project that includes mini-ramps and ledges, stairs and handrails, competition bowls and a main skate promenade, as well as opportunities for public art and performances. The Skatepark takes advantage of land that is situated under an interstate bridge and associated off ramps that would have otherwise been unbuildable.

A rendering showing the different phases of the ROC City Skatepark
A rendering showing the different phases of the ROC City Skatepark

The Skatepark is one of several ROC the Riverway projects that are designed to highlight the Genesee River as the centerpiece of Rochester by creating activities and attractions along both banks of this centralized waterway. ROC the Riverway projects received a $50 million investment from New York State, first announced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in February 2018.

“New York State’s Roc the Riverway investment is working to attract more businesses, families and visitors to Rochester,” said Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President and CEO-designate Eric Gertler. “This long-anticipated skatepark is just one example of the strategic placemaking investments that are revitalizing city centers and fueling economic growth here in the Finger Lakes and around the state.”

The idea of building a public Skatepark for the benefit of the community was first introduced to city officials in 2008 by the ROC City Skatepark Coalition, the precursor to the Friends of the ROC City Skatepark, officials noted. The group’s vision and commitment to the concept convinced the city to invest funds in the project. Additional funding was provided through ROC the Riverway monies and an Upstate Revitalization Grant from the state Department of Transportation; Commercial Corridor and Main Street Revitalization economic development grants through RG&E; Built to Play and Environmental Impact Grants from The Skatepark Project (formerly the Tony Hawk Foundation); and contributions from the Sands Family Foundation and the Friends of the ROC City Skatepark.

“We are very grateful for the support and the partnerships this project has gained over the 12 years that have brought us to this day,” said Michael Riordan, president of the Friends of the ROC City Skatepark. “Now that the first phase of the skatepark is a reality, we are excited to help to activate the space in a way that brings the community together.”

Construction of the Skatepark began a year ago. C.P. Ward served as the lead contractor for the project, while Stantec Inc. and New Line Skateparks Inc. provided design consulting services.

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ROC the Riverway project breaks ground

Ground was broken Tuesday on the next ROC the Riverway project.

Mayor Lovely Warren was joined by state and local partners to break ground on improvements to the west wall of the Genesee River between Corn Hill Landing and Ford Street.

Mayor Lovely Warren, center, is joined by state and local officials to break ground on the ROC the Riverway West River Wall Improvements. (provided)
Mayor Lovely Warren, center, is joined by state and local officials to break ground on the ROC the Riverway West River Wall Improvements. (provided)

“The start of the West River Wall projects represents a major step forward in our effort to fulfill the community-building, job-creating potential of Genesee River through our ROC the Riverway program,” Warren said. “What is now an eyesore that blocks public access and views, this area will be transformed into a vibrant, welcoming, public space along our beautiful riverfront.”

The West River Wall Improvements Phase 1 project is part of the ROC the Riverway Initiative, a series of 30 projects that will create a connection of destinations along both banks of the Genesee River downtown.

“The excitement around this project is palpable,” said City Council President Loretta Scott. “The Corn Hill Neighborhood has advocated for the West River Wall project for a long time and today the city, together with New York state and other community partners, will make this project a reality. This project, along with the multitude of other ROC the Riverway initiatives will transform our river into a vibrant and celebrated part of our city.”

This phase of the improvement project will reconstruct the west side of the Genesee River from Corn Hill Landing to Ford Street. The renovated river wall will maintain necessary flood protection while naturalizing much of the shoreline. A new public landing opposite Fitzhugh Place will better connect the Corn Hill neighborhood to the river, including a raised intersection along Exchange Boulevard to calm traffic and create a more pedestrian-friendly space.

A rendering of the ROC the Riverway West River Wall Improvements
A rendering of the ROC the Riverway West River Wall Improvements

Future project phases will similarly reconstruct the river wall further south to Brooks Landing.

“I want to congratulate Mayor Warren and her administration for launching this critical project today, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo for his commitment to upstate communities across New York through the Reimagine the Canals effort,” said New York State Canal Corp. Director Brian Stratton. “ROC the Riverway naturally complements Gov. Cuomo’s statewide vision by prioritizing investment in resilience and economic development. Upgrading the infrastructure of the West River Wall not only addresses flooding and drought but also makes this a more attractive place for both local recreation and tourism.”

Phase 1 of the West River Wall Improvement project is $7.6 million, with $4.2 million in funding coming from the state Canal Corp. Some $750,000 was secured through the state Department of State’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.

The West River Wall Improvement project is one of several ROC the Riverway projects now underway including the ROC City Skate Park, the Rundel Library North Terrace, renovations at the Rochester War Memorial at the Blue Cross Arena and Charles Carroll Plaza renovations. The renovation of the north terrace of the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center was completed last year.

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ROC the Riverway project gets underway at the library

A much-anticipated ROC the Riverway project broke ground this week.

The new Rundel Library North Terrace in the city of Rochester is one of a series of riverside projects which, when complete, will create a seamless connection along the banks of the Genesee River. (provided)
The new Rundel Library North Terrace in the city of Rochester is one of a series of riverside projects which, when complete, will create a seamless connection along the banks of the Genesee River. (Provided)

The new Rundel Library North Terrace in the city of Rochester is one of a series of riverside projects which, when complete, will create a seamless connection along the banks of the Genesee River. The initiative also supports the city’s updated Local Waterfront Revitalization Program plan, which aims to attract millennials, enhance recreational opportunities and drive growth along the underutilized waterfront.

Empire State Development will support the terrace upgrades with $1.5 million, which will assist with needed repair work and will also allow the library’s terrace area to be open for outdoor library rooms, café spaces and programming opportunities.

The $8.1 million project also is receiving $2 million through the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, which was secured by Assemblyman David Gantt. Another $900,000 in support was secured by State Sen. Joe Robach through the New York State Education Department.

“I was incredibly pleased to be able to secure a portion of the funding needed for this project,” Gantt said in a statement. “The updating of the historic library’s North Terrace is such an important piece of the transformative ROC the Riverway initiative which will serve to revitalize the underutilized area along the Genesee River in downtown Rochester.”

Future plans include developing the space under the North Terrace, in conjunction with the Aqueduct Re-Imagined project. The project is expected to be complete next year.

“The ROC the Riverway initiative is already tapping the potential of downtown Rochester’s Genesee River waterfront and is poised to drive tourism, economic momentum and encourage private investment that will keep the Finger Lakes moving forward,” said Eric Gertler, ESD acting commissioner, president and CEO-designate.

ROC the Riverway is a $50 million investment in properties and projects along Rochester’s riverfront. Announced in 2018, some 13 projects are being funded through the initiative, with the hope that several others will find funding opportunities down the road.

“The Rundel Library North Terrace is an important cornerstone of the ROC the Riverway Initiative, which is fulfilling the community-building and job-creating potential of the river that runs through the heart of our city,” Mayor Lovely Warren said. “It will be an exciting addition to the Rundel Memorial Building, a beautiful and unique community resource which stands at the juncture of the Genesee River, the old Erie Canal bed and the Johnson & Seymour Millrace.”

The city of Rochester also is planning to break ground in the next few months on upgrades to the Blue Cross Arena and Charles Carroll Plaza and will begin the design phase of additional ROC the Riverway projects that eventually will result in the transformation of Genesee Gateway and High Falls Terrace Park along the river.

The much-anticipated ROC City Skate Park in downtown Rochester broke ground last fall and is expected to be completed later this year. The park will offer skaters more than 14,000 square feet of space and will be free to the public.

Other ROC the Riverway projects include completed upgrades to the North Terrace at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center and to the Promenade at Erie Harbor which connected a path along the Genesee River.

“It is wonderful to see the ROC the Riverway project continue to unfold, transforming our riverfront and adding even more reasons to visit community treasures like the Rundel Library. This exciting development bolsters our efforts to bring new investment and people into Monroe County,” said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello.

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Panel named to guide riverway development

A draft version of the potential Rochester's riverfront has
A draft version of the potential Rochester’s riverfront has

A dozen community leaders have been chosen to serve on an advisory panel that will oversee the state’s investment in “ROC The Riverway,” a joint initiative between New York State and the City of Rochester to revitalize the city’s waterfront along the Genesee River.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has given the board until May to present proposed recommendations to increase public access and help reshape the future of downtown Rochester. Buffalo has experienced success in revitalizing its waterfront and Rochester officials hope “ROC The Riverway” will re-establish the Genesee River as the centerpiece of downtown Rochester.

“The ‘ROC The Riverway’ project will represent a true turning point in the city’s history,” Cuomo said in a statement. “By leveraging public and private dollars, and capitalizing on the natural assets of the region, we are encouraging investment that will create jobs and increase tourism, helping to move the Finger Lakes forward.”

Rochester’s 12 advisory board members include:

• Bob Duffy, Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council and Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce
• Anne Kress, Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council and Monroe Community College
• Lisa Baron, Greentopia
• Clement Chung, RocCity Coalition
• Veronica Dasher, Rochester Gas and Electric
• Shawn Dunwoody, Dunwoode Visual Consulting
• 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-Meyer, Rochester Downtown Development Corp.

Empire State Development will support the project with up to $50 million through the Finger Lakes Forward Upstate Revitalization Initiative. The investment leverages public dollars to encourage future private investment to “unlock the full potential” of Rochester’s waterfront, officials said.

The City of Rochester has developed a draft proposal for its ROC The Riverway project to revitalize Rochester's riverfront and downtown.
The City of Rochester has developed a draft proposal for its ROC The Riverway project to revitalize Rochester’s riverfront and downtown.

The City of Rochester has developed a concept plan for “ROC The Riverway” that includes nearly 30 potential projects for consideration including: upgrades to Charles Carroll Park Plaza, breathing new life into Genesee Gateway Park, transforming the Rochester Riverside Convention Center as a premier public venue and revitalizing the Broad Street aqueduct, among others.

A key component in the transformation of the city’s center will be leveraging public and private investment to improve the waterfront area.

“The ‘ROC The Riverway’ initiative will no doubt be a game changer for Rochester’s Genesee River waterfront,” said FLREDC co-chairs Duffy and Kress, in a statement. “The advisory panel will engage the community and local leadership in the process which will focus on the smart growth development of Rochester’s Downtown Innovation Zone. This project will create a destination area that will bring tourism and jobs downtown, helping to move Rochester and the Finger Lakes forward.”

The advisory panel is expected to hold a series of public meetings to engage the community and stakeholders interesting in participating in the transformation. The first meeting will take place March 8 at Monroe Community College’s downtown campus.

“The ROC the Riverway Program will bring an unprecedented level of targeted investment along the Genesee River and open our riverfront to new possibilities and opportunities for growth,” said Mayor Lovely Warren. “I am excited to work alongside Bob Duffy, Anne Kress, and my esteemed community partners on the Advisory Board to unleash the power of the mighty Genesee to create more jobs, safer and more vibrant neighborhoods, and better educational opportunities for all of our citizens.”

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