Roch-a-Cha Rant: April 2006

Friday, April 28, 2006

Bob Barbato Can't Swim

On Wednesday evening, Sasaki Associates unveiled more detailed designs for the Port of Rochester Master Plan. Although not yet finalized, the proposed design calls for 545 units of new housing, 30,000 square feet of retail, a modest amount of office space, a four-level parking garage, a large public square, and a 60-slip public marina. While there are valid concerns about the new development blocking scenic viewsheds, cannibalizing the existing retail and restaurants, and changing the community dynamic of Charlotte, there is no question that development must occur on these lands and that said development must be well-planned.

The D&C ran a short story on the master plan today and, unlike previous plans for the port, these appear to be gaining traction in the development community. That's understandable. Humans are naturally attracted to water, especially wealthy humans. Some of our region's most expensive real estate is on a waterfront of some sort, be it on Lake Ontario, Canandaigua Lake, or elsewhere. Having such a large swath of land with incredible water views to develop hundreds of units of new housing would seem like an opportunity any developer would jump at. But not everyone agrees.

Bob Barbato, associate professor of management at RIT's prestigious College of Business, isn't so bullish on the property. "I don't think it's all that attractive," Barbato said of the current port area. "It's a very seasonal place that is lively when the weather is warm enough to enjoy the scenery, but for a good part of the year it's pretty cold and pretty desolate." With all due respect Bob, 'no shit, Sherlock'! Isn't that the point of this redevelopment -- to make it less desolate and more active year-round? RIT actually pays this guy to make opinionated uninformed statements like that and I'm doing this for free? His sentiment should not be that surprising though, RIT's campus is pretty cold and desolate most of the time too. Seriously though Bob, consider the value of waterfront real estate in Monroe County, couple that with the stability of the Charlotte housing market, throw in a bunch of new retail and restaurant establishments and a variety of housing types, and you've got yourself a relatively large market to work with. If they added a light rail or busway connection to downtown, even I'd consider living up there.

Sadly, this isn't the first time RIT's Nutty Professor has expressed negativity when asked about a proposed or planned City of Rochester development. In fact, he once expressed doubt regarding the City's focus on developing the Genesee riverfront. The following is taken from a D&C article from August 2003:

"Bob Barbato, an associate professor of management and the director of the Small Business Institute at Rochester Institute of Technology, is pleased that the city is focusing on selling the natural beauty of its river. But he also is skeptical about whether the major developments — the Port of Rochester, Brooks Landing, Corn Hill Landing and the High Falls entertainment district — can all succeed. “The real question is: Is this really going to work?” he asked. “The best answer to that is to simply give businesses the chance to come. The free market will determine if this is going to work.” Barbato also said the city and others are overstating the attraction of water for developers. If it were that important, then Charlotte and Irondequoit Bay would be more developed than they are, he said. “The river itself doesn’t seem like that big of a deal to me,’’ he said. “Park Avenue seems to be doing quite well without a river. The East End is doing well without a river.” The Park Avenue and East End neighborhoods and businesses there are succeeding because of a strong residential base, he said. If the city can promote housing within the developments, then they have a better chance at thriving, he added."

He said that three years ago, and it seems he already disagrees with himself. The City is promoting a significant amount of housing within the Port development, and that is exactly what he is criticizing today. Does he just like criticizing the City of Rochester or does he have a fear of water? Personally, I'm tired of seeing and hearing from this guy. Isn't there anyone at the Simon School who is more qualified to speak on these issues than Barbato? Preferably someone who can swim.

Picture taken from the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle.

Thursday, April 27, 2006

Don't Lower Gas Tax, Raise It!

The average price of gas in metro Rochester topped $3 today. We're not alone. It seems to be on everyone's mind across the country and is the top story on all the network news channels. It's enough to make you think we're in crisis mode. But when you put aside all the hoopla, all the prognostications about peak oil supply, all the criticisms of big oil company profits, all the bitching, moaning, whining, and carrying-on, it's still life as usual for most Americans.

For all their complaining, Americans don't seem to be terribly affected by the rising gas prices. Have we seen dramatic shifts to public transportation? Are droves of suburbanites riding their bikes to work? Are there any less Hummers on the roads today? Absolutely not. People are complaining about gas prices because they're selfish; because they don't want to even consider that they might have to change their way of life. So why should we reward people for their obstinate attitudes by lowering the gas tax, and in the process harming all levels of government, just so John Q. Jackass can save a nickel a gallon at the pump? The answer my friends, is that we should not.

But politicians will do anything to win votes. Especially Republicans. As is the case here in New York State, where Republican Assemblymen such as Jim Tedisco and Dan Burling are proposing that the State cap its share of the gas tax. New York State currently receives 11-cents on every gallon of gas. Capping the price at which state gas tax is charged at $2.00 will save consumers at most 8 or 9 cents a gallon. That will be pretty nice for the mindless masses that choose to drive SUVs, but for those of us who drive more sensible vehicles, we'll barely notice the savings. However, as residents of New York State, we'd be missing out on a great opportunity for using the increased funds brought in by that gas tax.

If anything, the gas tax should increase along with the cost of oil. Let's face it, these high prices are here to stay. Sure they may drop below $3 again next winter, but we'll never see prices drop below $2 ever again. At least not until demand is cut in half by creating realistic alternative fuel options, changing lifestyle habits such as living closer to work or using alternate modes of transportation, or destroying all Middle Eastern governments and taking control of their oil fields. Although Bush would probably lean towards the third option, methinks that would be the hardest to accomplish.

Either we look ahead and embrace the future or we allow our nation to weaken by living in the past. Let's increase the gas tax to fund intensive research into alternative fuels, to improve and expand public transportation, and to run public education campaigns on how to cut back on fuel usage. The time is now for America to wake up from its sprawling suburban dream. New York State can be at the leading edge of the new movement towards an oil-free future. Please Albany, don't listen to the cowards who are so afraid of change that they're more willing to send their children to fight in the desert than adjust their way of life. This is capitalism at its finest after all.

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Pictures from the Collapsed South Avenue Helix

As promised, here are some photos of the collapse. It was ugly as sin anyways. Maybe this is an opportunity to replace the helix with a more attractive option.

Pictures taken by yours truly.

Monday, April 24, 2006

South Avenue Garage Collapse Conspiracy Theory

If there's one thing everyone should know about we liberals, we love our conspiracy theories. Some could say it's paranoia, but we call it reasonable doubt. By now you've all heard about or driven by the collapsed helix ramp of the South Avenue parking garage downtown. What you might not realize is that we liberals are hard at work on a conspriracy theory behind it.

Having been built in 1974 and not maintained much at all during that time, it's logical to assume that this incident is attributable to long-term neglect. I disagree. You see, the garage has been under intense renovation for many months now. The company in charge of the work, Crane-Hogan Structural Systems, is based in Spencerport and has done similar large-scale work all over the region. You would think that, given their experience, they could have detected that something was wrong and tried to prevent it. They didn't and I think I know why.

Parking supply is the lifeblood of any mid-sized urban downtown. Most everyone who works downtown drives to their job and many thousands of them rely on the numerous City-owned garages to safely store their vehicle. When an incident like this takes place, it likely drains the confidence of those workers in the safety of their vehicles or themselves. Downtown already has a hard enough time competing with suburban office parks, this is another potential boulder in the path of revitalization. Is it possible that the suburban political leadership recognizes this and sees the failure of downtown as a benefit to their own tax bases? Is it possible that they convinced Crane-Hogan President, and active County Republican, Daniel Hogan to sabotage this project as a way to invigorate the stagnant suburban office market?

I highly doubt it, but as a good liberal, I must contribute to our love of conspiracy theories. Pictures from Saturday morning to follow.

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Why Do We Expect So Little From Our Kids?

The City of Rochester is providing an opportunity for City high school students (ages 14-18) to interview for summer internships with local companies. That in and of itself is an excellent idea and will hopefully motivate successful applicants towards a bright future. The requirements for taking part in the interviews however are laughable. According to 13WHAM News, "To qualify, teens must maintain a 2.0 grade point average; have a minimum 90-percent school attendance; and have no long-term suspensions on their records."

I'm all for this program, but these requirements are miserable. Is this how much we expect of our City School District students? What are we telling kids by having such low standards? Why try harder if the brain-dead kid sitting next to you is going to get the same opportunities as you are? Even George W. Bush could qualify for this program. How about a minimum 2.5 GPA? How about a minimum 95-percent attendance record? How about no suspensions, period? Is that really too much to ask? Heaven forbid we demand excellence out of our kids these days.

Friday, April 14, 2006

Ronnie Davis Hates Competition

As most folks around these parts know, the High Falls Entertainment Resort is now fully open. The cavernous former Jillian's on Commercial Street is now home to five venues (Cheyenne Supper Club, Palm Bar, CocoLoco's, KingPinz, and Saddle Ridge) all under one roof. Count me among those that are very excited to have the new entertainment options in town. Maybe, at least for a few months, the East End will have some competition for our drinking dollars.

Not everyone is terribly happy about the competition though. Ronnie Davis, the man behind Daisy Duke's, Soho East, Alexander Street Pub, Coyote Joes, and BarFly, among others, got his name in the paper today for complaining about how the new folks in High Falls were promoting themselves. We all know it's really not the promotions that upset Davis, it's the new competition. This guy all but controls Rochester's nightlife, flooding our market with fratboy-oriented, Top 40 blaring, beer bars that make the average 23-year-old say, "I gotta get the hell out of this town."

For years Davis has complained about the public money that goes into High Falls to make it an entertainment destination. He had a valid point. Why subsidize a new entertainment zone when the East End and to a lesser extent the St Paul Quarter and Monroe Ave were already fulfilling our partying needs? The difference is that High Falls is probably the most unique setting in Rochester, let alone in any major city in the country. How many other cities can claim a revitalized mill district alongside a 96-foot high waterfall in the middle of its downtown? None. But because of its location, it needed a boost. With the planned conversion of the Parry Machine Building to residential use and a rumored new condo development at the corner of State and Platt, High Falls finally appears to have a bright future.

I'm not saying that the High Falls Entertainment Resort is the panacea for what ails Rochester's unadventurous nightlife. For instance, I don't see myself spending too much time getting drunk and going bowling - isn't that what most of us did in high school? But I'm officially in my late-twenties and the thought of watching meatheads fight and sorority girls vomit while listening to 50-Cent and drinking a Labatt Blue bottle just doesn't appeal to me any more. At least not every night. So welcome to Rochester, new guys. Here's hoping you succeed where Jillians failed.

Wednesday, April 05, 2006

Downtown Dormant? Nonsense!

The editors of the D&C must like to hear themselves talk. That's the only logical explanation for today's op-ed piece comparing downtown development in Syracuse to that of Rochester. How they came to the conclusion that downtown Syracuse is somehow doing better than downtown Rochester is beyond my comprehension. Furthermore, their assertion that it is the responsibility of local colleges and universities to pick up the perceived slack is absolute ludicrosity.

The D&C points out that there is some $600 million in construction projects underway in Syracuse's downtown core. Granted, I'm not all that familiar with current events in that city, but I do know that included among that $600 million are major construction on I-81 through downtown as well as a new connector road between the University and the downtown area. I would also assume that a controversial new sewage treatment plant proposed for the Armory Square area is included in that figure. On top of that, it wouldn't surprise me if monies related to the all-but-defunct DestiNY USA and Syracuse Inner Harbor projects are also in that $600 million.

Let's compare that with the Rochester Downtown Development Corporation's latest figures for investment in our downtown. RDDC lists some $500 million in projects here, the lion's share of which is attributable to Renaissance Square. Also included on that list are projects with no costs attached such as redevelopment of the Parry Machine Building in High Falls or the Natatorium Building near Washington Square. Other projects are missing from the list such as the long-awaited Charlotte Street housing development and the now-controversial plans for a mid-sized theatre appropriate for Garth Fagan Dance and other troupes. All of this would likely push the total dollar amount to more than $600 million. Oh, that high-end supermarket they mention? Yeah, they're planning on opening one of those here too. So what the heck was the D&C trying to say?

The gist of the piece (I think) is that the powers that be are not doing enough to encourage development of student housing downtown. Nevermind the fact that preliminary drawings for Renaissance Square show a number of new residential structures to the north of the site that would likely attract the type of tenants the D&C desires and nevermind the fact that private developers are filling this void, such as is being done with the Halo Lofts on Grove Street. My question is, how much more non-taxable development can the City afford in its downtown? We need to be careful to balance private (taxable) development with public (non-taxable) initiatives so that the City does not unnecessarily harm itself.

Still, I agree in principle that local colleges and universities could do more to support and enhance downtown Rochester. I have long dreamed of one project in particular that could be a real linchpin in downtown development. That idea is to move RIT's Schools of Art, Crafts, Design, Film/Video/Animation, and Photography to downtown. Specifically, the new Rochester Institute of Art & Design could be located at RIT's original campus on the west side of downtown bounded by Plymouth Ave, Broad St, and I-490. A number of these buildings are currently vacant or could be vacant in the near future - this is an opportunity to fill them up in one fell swoop.

Why those particular schools and why RIT? Because it is a miracle that RIT produces such incredible talent from such an uninspiring campus as their Henrietta Brick City. I have discussed this with some RIT grads and faculty and they agree that changing to an urban campus would foster a more creative learning experience for these budding artists. The Institute would still be affiliated with RIT, similar to how the Eastman School of Music is part of the University of Rochester. But I digress...

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