Friday, March 30, 2007

Developer Drops Out of La Marketa; a Blessing in Disguise?

This morning's paper contains a news brief stating that Buckingham Properties has decided to drop out as lead developer for the La Marketa development on North Clinton Avenue, or as it is more popularly known, Avenida Clinton Norte. Despite the City's efforts to knock down buildings and prep the site for development, Buckingham "can't make the numbers work." While some may choose to view this as a bad sign for the project's viability (and it surely is when viewed purely out of free market economics), I choose to look at it as a stroke of good luck for our city and for all small businesses in the area.

Now that Buckingham has abandoned the project, we may be able to preserve the two buildings at 804 and 844 North Clinton that help give the block its vibrant urban feel. As was described a couple of months ago, these two historic multi-story structures (one recently rehabbed, the other holding a long-time Chinese restaurant) were to be demolished to make way for Buckingham's vision of La Marketa. If the City decides to take over as developer of the project, these buildings can be preserved and/or worked into the development. Furthermore, as I pointed out in a previous post, what Buckingham proposed for La Marketa was a bastardization of the original vision for the development. They turned what was supposed to be a traditional Latino marketplace into a pastel strip mall, complete with a large parking lot out front. As we all know, nothing screams Boricua more than a new Payless and a Dominos.

This seemingly unfortunate event may prove to be a God-send IF the City's Economic Development Department does the right thing and returns this project to its original intent. A tiled-roof strip mall does not instill a sense of home for the large and growing population of Cubans, Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, and other Latinos that reside in our City. A large front parking lot does nothing to enhance the La Avenida neighborhood; most folks in that area will walk, bike, or take transit (or should be encouraged to). Lastly, the historic buildings that were "standing in the way" of progress, can now be preserved as a major component of this highly-important neighborhood revitalization project. If the City does not act appropriately, maybe Benderson will step in and provide this community with what it surely needs - a pastel tiled-roof Walgreens.

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Wegmans "Dedication to City" Puts Residents in Danger

Today's Democrat & Chronicle had a quick blurb about a large steel antenna falling onto East Avenue from the historic but now abandoned Doyle Security building (the news brief follows this commentary). This structure is one of many on the block between Probert Street and Winton Road that were purchased by Wegmans in their continuing attempt to force-feed suburban retail design into a city neighborhood. Prior to Wegmans' purchase, this was a well-maintained and fully-occupied building housing a responsible local business. Now, as Wegmans continues to struggle with the concept of adjusting their suburban big box model to meet the realities of serving the City of Rochester, and despite the building's historic significance and the fact that Wegmans has not yet been granted any approvals for building here, this building and others around it are being allowed to fall apart.

As is the case with any other landlord that fails to keep up his or her property, Wegmans should be given notice that they must maintain these buildings in a state of good repair or risk hefty fines. As far as I'm concerned, most of these buildings deserve to be saved from the wrecking ball. Wegmans can work around them or incorporate them into their new store design. Clearly though, the powers that be at Wegmans headquarters are more interested in seeing these buildings decline to the point of no return. Once they're gone, there will be little reason to fight their ill-conceived store expansion. That may please many of the 20-somethings in the Park and East Avenue neighborhoods, who can continue their typical suburban lifestyles for the few years that they live in the City before moving to the suburbs to raise their children. But to any of us who have chosen to raise a family in the City, this is a disaster. We do not want to see our City turned into a playground for suburbanites nor do we want any one of our City business districts turned into a sick caricature on suburban America. We do not want to see one of our grandest boulevards (East Avenue) turned into a high-speed, drive-through, big box suburban thoroughfare. One need only look at Mount Hope Avenue south of Elmwood to see the negative effects the imposition of suburban design has on a City street. If this City gives a damn about its future, it will hold Wegmans' collective feet to the fire and not allow this important business district to collapse.

Steel antenna falls on road

No one was injured when an 80-foot steel antenna came loose and fell from a building on East Avenue Monday evening, but the road was closed for more than an hour as the debris was cleared. The antenna, which once was used by the Doyle Security Co. at 1806 East Ave., near North Winton Road, fell from the 40-foot building onto the street below about 7:15 p.m., said Battalion Chief Mike Dupra.

Although there was heavy rain and lightning in the area, Dupra said it doesn't appear the antenna was struck. Some cables holding the antenna in place apparently failed, he said.
Crews from Rochester Gas and Electric Corp. removed the antenna, which belongs to Wegmans Food Markets since it purchased the building.

Friday, March 16, 2007

Quality Quotes on Amerks / Blue Cross Arena Debacle

The following quotes were published in the online edition of today's Rochester Business Journal. Reading them, I had the eerie sense of deja vu. I felt like these folks had somehow reached into my brain, pulled out my thoughts, and put them to paper. Alas, unless I was remarkably inebriated and do not remember coming up with new aliases, these are in fact real citizens of the Rochester area. I just want to say thank you to Chris Fridd and Paul Nunes. Well said gentlemen, well said.

"...More so, if we do in fact have to further subsidize the Amerks, or any other team for that matter, to keep them in Rochester, then it should be the responsibility of this county, perhaps the five-county region, to subsidize the Amerks, not just the city of Rochester residents. I am growing increasingly tired of the welchers that move to or have always lived in the suburbs, as they groan in disgust at the increasingly underperforming city schools as a result of them taking/keeping their children out of these schools, and they turn around and expect that a poor minority in the city should fund their play time. Quite frankly...Piss Off!"
—Chris Fridd, lifelong city resident

"Without commenting on city support for these excellent sport teams, I’d like to see our local brewery’s products featured at all publicly financed sport facilities in Rochester. It’s mind-boggling that we promote Canadian (and other out-of-town) products to the detriment of High Falls Brewery’s fine products (e.g. Michael Shea’s, Honey Brown, Genny Cream). High Falls is a hometown business which employs taxpaying Rochesterians, the same kind of folks who support these teams. Also, High Falls should be supported as a matter of public pride. How many cities in the US can claim a premier brewery as its own? If we are keen to support our local sport teams, why not our local brewery?"
—Paul Nunes

Of course, I do pray that the powers that be save the Amerks. A year without AHL hockey in Rochester would be a very sad year for me.

Monday, March 12, 2007

Opportunity Knocking at NYMT

Today's paper includes a short article about the New York Museum of Transportation (NYMT) and its potential closure due to sewer and water issues. Well over a year ago, I proposed moving the NYMT from its inaccessible and out-of-the-way Rush campus to the Main Street Armory adjacent to downtown Rochester. At that time, the Armory was just beginning its now-successful rebirth as a sports and entertainment venue. Given the number and quality of events that facility has since hosted and has scheduled in the coming months, I no longer believe that the Armory is the appropriate place for the NYMT. It just so happens though that another even more appropriate location is back on the market.

As you probably know, the Saddle Ridge Entertainment Resort in High Falls shut down a few months back. Since that time, Cordish's once-vibrant "High Falls Live" concept also shuttered its doors. City Hall recently released a report calling for the repositioning of High Falls from an entertainment district to a mixed-use village focused on new housing and office space. Given the announcement of the 80-unit Mills at High Falls development, the minimum six-unit renovation of the long-vacant Parazin Building, and the eight-unit renovation of the Parry Machine Building, it appears that this is indeed the right direction for High Falls to take. The question remains though, what to do with the large spaces that were once home to major entertainment venues? That's where the NYMT comes in.

It is clear to me that the High Falls HISTORIC District is the perfect home for a museum of transportaton. The building that once housed Jillians and Saddle Ridge happens to be a former trolley barn for the city's once-extensive streetcar system. It also (reportedly) served as a powerhouse for the mighty New York Central Railway. While the cavernous 40,000-square foot structure was too big for entertainment in this town, that size makes it well-suited for exhibiting old streetcars, steam locomotives, fire engines, etc. Frankly, it boggles the mind to consider why the NYMT is located way out in Rush, far from any semblance of transportation history. It is no surprise that the museum currently hosts only 6,000 people a year. If you've ever been to the museum, you know that the treasures contained within its walls are worthy of thousands more pairs of eyes. Having a new facility in High Falls, at the heart of the community, would guarantee significantly more patrons than it receives today.

The only attractive feature I see at the Rush campus that would keep it from moving is the closed track where patrons can ride a historic trolley. There is a possibility though that this could be improved upon by moving to High Falls. Given that the trolley barn is located immediately adjacent to the CSX main line; wouldn't it be fun to ride that same historic trolley between High Falls and the Public Market using the CSX right-of-way? Not only would the trolley serve a real transportation purpose, and possibly generate income for the museum, it would surely bring crowds of people to High Falls every Saturday morning.

Of course, CSX is not exactly known for their community-friendly policies; however, this would be a great opportunity for them to gain some positive exposure. There appears to be room along most of the CSX right-of-way to lay track for the trolley. I assume they can re-use the rails and ties from the closed 1/4-mile track in Rush for part of the roughly 1.5-mile trip. A modest State or Federal earmark could be easily obtained to pay for the station areas and any infrastructure needs. The uncertain future that the NYMT currently faces provides a great opportunity to bring crowds to High Falls, attention to a great little museum, and life to a very prominent structure. That's a trifecta our community can bet on.

Friday, March 09, 2007

Hyatt Regency Rochester: 15 Years and Still Unfinished

I know I'm a little late with this post, but as the old saying goes, late is the true path of the righteous. Okay so I made that up, but it sounded good, right? Moving on... Last week's Rochester Business Journal featured a nice article about the 15th anniversary of the opening of the Hyatt Regency Rochester. Like many other high-profile projects in Rochester, the development of the Hyatt was a fumbled mess. The Hyatt began construction in 1987 but ceased after two years for a variety of factors that you can read up on somewhere else. The unfinished shell of the 27-story tower marred the downtown skyline for three years and was the butt of jokes then as the ferry is the butt of jokes now. All good things come to an end of course, and the Hyatt opened to the public in 1992 as the luxury convention hotel that downtown Rochester lacked.

The Hyatt is currently in the midst of a multi-million dollar renovation that is bringing updated rooms and common areas as well as an improved restaurant. Unfortunately, I think they plan on keeping Palladio rather than bringing in a new dining concept, which is certainly disappointing to any loyal downtowner. Regardless, the Hyatt will be returned to its original lustre of 15 years earlier and should please hotel-goers and the convention crowd. That being said, there is one aspect of the Hyatt that was never built and as such, the building should be considered to remain unfinished. The original design by architects Gruzen Samton Steinglass incorporated a crown on the top of the Hyatt. Take a close look at it next time you're in view of the building. It does seem a bit short and stubby, no? Now picture a brass-tinted shiny pyramid-shaped crown atop the hotel. To me, that missing crown is a glaring example of the Rochester area's inability to get things right the first time. While probably exorbitantly costly, the psychological benefit of completely finishing this building as it was intended would be priceless.