![Doomed Brewery buildings as seen from Cataract Street from Saint Paul Street. The High Falls Historic District and Kodak Tower are in the background. [PHOTO: Crystal Pix, Inc.]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/genesee-brewery-cataract-demolition-01.jpg)
As North American Breweries / Genesee Brewery are preparing to demolish the Cataract Brewhouse, we are preparing to capture the tragic event as it unfolds. Crystal Pix, Inc. (Fairport, NY) 
has graciously volunteered to document the development of the GardenAerial project, and as part of that story, the demolition of 13 Cataract will be immortalized as well… sadly.
Countdown to Destruction
April 29th, 2012Posted in Rochester Images, Rochester News | 2 Comments »
Tags: Cataract Brewery, Cataract Street, Crystal Pix, demolition, downtown Rochester, Genesee Brewery, Hotel Rochester, Inc., Kodak Park demolition, Mike Battle, Rochester, Rochester NY
A “2nd Chance” for Community Gardens Near the Public Market
April 21st, 2012Posted in Events, Rochester News | 5 Comments »
Community supported urban agriculture is an idea that’s been taking root in neighborhoods across Rochester for several years now. Brian Pettit and his partner Eugene are disabled veterans who have been working to convert empty lots near Rochester’s public market into community gardens. They dubbed their first garden lot “2nd Chance Central Park” because of its location (2nd Street & Central Park), its rejuvenating impact on the neighborhood, as well as the recycled materials in use.
This “2nd Chance” garden had been producing heirloom tomatoes, peppers and potatoes since 2009 until it was accidentally bulldozed by the City last Spring. And suddenly the name has taken on a whole new meaning…
Tags: 2nd Chance Central Park, 2nd Chance Community Garden, Brian Pettit, Central Park, community gardening, Ecopy Rochester, Rochester Public Market, sustainability, urban agriculture, urban gardening
Mobile Recording Studio Seeks Freestyle Talent
April 15th, 2012Posted in Interviews, Video | 1 Comment »
Meet local rapper “Bricksonion”. Brick first started rapping when he was 13, but didn’t take it very seriously until he was about 23. Now he is known around town for his music , and for operating Rochester’s first mobile recording studio.
Tags: art, artist, Bricksonion, Chili Avenue, Clifford Avenue, hip hop, Hudson Avenue, mobile recording studio, New York, North Clinton Avenue, rap, rapper, Rochester, Rochester NY, video
From Eyesore to Opportunity: Rochester’s Cataract Brewhouse
April 4th, 2012Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images, Urban Development | 2 Comments »
All the controversy over whether or not to demolish the 120 year-old brewhouse at 13 Cataract Street got us thinking. Those in favor of demolishing the building say it’s an eyesore and a haven for drug dealers; even prostitutes. So, just remove the building and our problems go away.
Right?
But if we demolished every eyesore in Rochester, would we have solved all the City’s problems? Or might we end up tossing the proverbial “baby” out with the bath water? Over the past two weeks we’ve reviewed at some local eyesores …or rather, opportunities, nearly lost. Those include the Flatiron Building, Station 55, Hoyt-Potter House, Lehigh Valley Railroad Station (Dinosaur Bar-B-Que), Parazin Building, Partners Building, and the Powers Building.
Tonight the Preservation Board and Planning Commission will hear public comments and decide whether or not 13 Cataract will join the ranks of the reborn, or go the way of Rochester’s Bragdon Station and others.
Tags: adaptive reuse, Cataract Brewery, Cataract Brewing Company, Cataract Street, From Eyesore to Opportunity, High Falls, Rochester, Rochester NY
From Eyesore to Opportunity: Rochester’s Teoronto/Smith Block
April 3rd, 2012Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images, Urban Development | No Comments »
All the controversy over whether or not to demolish the 120 year-old brewhouse at 13 Cataract Street got us thinking. Those in favor of demolishing the building say it’s an eyesore and a haven for drug dealers; even prostitutes. So, just remove the building and our problems go away.
Right?
But if we demolished every eyesore in Rochester, would we have solved all the City’s problems? Or might we end up tossing the proverbial “baby” out with the bath water? For the next two weeks we’ll take a look at some local eyesores …or rather, opportunities, nearly lost.
Tags: adaptive reuse, From Eyesore to Opportunity, High Falls, Mill Street, Rochester, Rochester NY, State Street, Teoronto/Smith Block
From Eyesore to Opportunity: Rochester’s Powers Building
April 3rd, 2012Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images, Urban Development | 4 Comments »
All the controversy over whether or not to demolish the 120 year-old brewhouse at 13 Cataract Street got us thinking. Those in favor of demolishing the building say it’s an eyesore and a haven for drug dealers; even prostitutes. So, just remove the building and our problems go away.
Right?
But if we demolished every eyesore in Rochester, would we have solved all the City’s problems? Or might we end up tossing the proverbial “baby” out with the bath water? For the next two weeks we’ll take a look at some local eyesores …or rather, opportunities, nearly lost.
Tags: adaptive reuse, Eagle Hotel and Tavern, Four Corners, From Eyesore to Opportunity, Hamlet Scrantom, Main Street, Main Street Four Corners, Powers Banking House, Powers Building, Rochester, Rochester NY, State Street, Value Properties
From Eyesore to Opportunity: Rochester’s Partners Building
April 2nd, 2012Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images, Urban Development | No Comments »
All the controversy over whether or not to demolish the 120 year-old brewhouse at 13 Cataract Street got us thinking. Those in favor of demolishing the building say it’s an eyesore and a haven for drug dealers; even prostitutes. So, just remove the building and our problems go away.
Right?
But if we demolished every eyesore in Rochester, would we have solved all the City’s problems? Or might we end up tossing the proverbial “baby” out with the bath water? For the next two weeks we’ll take a look at some local eyesores …or rather, opportunities, nearly lost.
Tags: adaptive reuse, Entercom Rochester, F2 Design, From Eyesore to Opportunity, Handler Grosso Durfee Associates, High Falls, James Durfee, Mill Street, Norry Management Corp., Partners + Napier, Partners and Napier, Partners Building, Rochester, Rochester NY, Wolf Group
From Eyesore to Opportunity: Rochester’s Parazin Building
March 30th, 2012Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images, Urban Development | No Comments »
All the controversy over whether or not to demolish the 120 year-old brewhouse at 13 Cataract Street got us thinking. Those in favor of demolishing the building say it’s an eyesore and a haven for drug dealers; even prostitutes. So, just remove the building and our problems go away.
Right?
But if we demolished every eyesore in Rochester, would we have solved all the City’s problems? Or might we end up tossing the proverbial “baby” out with the bath water? For the next two weeks we’ll take a look at some local eyesores …or rather, opportunities, nearly lost.
Tags: adaptive reuse, Ben Kendig, Browns Race, From Eyesore to Opportunity, High Falls, Mill Street, Parazin Building, Rochester, Rochester NY, Selye Fire Engine Company, Triphammer Mill, WXXI
From Eyesore to Opportunity: Rochester’s Lehigh Valley RR Station
March 29th, 2012Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images, Urban Development | 1 Comment »
All the controversy over whether or not to demolish the 120 year-old brewhouse at 13 Cataract Street got us thinking. Those in favor of demolishing the building say it’s an eyesore and a haven for drug dealers; even prostitutes. So, just remove the building and our problems go away.
Right?
But if we demolished every eyesore in Rochester, would we have solved all the City’s problems? Or might we end up tossing the proverbial “baby” out with the bath water? For the next two weeks we’ll take a look at some local eyesores …or rather, opportunities, nearly lost.
Tags: adaptive reuse, Carpe Diem nightclub, Court Street, Dinosaur Bar B Que, From Eyesore to Opportunity, John Stage, Lehigh Valley Railroad, Lehigh Valley Railroad Station, Max Farash, Rochester, Rochester NY
From Eyesore to Opportunity: Rochester’s Hoyt-Potter House
March 28th, 2012Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images, Urban Development | 11 Comments »
All the controversy over whether or not to demolish the 120 year-old brewhouse at 13 Cataract Street got us thinking. Those in favor of demolishing the building say it’s an eyesore and a haven for drug dealers; even prostitutes. So, just remove the building and our problems go away.
Right?
But if we demolished every eyesore in Rochester, would we have solved all the City’s problems? Or might we end up tossing the proverbial “baby” out with the bath water? For the next two weeks we’ll take a look at some local eyesores …or rather, opportunities, nearly lost.
Tags: adaptive reuse, Bero Architecture, Corn Hill Neighbors Association, Fitzhugh Street, From Eyesore to Opportunity, Hoyt-Potter house, Landmark Society of Western New York, Rochester, Rochester NY, Rochester Public Market
From Eyesore to Opportunity: Rochester’s Station 55
March 27th, 2012Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images, Urban Development | 11 Comments »
All the controversy over whether or not to demolish the 120 year-old brewhouse at 13 Cataract Street got us thinking. Those in favor of demolishing the building say it’s an eyesore and a haven for drug dealers; even prostitutes. So, just remove the building and our problems go away.
Right?
But if we demolished every eyesore in Rochester, would we have solved all the City’s problems? Or might we end up tossing the proverbial “baby” out with the bath water? For the next two weeks we’ll take a look at some local eyesores …or rather, opportunities, nearly lost.
Tags: adaptive reuse, Costanza Enterprises, From Eyesore to Opportunity, Railroad Street, Rochester, Rochester NY, Rochester Public Market, Station 55
From Eyesore to Opportunity: Rochester’s Flatiron Building
March 26th, 2012Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images, Urban Development | 5 Comments »
All the controversy over whether or not to demolish the 120 year-old brewhouse at 13 Cataract Street got us thinking. Those in favor of demolishing the building say it’s an eyesore and a haven for drug dealers; even prostitutes. So, just remove the building and our problems go away.
Right?
But if we demolished every eyesore in Rochester, would we have solved all the City’s problems? Or might we end up tossing the proverbial “baby” out with the bath water? For the next two weeks we’ll take a look at some local eyesores …or rather, opportunities, nearly lost.
Tags: adaptive reuse, Flatiron Building, From Eyesore to Opportunity, Paul Kramer, Rochester, Rochester NY, University Avenue
Genesee Brewery Visitor Center APPROVED!
March 14th, 2012Posted in Rochester News, Urban Development | No Comments »
Call it hard evidence; definitive proof that the immediate demolition of 13 Cataract is NOT necessary for the Brewery’s visitor center to be built.
Tags: Cataract Brewery, Genesee Brewery, Genesee Brewery Visitor Center, North American Breweries, Rochester, Rochester NY
Demolition of 13 Cataract. A Timeline of Events.
March 13th, 2012Posted in Rochester Images, Rochester News, Urban Development | 5 Comments »
![A stage where 13 Cataract brewhouse used to be? Not sure if this is serious or not. [RENDERING: Eric Mower and Associates]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/genesee-visitor-center-stage.jpg)
Yet another press release from the Brewery today. They are clearly on the defensive and changing their story every day. Now they say, “the building at 13 Cataract Street will NOT be replaced with a parking lot. See the attached rendering.”
I’m sorry, I just can’t take this rendering seriously. It looks like an episode of South Park unleashed on our streets. But hold on… if the Brewery wanted to put a stage in the place of the historic 13 Cataract building, why did their plans show a parking lot? Is this rendering real; or clever marketing spin? I think the answer lies somewhere in the Zoning Board’s January 19th decision.
Boy oh boy, this Brewery story is getting complicated. So let’s review the events that led to this horrific rendering issued yesterday. Here’s a timeline:
Tags: Cataract Brewery, Genesee Brewery, North American Breweries, Rochester, Rochester NY
Show of Support for Rochester’s Brewery Square Vision
March 9th, 2012Posted in Rochester News, Urban Development | 8 Comments »
Brewery CEO, Rich Lozyniak, said Thursday that those who want to save 13 Cataract Street are “a very small group of people standing in the way of progress.” I don’t believe tearing down a 120 year old brewing landmark for 27 parking spaces is progress… I’ve always supported the idea of a Brewery Visitor Center. But I also support the effort to save the 120 year old brewhouse across the street (13 Cataract ). And I know I’m not alone…
Now you can send an email to the Brewery’s CEO and City Hall to show your support .
After the jump you’ll see the story from News 10 NBC’s Lynette Adams…
Tags: Cataract Brewery, Genesee Brewery, North American Breweries, Rochester, Rochester NY
Press Release from Brewery CEO
March 8th, 2012Posted in Rochester News | 3 Comments »
Evidence that a story can be spun in multiple directions. Here is Rich Lozyniak today announcing that he has listened to the community but he’s not open to allowing 13 Cataract St. to be redeveloped—a building which was designated one of official historic value by the City in 2003. He’d rather threaten to scrap his project across the street than remain open to the possibility for two development projects side by side. The threatening tone of his statement below is clearly aimed to scare the Planning Board into denying Landmark status for 13 Cataract. Yet, somehow, it’s his name that is being “dragged through the mud”? Be careful what you wish for Mr. Lozyniak. That “small group of people” you say are standing in the way of progress might actually be standing on the progressive side of the issue. Enough of that. Here’s his statement…
Tags: Cataract Brewery, Genesee Brewery, North American Breweries, Rich Lozyniak
Dear Preservation Board:
March 4th, 2012Posted in Opinion, Rochester News, Urban Development | 7 Comments »
![13 Cataract Street at night. [Flickr Photo: Steven Yacuzzo]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/cataract-brewery-night.jpg)
This Wednesday the Preservation Board will decide whether or not to sponsor a citizen’s request to nominate 13 Cataract St. for Landmark Designation. If they sponsor the nomination it will move on to a public hearing and to the Planning Board for consideration later this month. If they don’t, it could spell the end for this valuable piece of our history and any possible redevelopment on the eastern rim of the High Falls gorge. In the meantime, North American Breweries, Inc. continues to move ahead with work on their visitor center across the street. No problems posed so far by the big bad historic building across the street.
The following is a letter I will be submitting to the Preservation Board (via Peter Siegrist, peter.siegrist@cityofrochester.gov).
I’m also sending copies to:
Mayor Richards
info@cityofrochester.gov
Carlos Carballada, Commissioner
carlos.carballada@cityofrochester.gov
Bret Garwood, Director, Business & Housing Development
bret.garwood@cityofrochester.gov
If you would like for 13 Cataract to be preserved, you should do the same. Use the email addresses above. And feel free to steal from my letter if you’d like…
Tags: A.C. Wagner, architecture, Cataract Brewery, Genesee Brewery, KPS Capital Partners, North American Breweries, Rochester, Rochester NY
Another High Falls Icon Will Come Down… Or not?
February 23rd, 2012Posted in Rochester News | 5 Comments »
![This smokestack which belongs to the old RG&E Bee Bee Station power plant has towered over the High Falls neighborhood since the 1940's. [PHOTO: skyscraperpage.com user: xzmattzx]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/high-falls-smokestack-xzmattzx.jpg)
Cars parked in the High Falls neighborhood this week got notices slipped under their wiper blades. RG&E will be demolishing the last Beebe Station smokestack sometime within the next six months due to high levels of asbestos contained within the structure.
Tags: Cataract Brewery, High Falls, North American Breweries, RG&E Beebe Station, Rochester, Rochester NY, smokestacks
Does Rochester Have a Parking Problem?
February 20th, 2012Posted in Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Development | 10 Comments »
Yes, we have a parking problem. Quite simply, there’s too much of it. It’s EVERWHERE. No rhyme or reason or method to the madness. We lost control of this problem decades ago when we bulldozed half of our downtown in the name of urban renewal, and to this very day we continue to allow our few urban spaces and historic buildings to be paved over.
At its best, this is land that’s not being used for any productive purpose but to store our cars on. More than that, these ugly gray patches of land create voids in our community; Dead-zones where no one wants to be for any length of time. These are places not worth caring about. And our city is literally covered with them…
Tags: downtown Rochester, map, parking, Rochester, Rochester NY
Winter Arrives for Rochester’s Polar Plunge
February 12th, 2012Posted in Events, Video | 2 Comments »
If you’re a snow bunny like me, this winter had been pretty darn cruel until today. Over the past 24 hours Rochester got nearly as much snow as it’s seen all season—and it landed just in time for the 2012 Lakeside Winter Celebration at Ontario Beach. We weren’t able to stick around for the wagon rides and the snow sculpting contest, but I did catch the good part—THE POLAR PLUNGE! If you got stuck at home digging out and missed the action, here’s a short video…
Tags: Charlotte Beach, Lakeside Winter Celebration, Ontario Beach Park, Polar Plunge, Rochester, Rochester NY, Winter Festival
