![Did an asteroid land in the parking lot at Ontario Beach? Not quite. This 100 ton hunk of slag is a remnant from an old steel mill. [PHOTO: Fred Amato]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/slag-button-charlotte-beach-rochester-01.jpg)
David DiPonzio, a firefighter with the Lake Shore Fire District in Greece, sent me these photos (taken by friend Fred Amato) of a strange-looking crater in the middle of the parking lot 
at Ontario Beach Park. An asteroid? Uh, not quite. This may be the most interesting archeological find since RGRTA dug up the RKO Palace. That big rock you see in the center of the crater is actually a giant hunk of slag – left over from the iron or steel mill that once operated here…
A 100 Ton Discovery at the Port of Rochester
June 17th, 2013Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images, Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Development | 12 Comments »
Tags: Bethlehem Steel, blast furnace, Charlotte Beach, City of Rochester, construction, David DiPonzio, iron button, iron mill, Jim McIntosh, Lake Shore Fire District, Ontario Beach Park, Port of Rochester/Charlotte, Quinnesee Iron Mining Co., Rochester, Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E), Rochester NY, slag, steel mill
Sense of Place: Lessons from Elsewhere
June 13th, 2013Posted in Opinion, Reader Submitted Stories, Urban Development | 2 Comments »
![Monroe County Tuberculosis Sanatorium, Children's Building. To be demolished. [PHOTO: Albert R. Stone, 1911.]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/iola-tuberculosis-sanatorium-1911.jpg)
The following is a guest post submitted by Joel Helfrich.
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It is through the process of defining what we want as a town that we are becoming a real community. It is through the act of participation that we change.
This is not simply a story of not-in-my-backyard. It is the unfolding tale of how a small community … is rising to its own defense, saying, we believe we have a stake in the future of our own community, which we choose to define beyond our own boundaries of time and space and species…
Tags: Cataract Brewery, CityGate, demolition, Greece, historic preservation, Hojack Swing Bridge, Iola Campus, Iola Tuberculosis Sanatorium, Joel Helfrich, Our Lady of Mercy, Rochester, Rochester NY, St. Ann's Community, Terry Tempest Williams, The Open Space of Democracy
1 Week and 300 Fare Cards Left To Give Away
June 12th, 2013Posted in Events, Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure | No Comments »
The following is a repost from ReconnectRochester.org.
ROC Transit Day is just a week away. About 85 local businesses and organizations have signed up to participate on June 20 – either encouraging their employees & members to leave their cars home, or by offering exclusive deals to transit riders .
Rex the Rhino is planning his bus ride as we speak. Music buskers are tuning up for their performances during the evening rush hour on Main Street. Murphy’s Law on East Avenue is priming the kegs for our happy hour celebration (RSVP here ). And our volunteers are wrapping up HUNDREDS of prizes to deliver to random transit riders.
Get Your Fare Card!
Best of all, we still have 300 limited edition ROC Transit Day fare cards left to give away before the 20th. And we’re making them available to you now – first come first serve. Send us your mailing address and let us know how many fare cards you’d like (no more than 5 per person please). Email your request to info@reconnectrochester.org.
We can’t guarantee on time delivery for requests made after Sunday, June 16. So email us now!
Tags: bus, mass transit, mass transportation, public transit, Reconnect Rochester, Regional Transit Service (RTS), ROC Transit Day, Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA)
Inside the Iola Tuberculosis Sanatorium
June 10th, 2013Posted in Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester History, Rochester Images | 14 Comments »
![The abandoned Iola Tuberculosis Sanatorium. [PHOTO: Sarah Barnes]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/iola-tuberculosis-sanatorium-001.jpg)
The following photographs were submitted by Sarah Barnes. The historical text is taken from a Historic Resource Evaluation prepared for Monroe County in 2000 by Bero Associates.
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RocSubway fans, This past Sunday morning (6/2/13), I went with a friend of mine to check out the Iola Campus site . I have lived in Rochester all my life and I have always been intrigued by those buildings (my aunt actually used to live in the apartments across the street). About 6 months ago, I started a little urban exploring group with some friends and coworkers; Iola was one of the first places of interest. With the CityGate project fast approaching, I knew I had to take the risk and visit Iola while I still could. Rather than taking a big group, just two of us went since we were not sure what the security situation would be like. The whole campus was great. A lot of the buildings had pretty easy access points, but there were a couple we could not get in to, due to time constraints (and proximity to the main road!). I hope that you all enjoy the shots! - Sarah Barnes
Tags: abandoned, abandoned places, AJ Costello & Son, Brighton, Charles F. Crandall, City Gate, CityGate, Costco, development, East Henrietta Road, historic preservation, Horace T. Hatton, Iola Campus, Iola Tuberculosis Sanatorium, Monroe Community Hospital, Monroe County, preservation, Rochester, Rochester history, Rochester NY, rochester photos, Sarah Barnes, Siegmund Firestone, urban development, urban exploration, urban explorers, Westfall Road
30 Months at Midtown
June 7th, 2013Posted in Rochester Images, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Development | 3 Comments »
![Midtown Plaza site, Rochester, NY. [PHOTO: Earthcam.com Archives]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-midtown-plaza-01.jpg)
The photo above was taken in January, 2011. Late last year we looked at the plans for the new public spaces at Midtown Plaza. Work on the site is now progressing quickly – and those plan drawings are becoming reality. The old Midtown buildings are gone. The new Windstream building is mostly complete. And this week, the first street curbs have been installed giving shape to the new Cortland Street. Here’s a birds-eye view of the past 30 months progress…
Tags: construction, Cortland Street, demolition, downtown Rochester, Midtown Plaza, Midtown Tower, Rochester, rochester images, Rochester NY, rochester photos, time-lapse, Windstream
Lincoln Tower… Through 1970, and beyond.
June 5th, 2013Posted in Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester History, Rochester Images, Urban Development | 12 Comments »
![The Lincoln First Tower, now called Chase Tower was completed in the summer of 1972 at a cost of $20 million. It is 398 feet tall. [Looking North. Stone St. is on the left, and Broad St. on the bottom]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-chase-tower-04.jpg)
The following is a guest post submitted by Jimmy Combs.
Submit your story today.
In 1970 a Lincoln Rochester Trust Co. advertisement in the Daily Record hailed, “Lincoln Tower… a tangible expression of our belief in the growth of Upstate New York… Through 1970 and beyond.”
The Lincoln First Tower, now called Chase Tower was completed in the summer of 1972 at a cost of $20 million. It is 398 feet tall. It contains about 356,000 square feet of office space. It is a big building. Just like the Xerox Tower, Chase Tower has roots in Seattle. John Graham and Company is an architecture firm based in Seattle…
Tags: 4th Ward Theater District, Chase Tower, Clinton Avenue, Clinton Square, Colonial Theatre, Daily Record, Genesee Crossroads South Urban Renewal Project, John Graham, John Graham and Company, Lincoln Alliance Building, Lincoln First Tower, Lincoln Rochester Trust Co., Lyceum Theatre, Main Street, Midtown Plaza, Seattle, Sibley's Department Store, Space Needle, Temple Theatre, Victoria Theatre, Xerox Square, Xerox Tower
Rochester Is Getting On Board ROC Transit Day
June 4th, 2013Posted in Events, Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure | No Comments »
A few short weeks ago I told you about ROC Transit Day 2013. The idea is simple… pedestrians make for a vibrant city. The more people Rochester has walking the streets instead of driving, the stronger our community will be; and the stronger our local economy will be. ROC Transit Day is a holiday from our cars. It’s a day to celebrate local businesses. And it’s a day to cast a symbolic vote for a stronger transit system…
Tags: bus, mass transit, mass transportation, public transit, Reconnect Rochester, Regional Transit Service (RTS), ROC Transit Day, Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA)
Bull’s Head: Reports of Its Death Have Been Somewhat Exaggerated
June 2nd, 2013Posted in Rochester Destinations, Rochester History, Rochester Images, Rochester News, Urban Development | 13 Comments »
![Rumors have been swirling around the internet that the famous Bull's Head that marks the historic Bull's Head section of Rochester has been lost in a recent demolition on West Main Street. [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-bullshead-stores-03.jpg)
Rumors have been swirling around the internet that the famous Bull’s Head that marks the historic Bull’s Head section of Rochester has been lost in a recent demolition on West Main Street. It is true this landmark has recently lost several important neighbors, but for now, the Bull in Bull’s Head is still with us…
Tags: Bull's Head, Bulls Head / B.E.S.T., Bullshead, Chili Avenue, Critic's Restaurant, Genesee Street, Joan Roby-Davison, John Curran, Rochester, Rochester neighborhoods, Rochester neighborhoods map, Rochester NY, West Main Street
Lost & Found
May 31st, 2013Posted in Opinion | 4 Comments »
![Don't you hate it when your Gatorade gets sucked out your car window? [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rons-plumbing-ac-heating-litter-03.jpg)
Don’t you hate it when this happens? You’re truckin’ along, you got your radio cranked way up, sippin’ on some blue Gatorade. You’re feeling pretty good… then, all of a sudden – WOOSH! Your Gatorade bottle gets sucked right out the window and lands on the side of the road. ARRRRH! I HATE that!
Tags: Gatorade, litter, plastic, plastic bottle, Ron's Plumbing AC & Heating, Saint Paul Boulevard
Filling In: Holmes Tract
May 29th, 2013Posted in Opinion, Reader Submitted Stories, Urban Development | 61 Comments »
![The corner of Atlantic and Anderson in the Holmes Tract. Gleason doesn't want this lot anymore. Maybe we can put it to good use? [PHOTO: Google Streetview]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/filling-in-holmes-tract-01.jpg)
The following is a guest post submitted by Matthew Denker.
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Oh 1926, it seems like you were only 87 years ago. Oh wait, what, it was only 87 years ago? Ok then. Well, since the Neighborhood of the Arts is receiving so much press these days, let’s take a look at a piece of the neighborhood from then and see what was happening.
Tags: 933 University Avenue, Anderson Avenue, Atlantic Avenue, demolition, development plans, Filling In, George Eastman House, Holmes Tract, Matthew Denker, Monroe Voiture, Neighborhood of the Arts, Norwood Street, NotA, preservation, preservation district, Rochester, Rochester NY, University Avenue
History of Seabreeze Amusement Park
May 27th, 2013Posted in Rochester Destinations, Rochester History, Rochester Images | 21 Comments »
![Seabreeze Amusement Park. [PHOTO: Courtesy Seabreeze Amusement Park]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/seabreeze-jackrabbit-and-trolley.jpg)
About two months ago I attended a presentation by Matthew Caulfield on the history of Seabreeze Park . Caulfield started working at the park when he was a young twenty-something whippersnapper. At some point he got himself a “real job” at the Library of Congress. Now in his 80′s and retired, he’s back doing what he loves, as the park’s archivist. The following notes and images are just a snippet of his entire presentation which he has assembled over time with the help of his friend Alan Mueller…
Tags: Alan Mueller, Arthur Long, Boardwalk Park, carousel, Danceland, Dreamland, George Long, Honeymoon Trail, Irondequoit, Jack Kirby, Jack Rabbit, Karnival Kourt, Matthew Caulfield, natatorium, Old Mill, Paul Moore, Philadelphia Toboggan Company, Rochester & Suburban Railway Co., Rochester Transit Corporation, Seabreeze Amusement Park, Town of Irondequoit
Enhancing CityGate
May 22nd, 2013Posted in Opinion, Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester History, Rochester Images, Urban Development | 8 Comments »
![The abandoned Iola Tuberculosis Sanatorium, Nurses' Building. [PHOTO: Mike Bouwmeester]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-iola-sanatorium-nurses-building.jpg)
The following is a guest post submitted by Mike Bouwmeeester.
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Welcoming Costco and RGRTA to CityGate is great. Ignoring walkability and losing all historic buildings isn’t. Our community needs walkable places. We need development that calms traffic and makes walking easy and safe. Moreover, our community needs to preserve its historic fabric. We need development that repurposes old buildings for new uses…
Tags: AJ Costello & Son, Brighton, City Gate, CityGate, Costco, demolition, development, development plans, East Henrietta Road, Henrietta, historic preservation, Iola Campus, Iola Tuberculosis Sanatorium, land use, Mike Bouwmeester, preservation, Rochester, smart growth, transit-oriented development, urban development, Westfall Road
Give Me CityGate
May 21st, 2013Posted in Opinion, Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Development | 47 Comments »
![Plan view of proposed CityGate project. [IMAGE: AJ Costello & Son]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/city-gate-site-plan-01.jpg)
No, seriously – give CityGate to ME, because I want to redesign it. The current plan is not worthy of the name. I may be the only person in western NY who didn’t crap themselves when they learned Costco was coming to town. I mean, Costco? Really? We need another one of these discount warehouses? Ok fine, I’ll let you have your Costco. No complaints from me. On one condition: Re-do this idiotic site plan! Look at this…
Tags: AJ Costello & Son, Brighton, City Gate, CityGate, Costco, development, development plans, East Henrietta Road, Erie Canal, Henrietta, Iola Campus, land use, parking, Rochester, smart growth, transit-oriented development, urban development, Westfall Road
Filling In: 933 University
May 20th, 2013Posted in Opinion, Reader Submitted Stories, Urban Development | 41 Comments »
![Proposed new development at 933 University Ave. [IMAGE: Morgan Management]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/933-university-ave-06.jpg)
The following is a guest post submitted by Matthew Denker.
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A great deal has already been written about the development planned at 933 University Ave. (see: here , here , and here ). Even so, it is important that we take a step back and really think about the kinds of arguments that are being made. Further, let us consider how the neighborhood could benefit from this development, how George Eastman House can meet its needs going forward (and better integrate with Neighborhood of the Arts, as they express a desire to do), and how to move the entire neighborhood towards the increased success it deserves…
Tags: 933 University Avenue, demolition, development plans, East Avenue, Filling In, George Eastman House, Matthew Denker, Monroe Voiture, Neighborhood of the Arts, NotA, preservation, preservation district, Rochester, Rochester NY, University Avenue
Public Forum: Development in Preservation Districts
May 18th, 2013Posted in Events, Rochester History, Rochester News, Urban Development | 2 Comments »
The Landmark Society is partnering with the Park-Meigs Neighborhood Association to hold a public forum on the evening of Tuesday, May 21 at 597 East Avenue . Up for discussion: the timely and controversial topic of new development in preservation districts. This is a community conversation you will NOT want to miss.
A panel of speakers, representing developers, homeowners, business owners, urban planners, and The Landmark Society, will offer their perspective, followed by an open question and answer session. Speakers include Wayne Goodman, Executive Director of The Landmark Society; Glenn Kellogg, Urban Advisors; Joe Hanna, Hanna Properties; Steve Vogt, Rochester Young Professionals. RocSubway contributor, Matthew Denker will also weigh in. Can new development benefit preservation districts? How can the new co-exist with the old? What is “good” development? These are some of the questions this forum will attempt to address.
Follow this link for more information.
Tags: development, event, Glenn Kellogg, Hanna Properties, Joe Hanna, Landmark Society of Western New York, Matthew Denker, preservation, preservation district, Rochester Young Professionals, Steve Vogt, Urban Advisors, Wayne Goodman
Did Xerox Tower Influence the Original Twin Towers?
May 16th, 2013Posted in Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester History, Urban Development | 13 Comments »
![Xerox Tower. Completed 1966. [PHOTO: Friscocali, Fickr]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/xerox-tower-rochester-friscocali.jpg)
The following is a guest post submitted by Jimmy Combs.
Submit your story today.
Ever notice how the Xerox Tower looks like one of the original World Trade Center towers? Did you know that the Xerox Tower was completed five years before the World Trade Center towers? Hmmm, so maybe the Xerox Tower inspired the design of the World Trade Center Towers? This would make Xerox Tower an extremely important building in the history of architecture. I had to do some research…
Tags: architecture, Buffalo, downtown Rochester, IBM building, Minoru Yamasaki, NBBJ, New York City, One M&T Plaza, Rochester, Rochester NY, Seattle, skyscraper, University of Washington, Welton Becket, Welton Becket and Associates, World Trade Center, Xerox Square, Xerox Tower
Manhattan Square Park Mural Erased
May 14th, 2013Posted in Art + Culture, Events, Rochester Destinations, Rochester Images, Rochester News, Urban Development | 16 Comments »
![The City recently painted over this mural, a fixture in Manhattan Square Park for probably 30 years. [PHOTO: Kristen Cavanaugh]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/manhattan-square-park-mural.jpg)
I haven’t been able to find anyone who knows exactly when this mural was painted, but it’s been a fixture in Manhattan Square Park for at least 30 years, says Charles Moreland, Executive Director of Rochester Parkour . The outdoor venue has been mostly abandoned for the past 10 years, but its concrete walls and irregular geometry make it ideal for practicing the fine art of Parkour. Charles’ group can often be found moving throughout the park. Yesterday Charles noticed the mural had been covered with a fresh coat of gray paint…
Tags: art, Charles Moreland, Chestnut Street, City of Rochester, downtown Rochester, Fringe Festival, Gay Alliance, Graffiti, Ian Wilson, Manhattan Square Park, mural, Roc Pride Festival, Rochester, Rochester NY, Rochester Parkour, Wall-Therapy
ROC Transit Day: Lose your car keys on June 20
May 13th, 2013Posted in Events, Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure | 19 Comments »
A year and half ago I managed to convince RGRTA to try something new. I said, “let me give away free bus rides for one day.” I imagined most people would say “no thanks, the bus isn’t for me.” But I also knew my mom was right when she said, “try it, you might like it.” That year I think maybe 200 people participated and left their cars at home for the day.
What began as a fun little experiment, has turned into ROC Transit Day – a full blown Rochester holiday from our cars. This year ROC Transit Day will be on Thursday, June 20.
In this, its second year, the volunteers at Reconnect Rochester are giving away 1,000 special edition RTS fare cards – designed by yours truly. And we’re asking Rochester’s business community to get involved too…
Tags: A Step Apart, Chartreuse Studios, Joe Bean Coffee Roasters, Reconnect Rochester, Regional Transit Service (RTS), ROC Transit Day, Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA), Small World Food
Until We Meet Again, Spider-Man
May 10th, 2013Posted in Events, Opinion, Rochester Images, Rochester News | 4 Comments »
![Filming of Spider Man 2 in Rochester, NY. [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/spider-man-rochester-ny-01.jpg)
Hey kids, you know what today is? That’s right, Fun Foto Friday! I know you’ve probably had your fill of spandex-wrapped web-slingers, street closures, and NYC squad cars blowing up everywhere. But I just wanted to post some of my pics from the last couple days of Spider-Man filming. And I’d like to see yours too. If you were able to slip past the barricades and snag a few good shots, go ahead and post a link in the comments section…
Tags: Amazing Spider Man 2, car chase, downtown Rochester, film, Hollywood, Main Street, movie, NYPD, Rochester, Rochester NY, Spider Man
Hilton Hotels Eyes Some Interesting Old Buildings on Main Street
May 9th, 2013Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images, Rochester News, Urban Development | 14 Comments »
![The Hilton hotel chain is strongly considering adapting this five-story former National Clothing Store on Main Street into a Hilton Garden Inn. [PHOTO: Rochester Public Library]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/national-clothing-store-rochester-2013.jpg)
A recent story in the Rochester Business Journal had me pleasantly surprised to learn that the Hilton hotel chain is strongly considering adapting a five-story former clothing store at 155 E. Main Street into a Hilton Garden Inn. Around the corner at 25 Stone Street , a smaller two-story building (formerly the Stone Street Grill) would also be part of the 15 million dollar plan.
Normally I don’t get all revved up for national chains, but there are at least two REALLY good things happening here: Private interest/investment in Main Street (good), AND adaptive reuse of three or four old buildings (REALLY GOOD).
I also learned something very interesting about these buildings. What’s old may be new again…
Tags: adaptive reuse, Burpee Seed Company, DHD Ventures LLC, downtown Rochester, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Hotel, Hotel Eggleston, James Vick, James Vick's Sons seed company, Main Street, National Clothing Store, Rochester, Rochester NY, Stone Street, Thomas Masaschi, Vick Quality Seeds
Rochester Business News
