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New Gallery Exhibit: Revisiting Rochester

February 2nd, 2012
Posted in Events, Rochester Destinations, Rochester Images, Rochester News | 3 Comments »

High Falls, c.1900 [IMAGE: Part of 'Revisiting Rochester' exhibit]
A new exhibition celebrating Rochester’s heritage encourages us to honor and preserve our past as we seek to revive our city for the future. Beginning February 3, a collection of digitally-enhanced images of Rochester during the Progressive Era will be on display at Joe Bean Coffee Roasters [map external link] throughout the entire month of February.

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Rochester is Passed Up for Lego Space Landing

January 25th, 2012
Posted in Rochester News | 9 Comments »

Two teenagers from Toronto, Ontario sent this Lego man into space riding a weather balloon. One really tiny step for Lego man; One giant leap for mankind. [PHOTO: via Toronto Star]
Two teens from Toronto, Ontario did the unthinkable a few weeks ago. They launched a Lego man into space and recorded the whole thing! And get this, Rochester should have been the Lego man’s landing spot…

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Signs of Progress in Irondequoit?

January 23rd, 2012
Posted in Rochester News, Urban Development | 4 Comments »

A perspective drawing of proposed 'Irondequoit Square' at Titus and Cooper.
I dropped by the Irondequoit Planning Board meeting Monday night because there were two very interesting matters on the agenda. One of those was Irondequoit Square (or I-Square) which we covered here last August. The other involved an all-but-forgotten friend, Chase-Pitkin…

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Greentopia Film & Little Theatre Present, ‘Urbanized’, February 2.

January 21st, 2012
Posted in Events | 2 Comments »

'Urbanized' is a documentary film by Gary Hustwit about the design of cities.
The very same people responsible for Rochester’s Greentopia Festival are expanding the Greentopia brand this year to include a series of film screenings. My heart skipped a beat when I learned they’ll be bringing Gary Hustwit’s Urbanized external link to the Little Theatre for a one-night-only event featuring a panel discussion afterwards. I’ve been waiting for this movie to hit Rochester for months. Now I won’t have to travel to someone else’s city to see it!

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What to the Slave is the 4th of July?

January 15th, 2012
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images | 4 Comments »

An engraved portrait of Frederick Douglass, noted African-American abolitionist. Douglass was an active abolitionist in the Rochester area and a sought-after lecturer after the Civil War. After his home on South Avenue was destroyed by fire in 1872 he moved to Washington, D.C. [PORTRAIT BY: Ritchie, Alexander Hay, 1822-1895.]
On this Martin Luther King Jr. Day we are hopefully reminded of the inspiring actions and many speeches by an individual who dedicated his life to the pursuit of freedom and basic human rights—not just for one group, but for all people.

Of course, in Rochester we also remember other individuals who made tremendous contributions to this ongoing effort… Susan B. Anthony for women’s rights and suffrage. And Frederick Douglas (depicted above) for the abolition of slavery.

One speech in particular, given by Douglas on July 5, 1852 in Rochester, is arguably one of the most momentous oratories in American history. It’s one that helped set the stage for the transformation of America from a country that was, in Abraham Lincoln’s words, “half slave and half free” to one which was at least on its way to guaranteeing the “blessings of liberty” to all men (and eventually women)…

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Cataract Brewery Architect Died 77 Years Ago Today

January 10th, 2012
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images, Rochester Subway | 13 Comments »

A new web site paying homage to the endangered Cataract Brewery building popped up this week. The site is a treasure trove of historical documents, articles, and images and invites those interested to help 'Save Cataract'.
A new web site, SaveCataract.com external link, and a mountain of information on Rochester’s endangered Cataract Brewery building has surfaced this week… The accomplished life (and death) of its architect… Original architectural drawings… And new documents submitted by North American Breweries to the Zoning Board (see the section called Offers to Buy Cataract). Ready? Let’s dive right in…
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Rochester’s Miniature Polar Express

December 20th, 2011
Posted in Train/Railroad Stuff, Video | 2 Comments »

This model railroad display at the Garden Factory features three trolleys and four loooong trains; over 100 train cars in all.
If you’re looking for something to do with the kids while they’re off from school for the holidays, grab your conductor hats and head out to the Garden Factory [mapexternal link]. They’ve got a 60′x20′ model railroad on display thru the end of the month that you won’t want to miss.

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A Drive-Thru Rochester

December 11th, 2011
Posted in Video | 14 Comments »

Freeze frame from the video. This guy can often found on the corner of Monroe and Goodman peddling pizza and our camera happened to catch him while we were stopped at the light.
A few weeks ago I was driving home from my downtown office and happened to have my camera with me. Not sure why but I thought it be interesting to see what I’d capture if I left it on my dashboard for the ride. Now don’t try this at home—distracted driving is not cool. I’m a professional… idiot that is.

Anyway, the results I thought were pretty cool. And it got even cooler with some quick editing and quadruple speed playback. Throw in a mirror effect and some of that dope-ass hip hop music all the kids are listening to… and now we’ve got something worth sharing.

So go ahead—turn down the lights, pump up the volume, and hit it full screen. Let me know what you think in the comments.

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Subway Santa’s Sweet Sack of Stuff

December 10th, 2011
Posted in Subway Gifts | 2 Comments »

Subway Santas [Flickr Photo: t_a_i_s]
Subway Santa is a little late to the party this year. The lack of snow this holiday season has wreaked havoc on his internal clock. We’ve got just two weeks left for Christmas shoppers—even less for Hanukkah. So let’s cut the bull and get right to it. Last year we were inspired by these crafty Rochester Subway gift ideas. This year, Rochester Subway Santa has two more goodies for you.

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They Paved History and Put Up a Parking Lot

December 9th, 2011
Posted in Interviews, Opinion, Urban Development | 11 Comments »

Sign the Petition to Save 13 Cataract Street

Genesee Brewery. [Flickr Photo: _Yoshi_]

The following thoughts were submitted by Joel Helfrich:

The spate of recent articles in the D&C regarding local construction projects also means that there will be a great amount of demolition of older buildings and historic properties. Take, for example, the recent decision to demolish the Cataract Brewery buildings in High Falls. The cost to demolish the properties alone—estimated at $800,000 to $1 million—is more than twice the amount for which Genesee Brewery was recently selling the two Cataract Brewery buildings and a large parking lot. That same amount could be used to install a new roof and windows, “button up” the building, and abate the lead paint, within the older “gem” brewery building. Although the oldest Cataract building is currently a “liability” in the words of a developer who recently toured the property, it could actually act as the driver for redevelopment. Historic Preservation Tax Credits, coupled with city, county, state, and federal monies, could pay for at least 30-40% of construction costs, and potentially way more if the City took on the lead abatement costs and Genesee Brewery and its owner, KPS Capital, acted as an investor or partner in redevelopment.

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Imagine, Rochester’s Historic Brewery Square

December 4th, 2011
Posted in Opinion, Rochester News, Urban Development | 11 Comments »

A view of what could one day be Rochester's Historic Brewery Square and entrance to the GardenAerial trail (right). [RENDERING: RochesterSubway.com]
Rendering of renovated buildings and GardenAerial trail

I realize that sometimes it’s a bit difficult to see the potential in something. Especially when that “potential” is hidden beneath layers of mustard yellow paint, rusty corrugated siding, and 25+ years of plain old tired…

The original panorama photo set used to create the rendering of Brewery Square. [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]
The way things look now (click for larger views)

Why, just the other day Howard S. Decker, FAIA said, “Beauty is in the Eye of the Beer Holder.external link” Mr. Decker is former Principal of DLK Architecture (Chicago) and former Chief Curator of the National Building Museum (Washington DC). He knows a thing or two about buildings, and places that are worth saving for future generations. His highly experienced eyes see the potential in 13 Cataract Street and the neighborhood it lives in.

But what about the rest of us? How can we be sure this building is worth the money and effort it will take to bring it back to life? What is the alternative to demolition? And will we lose our Brewery Visitor Center if we don’t tear this other building down??

Let’s start with an excerpt taken from a document filed by the Landmark Society in 1984 with the New York State Parks and Recreation Division for Historic Preservation…

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Help Save This Rochester Brewing Landmark

November 19th, 2011
Posted in Opinion, Rochester News, Urban Development | 20 Comments »

Sign the Petition to Save 13 Cataract Street

On Friday officials at the Genesee Brewery unveiled plans they say will “create a destination for beer lovers that anchors development on downtown Rochester’s Northeast side.” Before we get too excited, let’s think.

The building as it was in 1899. [PHOTO: Rochester Public Library]North American Breweries says their planned “Genesee Brew House…will celebrate the storied history and experience of the Genesee brand” and that they want to “tell the story of [this] resilient company with a rich history that dates back to 1878.” But to do this they will demolish this building; the centerpiece of Rochester’s historic brewing district, built 1899.

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North American Breweries (NYC) Unveils Plan to Demolish Historic Rochester Building

November 18th, 2011
Posted in Rochester News, Urban Development | 12 Comments »

North American Breweries says they received no viable offers for the building to be demolished, and it impedes the view of High Falls. Both are gross exaggerations.
The following press release was issued today by North American Breweries, the NYC investment firm that owns Genesee Brewery.

In brief, they plan to renovate an old packaging building, turn it into a visitor center, and level two of the last remaining original buildings in the heart of Rochester’s historic brewing district. The press release claims that the new visitor center “hinges” on the demolition of these historic buildings – not because the new visitor center is being built on the land, but because the old buildings impede the view of High Falls.

What the press release doesn’t mention is that one local group, the people behind the Garden Aerial Project and the Greentopia Festival, expressed interest in these buildings three months ago. They want to renovate the old buildings and turn them into office space and a visitor center in partnership with the brewery. I was told North American Breweries turned them down because the money wasn’t right. So it looks like they will spend $600,000 to demolish the buildings instead. ??

This press release comes at the perfect time for North American Breweries. I learned today that they are planning to submit their application on Monday to demolish 13 Cataract St.

Read between the lines (and drink responsibly)…

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Dear Genesee Brewery: Inspiration From Baltimore

November 9th, 2011
Posted in Rochester News, Urban Development | 4 Comments »

The recently renovated and beautifully restored American Brewery building in Baltimore, Maryland. [Flickr Photo: Prêt à Voyager]
RochesterSubway.com will be 3 years old this January and recently it welcomed it’s 100,000th visitor. While the bulk of this web traffic is local, the website gets a fair amount of visits from every corner of the country. And those visitors are very important. Case in point, Norm from Baltimore, Maryland. Norm read our story about Genesee Brewery wanting to demolish the old Standard Brewing Company Building and he sent us some inspiration from his home town…
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Genesee Brewery to Demolish This Building

November 8th, 2011
Posted in Rochester News, Urban Development | 48 Comments »

Sign the Petition to Save 13 Cataract Street

Genesee Brewery getting set to demolish this building. That would be a great loss. [Flickr Photo: Zeus-the-Ferret]
RocSubway has word from good sources this afternoon that Genesee Brewery will submit an application today to demolish this building at the eastern end of the High Falls pedestrian bridge at 13 Cataract Street. This will likely be going to the Zone Board hearing on Dec 15. Obviously, if true, this would be a great architectural and historical loss for Rochester. If you know anyone with deep pockets, now is a great time to buy!

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Art is All Around Us

November 5th, 2011
Posted in Opinion, Rochester News | 15 Comments »

Art can be many things. And as Bob Ross often said, 'You can do anything you want to do. This is your world.'
If there’s one thing the Great Recession can teach us, it’s that one need not pay an admission fee and tip toe through the great white halls of the Memorial Art Gallery to be able to enjoy fine art. Rochester’s streets are a hotbed of modern artistic expression. All too often we dismiss street art as thoughtless vulgarity or worthless scribble. I say it depends on the frame; and the lens.

Throw on a French beret and grab your monocle. We’re hitting the streets and public spaces of Rochester to broaden our understanding of what art is…

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That Night in the Subway Tunnel: “We felt we were being followed”

October 29th, 2011
Posted in Rochester Subway, Rochester Subway Stories | 3 Comments »

Ever have that feeling someone, or something, is following you?
Last Halloween I posted a ghastly warning about the abandoned Rochester subway tunnel. That warning was sent to us by a reader who claimed he knew people who once lived and died in the tunnel, and that he now feels a strong “spiritual pressure” whenever he returns there.

Jeffrey’s not the only one who feels these strange vibes from the subway tunnel. RochesterSubway.com often receives stories like these from people who claim to have been followed, or chased, out of the defunct subway. Though rarely do we get to see physical evidence of the ghoulish bouncer.

Last week Aaron Killeen sent in this mysterious photo (shown below) and gave a spine-tingling account of a night inside the Rochester subway, which he says he and his friends will not soon forget…

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1930′s Postcard Decoded

October 20th, 2011
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images | 1 Comment »

Rich Rolwing, a RochesterSubway.com reader, translated the German message on the back of this postcard.
I’ve had this postcard in my collection for a few years now and it’s one of my favorites for a couple reasons. It’s late 1920′s (or early 30′s) and depicts the brand new (at the time) Broad Street and Rochester subway tunnel. The Rundel Library is not shown where it normally would be (to the right of Broad Street) because it hasn’t been built yet. But I also love this card because of the handwritten message on the back. It’s always been very mysterious to me — because it’s in German!

Rich Rolwing, a RochesterSubway.com reader, recently emailed me and very excitedly offered to translate the message. And so the mystery has finally been solved! Here it is, as written in 1938 from Karl (presumably visiting Rochester from Chicago)…

Dear Frank:
Thank you for your letter and also that letter from Foley. Noch immer nichts gehoert f.P. Vielleicht heute oder morgen. Lass dir dann gleich wissen. Waren gestern beim einen Park picnicen. Paul hat jetzt Vacation diese und naechste Woche. hat immer noch Halsweh. sonst alles schoen auch Beer.

Gruss. Karl.

And the English translation…

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The Biggest Day for Transit in Rochester Since 1927

October 19th, 2011
Posted in Events, Transit + Infrastructure | 2 Comments »

Letter sent to RocSubway readers announcing Rochester's first Critical Mass Transit Day.
A few weeks ago I posted this letter to RocSubway readers asking them to join me and Reconnect Rochester in casting a symbolic vote for the future of public transit in Rochester. Those votes will be cast tomorrow, on Critical Mass Transit Day. Thank you to the hundreds of people who asked us for pins and pledged to ride. With your help this could be the biggest day for Rochester’s transit system since the Rochester subway opened in 1927. I believe it already is.


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Prohibition in Rochester

October 2nd, 2011
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images | No Comments »

The Doud Saloon on Front Street in the late 1800s. [PHOTO: Local History Division, Rochester Public Library.]
A much anticipated documentary on the prohibition eraexternal link will air Sunday night on WXXI. Ken Burns and Lynn Novick tell the story of “the rise, rule, and fall of the Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution” which outlawed alcohol and tossed everything we thought we knew about America upside down.

The following is an excerpt from a 1992 edition of Rochester History magazine, edited by Ruth Rosenberg-Naparsteck, City Historian…

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