Topics

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.

Lehigh Valley Railroad Station
99 Court Street

Designed by F.D. Hyde of New York City and completed in 1905, the Lehigh Valley Railroad Station is the only surviving structure inside the Inner Loop which recalls the importance of rail transportation in the growth and development of Rochester. The station is dramatically situated above the Johnson-Seymour mill race and the Genesee River on massive rock-faced limestone piers. It reflects late Victorian period taste with its picturesque massing, the use of colorful materials (two-tone brick walls, copper gutters and flashing, and originally a red tile roof) asymmetrical tower and stylistic references to the French Renaissance in its detailing.

After providing rail passenger service until the 1950’s when the lines were abandoned, the building served a short time as a bus depot and then stood vacant for more than three decades. When Max Farash, a Rochester developer, bought the building from the City for $1 in 1982, it had seen better days. The interior was badly damaged by vandals. Graffiti covered the walls, all of the windows were broken, and part of the roof had collapsed. Holes in the floorboards—some as large as three square feet—exposed the building to the Genesee River rushing below.

After a nearly two-year restoration Mr. Farash said of the project, “it was an irresistible challenge…a labor of love.” After a short time as a nightclub, appropriately named “Carpe Diem”, the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que moved in. According to owner John Stage, the Dinosaur now serves over half a million pappy-slappin’ customers each year at this location.

Here’s the “eyesore”…

And here is the “opportunity” we nearly lost…

Thanks to Caitlin at The Landmark Society, Manager Kevin & John Stage at the Dinosaur, and Bob at Rundel Library! And thanks to Rich Margolis for the “after” photo!

How You Can Help…

Speak out against the demolition of 13 Cataract Street. and show your support for a larger vision—Rochester’s Brewery Square.

And attend the public hearing on April 4 at 8pm and sign up to speak in favor of preserving 13 Cataract for future development and reuse.

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

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 29th, 2012 at 8:39 am and is filed under Rochester History, Rochester Images, Urban Development. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.