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.

Parazin Building
208 Mill Street

Originally constructed as a two-story building (c.1826), this is one of the city’s oldest buildings and the first in Brown’s Race. Powered by the Triphammer Mill it was home to the Selye Fire Engine Company and later used for lantern manufacturing, shoe pattern production, and held an office equipment company.

In 1984 it was donated to WXXI, used for storage, and sold to someone who wanted to redevelop it into a hotel. Those plans never materialized and the City acquired it through foreclosure.

In 2006, Ben Kendig bought it from the City for $1 and converted it into mixed office and residential units. The $2 Million project resulted in the renovation of a structurally unsound but historically significant building being added back to the City’s tax roll. The roof, 126 windows, and the walls (which the inner floors were supported by) all had to be replaced.

Here’s the “eyesore”…

And here is the “opportunity” we nearly lost…

Thanks to Caitlin at The Landmark Society for the “before” photo and the great information!

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, Ben Kendig, Browns Race, From Eyesore to Opportunity, High Falls, Mill Street, Parazin Building, Rochester, Rochester NY, Selye Fire Engine Company, Triphammer Mill, WXXI

This entry was posted on Friday, March 30th, 2012 at 7:54 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.