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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.

Here is the notice of Site Plan Approval of the visitor center at 25 Cataract Street. Now let’s ask ourselves again, why can’t the people of Rochester have time to explore the possibilities for the redevelopment of 13 Cataract across the street? 13 Cataract isn’t holding up the project. It’s not falling down as reported by the Brewery’s own structural report . And additional parking is not needed as admitted by the Brewery on Monday when they said a stage would be set up in the place of 13 Cataract.

So why then must we sacrifice the potential for TWO great development projects to take place in a neighborhood that could really use the extra jobs and long term public interest?

The only remaining argument from Rich Lozyniak, CEO North American Breweries, is that drug dealers and prostitutes “practice their craft behind the building.” Even if this were true, would that be the fault of the building? Or the absentee landlord? The solution: Give the building to people who will find a full time use for it. A parking lot won’t solve crime or social problems. Neither will a visitor center that is only open part time.

Two great projects? Or one (with a parking lot)? This is the question. Send an email to the Brewery and City Hall and show your support for a larger vision—Rochester’s Brewery Square.

Tags: Cataract Brewery, Genesee Brewery, Genesee Brewery Visitor Center, North American Breweries, Rochester, Rochester NY

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 14th, 2012 at 5:00 pm and is filed under Rochester News, 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.