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1. abr says:

   November 4, 2014 at 9:38 am

   Ok, but there’s very little foot traffic here. Something in the space next to 585 Monroe ave would make more sense.

2. RochesterSubway.com says:

   November 4, 2014 at 9:53 am

   @Abr, there is some foot traffic going in and out of this building throughout the day, as there are several businesses here. But that’s sort of the point; to draw attention to the space and give people a reason to approach, explore, sit and relax.

   And I agree, parklets would be great to see along Monroe.

3. Martin Edic says:

   November 4, 2014 at 10:34 am

   While I’m not a huge fan of their overly esoteric approach to coffee, I love this concept and the execution looks beautiful. Who pays for it?
   BTW, I don’t think you can get any milk products there! Purists…;-)

4. RochesterSubway.com says:

   November 4, 2014 at 10:47 am

   I thought I saw Cappuccino on the menu? That’s got to have milk, no?

5. Matthew Denker says:

   November 4, 2014 at 11:28 am

   Few things:

   1.) My understanding is that Joe Bean is paying for it.
   2.) These guys are fantastic (both Joe Bean and Staach). They were incredibly supportive of the Smugtown Open Park(ing) Day event as a precursor to this, and I am excited to work with them again next year.
   3.) This spot does suffer from a slight lack of foot traffic. It would be better if, instead of a Volvo Dealership and the butt end of all the East Ave density this area were better built out. Then again, propose an apartment building for University and watch NIMBYs come out of the woodwork like termites.
   4.) Get the Ploughman’s Lunch from Joe Bean, it’s totally worth it.
   5.) Staach is also responsible for the incredible new facade design at 88 Elm. It makes my ideas for the space downright sad.

6. Martin Edic says:

   November 4, 2014 at 11:45 am

   Matthew, is there somewhere we can see the design work for 88 Elm?
   That University apartment complex is definitely getting built. And there is a little bit of a design district forming in that stretch of University near Joe Bean. Kind of ad hoc but there are several businesses related to architectural furniture, fixtures, design, etc. It just doesn’t have much residential density. They are redoing the commercial building across from PriceRite and it looks pretty good.
   This is a cool thing. It would be awesome to see one downtown, perhaps in front of the coffee cafe they want for Woodbury Place.

7. Martin Edic says:

   November 4, 2014 at 11:48 am

   Never mind- I found it on the Staach website. Pretty cool.

8. Matthew Denker says:

   November 4, 2014 at 12:15 pm

   Here’s the link for the benefit of the other readers: http://staach.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/7_More-than-furniture_2.jpg

   I would definitely like to see more parklets in more high-traffic areas.

   I have heard good things about that redo as well. The specific stretch of University I am referencing is slightly east of here, I admit: https://goo.gl/maps/7sKpS

9. Brandon Colaprete says:

   November 4, 2014 at 1:11 pm

   This area has a great deal of potential as it sits directly adjacent to some of the City’s nicest neighborhoods (North Winton, East Ave, Park Ave), with a main conduit running through its center, providing connectivity between the east-side suburbs and downtown. The success of excellent establishments, like Joe Bean and Revelry for example, indicates the area’s viability for further development. Those opportunities will only improve as the quality and walkability of the streetscape improve; the parklet is just one way to raise the bar.

   The City is has been very supportive of the Parklet concept, but since each project needs to be privately funded and maintained, the word needs to be spread so more property owners and businesses, like Kathy Turiano of Joe Bean, invest in the idea. The hope is that Parklet idea will catch on, and we can enjoy several of them as we walk to our favorite establishments in all the neighborhoods around Rochester.

   Martin, you can see more about the 88 Elm project here: http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2014/08/16/developer-looking-midtown-momentum/14170409/

10. James TABBI says:

    November 4, 2014 at 5:59 pm

    There is a terrific transformation happening in what was once a “dead zone” on University. Joe Bean, Revelry, MB Studio, Rochester Parkor, Saba, and Real Life Food & Fitness, and others have all taking a risk on this stretch of University and I for one love it. Now if Martin and I could just get a cup of coffee to go in less than 15 minutes, we would be very happy. 😉 Great work Seth, Brandon and team!!

11. Bob says:

    November 7, 2014 at 1:38 pm

    Next step, building them into the parking lane so they don’t take up as much of the sidewalk.

    Voila: http://tvanouvelles.ca/archives/lcn/infos/regional/montreal/media/2013/04/20130428-165321-g.jpg

12. Matthew Denker says:

    November 7, 2014 at 1:53 pm

    It’s hard to tell from the renderings, but most of this is built in the mostly-unused fire lane. It’s unfortunate there was no pic of the extant condition, but here you go: https://www.google.com/maps/@43.150332,-77.5665105,3a,75y,321.3h,77.02t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1soEfBEfNR1MVBjHE4z1PrOg!2e0

    There’s not much sidewalk to take up.

13. Bob says:

    November 7, 2014 at 2:33 pm

    Well that firelane is inside the curb anyway…

    Anyway, here’s an example where three different versions are actually codified.

    http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/portal/page?_pageid=7357,106607604&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

    Sorry that I don’t believe there’s an English version, but check out C: Sur la chaussée (on the roadway) and a decent photo example: http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/docs/1/79346073.JPG

    THAT will have much more serious traffic speed impacts.

14. Matthew Denker says:

    November 7, 2014 at 2:40 pm

    This is true. I love the ones in Montreal, they’re splendid. Here’s one in NYC that is broadly similar to the Montreal ones that are so good: http://blog.downtownny.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/popupcafe1-682×1024.jpg.

    And hell, here’s golf for Park(ing) Day in Rochester, just for good measure: https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2942/15354804845_11aabe6004_b.jpg

    Note the safety first attitude locally.

15. Beverly says:

    November 8, 2014 at 2:51 pm

    This needs more plants before it is even remotely comfy and relaxing. Lots of possibilities for potted plants, including smallish trees in pots.

16. DAHLIMAMA says:

    November 10, 2014 at 9:08 am

    A good number of years ago I visited Holland Michigan and was so impressed with the parklettes on each corner of main street. They also had a nice mix of high end boutiques and specialty shops and all levels of restaurants. I came home thinking that would draw me back to downtown if we had such a charming area we are not even close yet but this could be a start. Without affordable parking no matter what you do it will not succeed. I just had jury duty and it cost me over $100 to park for my service(I had a badly broken leg and permanent damage) and cannot walk far from the least expensive lots.

17. RochesterSubway.com says:

    November 10, 2014 at 9:30 am

    How many days was your jury duty? You must have parked in the MC civic building garage. Don’t they reimburse you? Anyone coming downtown for a hours to shop, eat or take in a show would not be paying anywhere near $100. …actually, if it’s after 6pm or on a weekend they’d be parking for free.

18. Jason Haremza says:

    November 24, 2014 at 10:25 pm

    “Charming area” and “affordable parking” almost never go together.

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