![The first marked bike lanes and shared use lanes will begin to appear this construction season across the city. [PHOTO: Phillip Barron]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/bike-lane.jpg)
Last summer I posted a progress report on Rochester’s Bike Master Plan and I commented on the importance of such planning—even if you don’t own a bike. Well, I’m all giddy with excitement to report… Rochester has a bike plan! Officially.
Archive: ‘Rochester News’...
Rochester, You Have a Bike Plan. Now What?
Monday, March 7th, 2011Tags: bike lanes, bike plan, city planning, Erik Frisch, infrastructure, New York, Rochester, Rochester Bicycle Master Plan Project, Rochester NY, transit, transportation
Posted in Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure | No Comments »
Reconnect Rochester Takes Transportation Issues to the Candidates
Monday, February 21st, 2011
While Rochester searches for its next mayor to take office and begin the arduous task of planning the City’s future, Reconnect Rochester is taking the issues to the candidates and the candidates to the people.
Tags: Alex White, American Planning Association (APA), American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), Ann Lewis, Gleason Works, Harry Davis, Joni Monroe, Landmark Society of Western New York, Reconnect Rochester, Rochester, Rochester chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Rochester Regional Community Design Center, Thomas Richards, transportation policy, William A. Johnson
Posted in Events, Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure | No Comments »
Transportation & Infrastructure Chairman John L. Mica (R-FL) in Rochester This Week. Don’t Miss This!
Saturday, February 12th, 2011
This month Congress will begin reauthorizing federal highway and transit dollars. To kick things off, the U.S. Congressional Transportation & Infrastructure Committee will hold a series of field hearings around the country, including a February 18th stop in Rochester.
Tags: Accountable, Efficient Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA-LU), Empire State Future, Flexible, New York State Transportation Equity Alliance (NYSTEA), Reconnect Rochester, Rep. John Mica, Safe, U.S. House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee
Posted in Events, Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure | No Comments »
BBoy BBQ 2011
Thursday, January 13th, 2011
Every year the BBoy BBQ
showcases some of the best graffiti crews anywhere in the world—right here in Rochester NY. Live graffiti art, live music, DJs, breakdancing artists, food, etc etc… all free and open to the public. This year rumors are swirling around the Rochester Subway that something big may be brewing…
Tags: BBoy BBQ, Facebook, FUA, Graffiti, Graffiti Convention, Rochester, Rochester NY
Posted in Art + Culture, Events, Rochester News, Rochester Subway | 5 Comments »
Mayor Duffy Submits Resignation. Oh, and uh, happy New Year.
Thursday, December 30th, 2010![Fireworks over Rochester. [PHOTO: Aaron Giambattista]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-new-year.jpg)
Effective at 11:59 p.m. Friday December 31 2010, Mayor Robert Duffy will no longer be Rochester’s Mayor. Duffy will be sworn in as Lieutenant Governor of New York on Friday night. The inauguration ceremony will take place at noon on Saturday, January 1.
Tags: Bob Duffy, Lovely Warren, Mayor Duffy, Mayor Patrick Duffy, New York, Rochester, Rochester NY
Posted in Rochester News | No Comments »
Mark Aesch Moves To Consolidate Upstate Transit Authorities
Sunday, November 14th, 2010
I just read an article in Sunday’s Albany Times Union that has me scratching my head. Mark Aesch, CEO of the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority, wants to consolidate
the four big transit authorities of upstate New York—Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo. On the surface it seems to make sense. They each do the same thing in relatively similar cities in a single state. But does Aesch really believe consolidating operations across a 250 mile wide region will lead to better public transit service for all four regions? Or are we witnessing the beginning of a power grab?
Tags: Albany, Albany Times Union, Buffalo, Genesee Transportation Council (GTC), Governor Andrew Cuomo, Mark Aesch, mass transit, New NY Agenda, New York, public transportation, Regional Transit Service (RTS), Rochester, Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA), Rochester NY, Syracuse, transportation, U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)
Posted in Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure | 5 Comments »
You Park Like An Asshole (.com)
Saturday, November 13th, 2010
You know that creepy dude at your office who always parks his Dodge Neon diagonally across two parking spaces so it won’t get dinged? Pisses you off doesn’t it? Well now you can do something about it.
ABC News ran a story today about a brilliantly simple web site with printable notices you can leave under that jerk’s windshield-wiper…
Tags: ABC, automobile, car, NBC, parking, Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Rochester NY
Posted in Rochester News | 10 Comments »
72 Conkey: The Tide May Be Turning
Thursday, November 4th, 2010
I can’t put my finger on it but for some reason this little building in an all-but-forgotten part of our city has claimed a big spot in my heart. Maybe because it’s human nature to root for the underdog? Maybe I see the story of Rochester being played out as some sort of metaphor—it’s storied past and it’s uncertain future? And so we fight—with everything we’ve got—to turn the tide.
Tags: Bret Garwood, City of Rochester, Clifford Avenue, Conkey Avenue, Jim Fraser, Jo Dickinson, Rochester, Rochester Fire Department, Rochester NY, urban renewal, urban revitalization
Posted in Rochester News, Urban Development | 1 Comment »
See What’s Possible at 72 Conkey
Sunday, October 24th, 2010![With a little help from Photoshop, I've taken a shot at illustrating how the storefront at 72 Conkey Avenue could look if the City gave local resident Jim Fraser a chance to apply his skills and vision to the property. [Illustration: Mike Governale]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/72-conkey-avenue-after-cropped.jpg)
As an artist, I think I maybe I see things in the world around me that other people can’t or just don’t want to. I find myself squinting all the time; trying to imagine what could be. I can’t look at a paper cup without imagining what it might become if Jonathan Ive had his way with it. I know there are a lot of people who probably see 72 Conkey Avenue as nothing more than an eyesore; and then there are people like me who see something different. And that boys and girls, is why there’s Photoshop…
Tags: Bill Johnson, Bret Garwood, City of Rochester, Clifford Avenue, Conkey Avenue, Evergreen Street, Genesee Land Trust, Ibero, Jim Fraser, Jo Dickinson, photo, Photoshop, Project Hope, Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Rochester NY, urban renewal, urban revitalization
Posted in Rochester News, Urban Development | 5 Comments »
Help Save 72 Conkey — Part III
Thursday, October 21st, 2010
Yesterday the little boarded up Victorian house on Conkey Avenue caught the attention of Rachel Barnhart, reporter for WHAM 13 News. And for all of my ranting and raving on this site, I could never have told the story as eloquently as she…
Tags: Bret Garwood, City of Rochester, Clifford Avenue, Conkey Avenue, Evergreen Street, Ibero, Jim Fraser, Jo Dickinson, Project Hope, Rachel Barnhart, Rochester, Rochester NY, urban renewal, urban revitalization, WHAM
Posted in Rochester News, Urban Development, Video | No Comments »
Help Save 72 Conkey — Part II
Tuesday, October 19th, 2010![The Rochester Fire Dept. put these gaping holes in the roof of 72 Conkey 5 days after RochesterSubway.com readers emailed the City asking to please save this historic building. [PHOTO: Jim Fraser]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/72-conkey-avenue-demolition.jpg)
If you responded to my plea last week and sent an email to Bret Garwood asking him to stop the demolition of 72 Conkey Avenue, I offer you my sincerest appreciation. As “coincidence” would have it, less than a week after that post on RochesterSubway.com the City Fire Department used the 1879 Victorian building to hold a training session. The photo above was taken on October 18. Now there are great big gaping holes where there was once a roof.
Is this really happening? I know Mr. Garwood received dozens of emails from RocSubway readers, members of Reconnect Rochester, and myself. I can’t help but ask myself is this act in response to those letters? Is the City reading our letters and giggling to themselves? Come to think of it, I didn’t receive a response to the email I sent last week… did you?
Tags: 19th Ward, Bret Garwood, City of Rochester, Clifford Avenue, Conkey Avenue, Evergreen Street, Genesee Land Trust, Genesee Street, Ibero, Jim Fraser, Jo Dickinson, Project Hope, Rochester, Rochester Fire Department, Rochester Jewish Orphan Asylum, Rochester NY, urban renewal, urban revitalization
Posted in Rochester News, Urban Development | 4 Comments »
You Can Help Save 72 Conkey Avenue
Wednesday, October 13th, 2010![Jim and Jo are in the process of saving and restoring 6 abandoned Rochester properties. They want to save this storefront on Conkey and Clifford Avenue. The City wants to tear it down. You can help. [PHOTO: heckeranddecker.wordpress.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/72-conkey-avenue.jpg)
Jo and Jim are quite a remarkable pair. She is a retired school teacher. He works for a company that makes all kinds of machine parts, gauges, and valves. Together they represent nothing short of divine intervention for the City of Rochester.
See, Rochester has a ‘list’. On that list are 200 properties, residential and commercial, that have been given the death sentence. These buildings are on the City’s Demolition List
Tags: Bret Garwood, City of Rochester, Clifford Avenue, Conkey Avenue, Evergreen Street, Genesee Land Trust, Ibero, Jim Fraser, Jo Dickinson, Project Hope, Rochester, Rochester NY, urban renewal, urban revitalization
Posted in Rochester News, Urban Development | 14 Comments »
River Romance and the Subway. Saturday 10/9
Wednesday, October 6th, 2010![The Canal Society of New York State will be hosting tours of the Broad Street Aqueduct and subway tunnel this weekend. [PHOTO: Dag Lindquist]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-subway-dag-lindquist.jpg)
Two weeks ago the World Canals Conference took Rochester by storm and offered the public a glimpse inside the Broad Street Aqueduct Bridge and abandoned subway tunnel. Thousands attended and many tour-goers shared their great photos on our Facebook page . Did you miss all the fun? Well I’ve got good news for you. This Saturday, October 9th, you’ll have another chance to explore Rochester’s historic underbelly…
Tags: aqueduct, Broad Street, Erie Canal Aqueduct, Facebook, Genesee Aqueduct, photo, River Romance, Rochester, Rochester NY, Rochester Subway, subway tour, World Canal Conference
Posted in Events, Rochester News, Rochester Subway, Urban Exploration | 1 Comment »
Rochester’s Bike Master Plan—It’s Not Just for Cyclists
Sunday, August 29th, 2010![Rochester is a great city for off-road cycling. The City's Bicycle Master Plan Project will seek to elevate Rochester to full 'Bicycle Friendly Community' status with the League of American Bicyclists' Bicycle Friendly Communities Program. [PHOTO: from Tobo's Flickr stream]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester_genesee_riverway_bike_trail.jpg)
Something outstanding is happening in our community—Rochester is catching Bike Fever. Over the past decade or more Monroe County and local municipalities have been steadily making investments in existing off-road trails and in new ones, especially around our colleges, universities and along the river and lake shore. You may have noticed some new ones near you. Bicycling Magazine even placed Rochester on their list of America’s Top 50 Bike-Friendly Cities this year. Albeit at #50, but hey, it’s a good start!
Tags: Bicycle Magazine, bike lanes, bike plan, Butterhole Seneca Park Trail, Chuck Thomas, city planning, El Camino Trail, Erie Canal Path, Erik Frisch, Frank Regan, Genesee Regional Off-Road Cyclists (GROC), Genesee Riverway Trail, Genesee Transportation Council, Greenway Trail, infrastructure, Monroe County, New York, Ray LaHood, Regional Trails Initiative, Rochester, Rochester Bicycle Master Plan Project, Rochester Cycling Alliance (RCA), Rochester Environmental News Examiner, Rochester NY, transit, transportation, Transportation Secretary
Posted in Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure | 3 Comments »
Two Upcoming Subway Tours… and a Dinner Party??
Sunday, August 8th, 2010
Once-in-a-lifetime opportunities don’t come along very often—that’s why they’re referred to as such. So clear your calendar, put the dog out, and grab your coat and hat… preferably a hard-hat.
After our subway excursion was squashed last Spring, many of our readers feared that they had missed their last chance to see the inside of the Rochester subway tunnel with their own eyes (and smell it with their own quivering noses). But this Summer the stars have aligned. Here come not one, not two, but THREE rare opportunities to go inside Rochester’s seldom seen subway… legally!
Oh, and did I mention, a lucky few* will get to enjoy cocktails and a catered dinner party INSIDE the tunnel? Yummy! Okay, here we go… these may be your final chances to experience the Rochester subway tunnel…
Tags: Anderson Alley, BBoy BBQ, Broad Street, Clifford Street, Dinner in the Ditch, Erie Canal, Erie Canal Aqueduct, FUA, Genesee Aqueduct, Graffiti, Graffiti Convention, Legal Wall, New York, Rick Rivers, Rochester, Rochester Canal District Plan, Rochester Contemporary Art Center (RoCo), Rochester NY, Rochester's Historic Canal District, South Avenue, St. Joseph's Neighborhood Center, subway tour, The Rivers Organization, World Canal Conference
Posted in Events, Rochester News, Rochester Subway, Urban Exploration | 2 Comments »
Think Before You Defend Rochester’s Inner Noose
Tuesday, July 20th, 2010
A recent story in the City Newspaper, “Glamming Rochester’s Gateways”
One letter
(more…)
Tags: Alaskan Way, Buffalo, City Newspaper, downtown Rochester, FDR Drive, highway, highways, I-490, infrastructure, Inner Loop, James R. Boehler, Kensington Expressway, New York, Rochester, Rochester NY, Seattle, transportation
Posted in Opinion, Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Development | 15 Comments »
Happy Independence Day!! Err, wait, are you legal?
Sunday, July 4th, 2010On this July 4th weekend I thought it fitting to share a stunning factoid with you: the Border Patrol station in Rochester, N.Y. apprehended more than 1,200 people who did not qualify to be in the United States in 2007…
Tags: Amtrak, Border Patrol, Canada, Fourth of July, immigration, Independence Day, July 4th, New York, Rochester, Rochester Amtrak Station, Rochester NY, transit, United States of America (U.S.)
Posted in Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure | No Comments »
Worst Public Speaker EVER Award, Goes to Me
Tuesday, June 15th, 2010
Tonight was the City Council’s final public hearing and vote on whether or not to release a portion of Mortimer Street (in the heart of downtown Rochester) to the transit authority to build a 26-bay bus terminal. I used the opportunity not to denounce the bus terminal but more so to point out that the City of Rochester has no transportation plan. Also to sharpen my public speaking skills, which, after tonight I realize can only get better. I stumbled, I was shakey, I lost my place several times, and my mouth was so dry my tongue kept making this annoying clicking sound with every syllable. But, I delivered my message and that’s what counts. Anyway, here is the text of my statement:
Tags: bus station, bus terminal, Genesee Transportation Council, Mortimer Street, New York, Rochester, Rochester City Council, Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA), Rochester NY
Posted in Opinion, Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure | 7 Comments »
RGRTA Pushes Ahead with Bus Terminal
Wednesday, June 9th, 2010
According to an article
Let’s be honest, this is more than just a project…
Tags: bus station, bus terminal, Genesee Transportation Council, Mortimer Street, New York, Rochester, Rochester City Council, Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA), Rochester NY
Posted in Opinion, Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure | 27 Comments »
21 Stories for Scouts
Friday, May 21st, 2010
If you happened to pass by Main Street on Friday afternoon you would have seen crowds of downtown workers staring up at the sky. That’s because more than 70 members of the local business community were dangling from the First Federal Building as part of a fundraiser organized by the Seneca Waterways Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
Participants each raised $1,000 to earn themselves the opportunity to rappel down the exterior of the 21-story, “flying saucer” capped building at 28 East Main Street. Proceeds will be used to support urban programs of the Boy Scouts.
Tags: Boy Scouts of America, Del Newquist, downtown Rochester, First Federal Plaza, flying saucer building, fundraiser, Main Street, New York, Over the Edge, Paul Baker, Rochester, Rochester NY, Seneca Waterways Council
Posted in Events, Rochester News | 1 Comment »
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