Have you ever wanted to DO something with all of that (generally) unused street parking in Rochester? Have you ever wanted to show people that we could have livelier streets with a few less cars and a few more amenities? If you answered yes to either of these questions, it’s time to learn about Park(ing) Day. The event’s website is at www.parkingday.org 
but in case you want the elevator pitch instead, Park(ing) Day is an event that has been going on for over a decade around the world to bring attention to the positive impact on livability that on-street parking can have when reimagined as something other than car storage. And this is where our story starts…
Archive: ‘Rochester News’...
Celebrate Park(ing) Day 2014 at the “Inner Loop Country Club”
Wednesday, September 10th, 2014Tags: Inner Loop Country Club, miniature golf, Park(ing) Day, Smugtown Open
Posted in Events, Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Development, Urban Exploration | 2 Comments »
Rochester Subway Tunnel To Be Sealed Off By Luxury Apartments
Monday, September 8th, 2014![This proposed luxury apartment complex by Morgan Management could permanently close off one of the last remaining entry points to Rochester's old subway tunnel. [IMAGE: Morgan Management]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-court-street-apartments-by-morgan-01.jpg)
Several years ago the west end of Rochester’s abandoned subway tunnel was filled as part of the Broad Street Improvement Project. Now a planned downtown development could permanently close off one of the last remaining entry points to Rochester’s old subway tunnel. Morgan Management is waiting for approvals to build a five-story luxury apartment complex at Court Street and South Avenue, right smack on top of the subway’s east entrance and the former site of the Court Street subway platform…
Tags: Court Street, Court Street Bridge, development, development plans, Dinosaur Bar B Que, downtown Rochester, infill, Morgan Development, Morgan Management, Rochester, Rochester NY, Rochester Subway, Rochester Subway tunnel, Rundel Library, South Avenue, urban development
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester News, Rochester Subway, Train/Railroad Stuff, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Development | 30 Comments »
Reimagining Rochester’s Underground
Sunday, August 31st, 2014![Kenneth Martin chose to focus on Rochester's abandoned subway tunnel for his Master of Architecture Thesis. This is his concept for breathing new life into the space. [IMAGE: Kenneth Martin]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/ken-martin-aqueduct-concept.jpg)
The abandoned subway tunnel beneath Rochester’s Broad Street has become one of the most popular sites for students of architecture and design to test their creative chops. You may remember the ROC Low Line; an underground park designed by a team of RIT students. Soon after that we reviewed a more serious plan to install an underground shopping mall and entertainment venue called Broad Street Underground.
Yet another thought-provoking concept and set of renderings have been shared with us. This one elaborates on the idea of using the interior space as a nightclub, with various (wet and wild) public spaces…
Tags: abandoned subway, adaptive reuse, aqueduct, Aqueduct Bridge, architecture, Broad Street Corridor Master Plan, Broad Street Underground, development plans, downtown Rochester, Lewis Childs, Rochester, Rochester NY, Rochester Subway, Rochester Subway tunnel, underground mall, underground shopping, urban planning
Posted in Rochester Destinations, Rochester History, Rochester News, Rochester Subway, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Development | 15 Comments »
New at Parkleigh, a Bright Piece of Rochester Retail History?
Tuesday, August 26th, 2014![This chandelier at Parkleigh once hung inside B. Forman Co. in downtown Rochester, NY. [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/parkleigh-chandelier-b-forman-company-01.jpg)
Here’s a fun little history mystery that I could use your help with. Jeannine Klee, owner of Parkleigh on Park Avenue recently acquired this Venetian glass chandelier from a friend who claims it once hung inside the original B. Forman Co. department store in downtown Rochester. The fixture, now on display above the candy counter at Parkleigh, is quite beautiful. But, could it really be from B. Forman Co.?
Tags: B. Forman Co. Department Store, chandelier, Jeannine Klee, McCurdy & Co., McCurdy & Co. Department Store, Park Avenue, Parkleigh, Rochester history
Posted in Art + Culture, Rochester Destinations, Rochester Images, Rochester News | 10 Comments »
Help Launch a New Independent Radio Station: WAYO 104.3 FM
Wednesday, August 20th, 2014![WAYO 104.3 FM is a new non-commercial, low-power community radio station. [PHOTO: Provided]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/wayo-104-3-fm-radio-01.jpg)
The following is a guest post submitted by Katherine Stathis.
Submit your story today.
Rochester’s airwaves are on the brink of some exciting changes. WAYO 104.3 FM is a new non-commercial, low-power community radio station with expansive musical and cultural programming, emphasizing creative freedom, diversity, and community engagement…
Tags: fundraiser, Good Luck Restaurant, independent radio, Indiegogo, Kate Stathis, Katherine Stathis, Multi-use Community Cultural Center (MuCCC), radio, Rochester, Rochester NY, WAYO, WAYO 104.3 FM, WAYO radio
Posted in Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester News | 3 Comments »
City of Rochester Seeks Food Truck Feedback
Tuesday, August 19th, 2014![Pizza Stop. State State, Rochester. [PHOTO: non-euclidean photography, Flickr]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-pizza-stop.jpg)
Last week I grabbed lunch at Pizza Stop – one of my absolute, hands down, favorite food joints in Rochester. After placing my order and (stepping promptly to the right) I noticed a petition* taped to the countertop. It was asking the City of Rochester to provide compensation to downtown merchants who lost business during a lunchtime food truck/cart event the week before. The petition argued that the City’s promotion of the food trucks caused nearby brick & mortar shops to lose money…
Tags: Center City, downtown Rochester, Elizabeth Clapp, food trucks, Le Petit Poutine, Pizza Stop, public meeting, restaurants, Rochester, Rochester Food Truck Alliance (ROCFTA), Rochester restaurants, State Street
Posted in Art + Culture, Events, Rochester News | 34 Comments »
Closure of Route 52 “Really Gets My Goat”
Sunday, August 10th, 2014
Many transit loving Rochesterians, put off by the RTS “hub and spoke” system, have long clamored for the convenience of crosstown routes. The new Route 52 answered those calls by connecting the Park Ave neighborhood with the University of Rochester Medical Center (via Goodman and Elmwood) without having to stop and transfer downtown. The new route had many of us excited .
But after less than a year of service, RGRTA said Route 52 drew too few customers to keep it going. And a little over a week ago, RGRTA announced that it would pull the plug…
Tags: bus, bus routes, Elmwood Ave, Goodman Street, mass transit, Park Ave neighborhood, Park Avenue, public transit, Quinn Avery, Regional Transit Service (RTS), Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA), route 52, transit, University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC)
Posted in Opinion, Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure | 11 Comments »
Renovation Underway for South Wedge Landmark
Sunday, July 27th, 2014![Calvary St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church at the corner of Averill and Ashland St, Rochester NY. [PHOTO: Provided]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-saint-andrews-church-renovation-01.jpg)
The corner of Averill Avenue and Ashland Street is buzzing as a major renovation takes place at Calvary St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Parish . The winter of 2014, which brought ice dams and water damage to the historic structure, also brought an insurance settlement and a generous benefactor to restore the building to its original luster…
Tags: Alex Estremera, Ashland Street, Averill Avenue, Calvary St. Andrew’s, Calvary St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Parish, Connie Ehindero, Foodlink, Old School Painting, Pastor Sam Picard, preservation, renovation, Richard M. Upjohn, Robert Lauterbach, Rochester landmark, Saint Andrews Church, South Wedge, St. Andrew's Church, Trinity Church
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester News, Urban Development | 2 Comments »
Double Jeopardy for Historic Rochester Church
Monday, July 14th, 2014![The Zoning Board will decide AGAIN whether or not to allow the former Westminster Presbyterian Church at 660 West Main Street to be demolished. [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-westminster-church-660-west-main-01.jpg)
“Double Jeopardy” wasn’t invented by Alex Trebek. It’s actually a procedural defense in our system of justice that forbids a defendant from being tried more than once for the same (or similar) charges. Unfortunately this rule doesn’t seem to apply with historic preservation in Rochester. Because the very same owner of this historic church at 660 West Main Street will, for a second time, ask the Zoning Board for permission to demolish the structure to make way for a discount store.
Dawn Noto is president of the Susan B. Anthony Neighborhood Association. She was concerned about the demolition plans in March of 2013 when the Zoning Board blocked them the first time. This time Dawn says the conditions are no different and the City should be working with the owner on a plan to rehab the church building instead of entertaining his plan for a second time…
Tags: 660 W. Main Street, Dawn Noto, demolition, Designated Building of Historic Value, development, development plans, Marvin Maye, Rochester, Rochester NY, Susan B. Anthony Neighborhood, urban design, Westminster Presbyterian Church, zoning, Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), zoning code
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester News, Urban Development | 31 Comments »
Rochester Contemporary’s 6×6 Art Show: 2014 Picks from Curator Bleu Cease
Monday, July 7th, 2014
The 7th “6×6” art exhibition is going on right now at Rochester Contemporary Art Center (RoCo) . This exhibit began as a one-time fundraiser in 2008 but has returned every year since then due to its incredible success. 6×6 is RoCo’s only major fundraiser. All artworks are offered for sale—anonymously—to the public for $20, with all proceeds going to support the Art Center. The artist’s names are revealed to the buyer upon purchase.
In 2014 the show has grown to include over 6,700 artworks from all 50 states and 65 countries.
Here are a few of the top picks from this year’s show sent to us by Bleu Cease, Executive Director and curator of the gallery…
Tags: 6x6 Art Show, Bleu Cease, Rochester Contemporary Art Center (RoCo)
Posted in Art + Culture, Rochester Destinations, Rochester News | No Comments »
High Falls Repaints Old “Ghost Signs”
Tuesday, July 1st, 2014![The High Falls Business Association has been repainting some of the old 'ghost' advertising signs on buildings along Mill Street. [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-high-falls-ghost-advertising-signs-repainted-03.jpg)
You know those faded advertisements on the sides of old brick buildings? You may have heard them referred to as ghost signs because they’re usually just barely there, hanging on like spirits of a bygone era. Yeah, I love those things. Probably because they combine my two favorite hobbies: graphic design and local history.
The building I work in (in the High Falls neighborhood) has one of these signs on it. So naturally I took notice when someone began painting over it…
Tags: ads, advertising, Brett Steeves, brickads, Button Factory, fading ads, ghost signs, High Falls, High Falls Business Improvement District, John August, Mill Street, mural, Parazin Building, Partners Building
Posted in Art + Culture, Rochester History, Rochester Images, Rochester News | 19 Comments »
Construction Update: University of Rochester
Monday, June 30th, 2014![Construction on College Town, at University of Rochester. June 2014. [PHOTO: Jimmy Combs]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-college-town-01.jpg)
The following is a guest post submitted by Jimmy Combs.
Submit your story today.
The area around University of Rochester—both east and west of the river—has seen an explosion of new construction. RocSubway contributor Jimmy Combs ventured out this weekend to get a snapshot of the progress of three of these developments; College Town, The Flats at Brooks Crossing, and the new Golisano Children’s Hospital. All are due to open by 2015…
Tags: Brooks Avenue, Brooks Landing, College Town, Collegetown, construction, Elmwood Avenue, Genesee Street, Golisano Children's Hospital, Jimmy Combs, Mount Hope, Mount Hope Cemetery, rochester photos, The Flats at Brooks Crossing, University of Rochester, University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC), urban development
Posted in Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester Images, Rochester News, Urban Development | 3 Comments »
Campaign to Restore Rochester Subway Car 60 Kicks Off Sunday
Saturday, June 28th, 2014![The last remaining Rochester subway car #60. [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-subway-car-60-RGVRRM-04.jpg)
You may recall last year when Otto Vondrak told us the story of how the sole survivor of the Rochester subway fleet, Car 60, found its way home to Rochester. Since 1998 the car has been at the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum awaiting restoration. To be perfectly honest, most of the volunteers who were involved in its return to Rochester passed on, putting restoration efforts on the back burner. But now, finally, this Sunday the museum will kick off a fundraising (and awareness building) campaign to restore Rochester Subway Car 60 for the public to enjoy once again…
Tags: donate, fundraiser, history of Rochester, Otto M. Vondrak, Rochester, Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum, Rochester history, Rochester NY, Rochester Subway, Rochester subway car 60, Rochester Subway photos
Posted in Events, Rochester Destinations, Rochester History, Rochester News, Rochester Subway | 1 Comment »
Juan & Maria Host a Garage Sale; Benefit for Daughter’s Cancer Fight
Thursday, June 26th, 2014
I have a soft spot in my heart for Juan & Maria Contreras. Their family has been serving up the tastiest (and friendliest) Spanish-American food at the Public Market for almost as long as I myself have been a Rochesterian. Their homemade empanadas have earned their place alongside the Garbage Plate and the Zwiegle’s white hot. Over 1,000 empanadas have been known to fly out of this little food stand on any given day at the market, but no matter how busy they are, Juan always has time to greet each customer with a warm, “How are YOU my friend?”
Now our friends need our help. Their daughter, Carolina (33) has been locked in a battle against a rare and deadly form of cancer known as Clear Cell Sarcoma. This Sunday at the Rochester Public Market the Contreras family will host a garage sale to help raise money for Carolina’s fight for life…
Tags: benefit, cancer, Carolina Contreras, event, garage sale, Juan & Maria's Empanada Stop, Juan Contreras, Maria Contreras, Rochester, Rochester NY, Rochester Public Market
Posted in Events, Rochester News | 1 Comment »
Edgewater Developer Walks Us Through Rochester’s Port Project
Monday, June 23rd, 2014
You’ve read about it. You’ve heard plenty of commentary about it. And if you’re like me, you still have plenty of questions about the Port of Rochester development. This past weekend Greg Weykamp, owner of Edgewater Resources, LLC spent an hour with me on site to answer my questions on everything from the design of the marina & proposed development, accessibility, marketability, and parking/traffic concerns.
In this six-part video series, Weykamp addresses many of the concerns expressed by Charlotte neighbors over the past few months. No doubt there will still be more questions as the project enters the design phase. But his willingness to spend time with me (and my two kids who are dancing around in the background) showed me that this may not be the monster some people have made him out to be . But you can watch for yourself, and please let me know what you think…
Tags: Charlotte, develo, development plans, Edgewater Resources LLC, Greg Weykamp, Ontario Beach Park, Port of Rochester, Rochester, urban development, video
Posted in Interviews, Rochester Destinations, Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Development | 93 Comments »
Guess What This Thursday is… ROC Transit Day!
Tuesday, June 17th, 2014
Reconnect Rochester is a non-profit organization I founded a few years ago to advocate for transportation alternatives in Rochester. We work for pedestrian-friendly streets, and we push for improved public transportation. These things are important to me because I’ve seen firsthand what happens to places that focus too much attention on providing spaces for automobiles, and not enough on spaces for people.
If you don’t quite get what I’m talking about, you can listen to me blabber on . But if you’re already with me, please make plans to leave your car at home this Thursday; a day we’re calling “ROC Transit Day”…
Tags: bus, event, mass transit, mass transportation, public transit, Reconnect Rochester, Regional Transit Service (RTS), ROC Transit Day, Rochester, Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA), Rochester NY
Posted in Events, Opinion, Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure | No Comments »
You Can Play the Bells of Rush Rhees Library
Thursday, June 12th, 2014![The carillon inside University of Rochester's Rush Rhees Library tower. [PHOTO: University of Rochester Carillon Society]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/university-of-rochester-rush-rhees-carillon-01.jpg)
A year ago RochesterSubway.com took you UP inside Rush Rhees Library at the University of Rochester. The views from that tower are spectacular – but it’s the 6,668 pounds of bronze bells inside that are truly awe inspiring.
The bells are actually part of a massive musical instrument called a Carillon. And now, if you’ve got experience playing a keyboard, you may have a shot to go to the top of Rush Rhees and play the carillon yourself. Doris Aman of the University of Rochester Carillon Society sent in the following one-time offer…
Tags: carillon, Doris Aman, Rochester, Rochester NY, Rush Rhees Library, University of Rochester, University of Rochester Carillon Society, UofR, urban exploration
Posted in Art + Culture, Events, Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester News, Urban Exploration | 4 Comments »
$500 Treasure Hunt
Monday, June 9th, 2014
A $500 CASH prize is up for grabs in The Great ROC Transit Day Treasure Hunt!
On June 19, FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS (U.S.) will be hiding somewhere in Rochester. The first person (or team of people) to find it will take all. There’s just one catch… no cars allowed. To claim this jackpot you’ll need to use the bus system, walk or bike. Get your first clue now at www.ROCtransitday.com .
Tags: Reconnect Rochester, ROC Transit Day, Rochester, Rochester NY, scavenger hunt, treasure hunt
Posted in Events, Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure | No Comments »
Legality of Lyft and Other Ridesharing Operations in Rochester Seem Fuzzy – For Now
Monday, June 9th, 2014![Lyft is a San Francisco–based company whose mobile-phone app facilitates peer-to-peer ridesharing; enabling passengers who need a ride to request one from drivers in their area. [PHOTO: Lyft]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/lyft-ridesharing-01.jpg)
Last week I shared an interview with a local Lyft driver. A debate in the comments—and on Facebook—about the legality of rideshare services (such as Lyft) immediately ensued. After hearing from both sides of the issue, I’m just as confused as I was before.
On one hand, Lyft has responded to these challenges by saying its service is absolutely not illegal, and that their insurance has drivers and passengers covered. On the other hand, a local insurance agent, Michael Montag has reached out to RochesterSubway.com. He believes Lyft drivers are operating illegally – even if Lyft itself may not be illegal. I’ll post both responses here, and if you’re thinking of driving for Lyft or similar services, do your homework first…
Tags: Carma Carpool, carpooling, John McBride, Lyft, MGM Associates of Rochester, Michael G. Montag, rideshare, ridesharing, Rochester, Rochester NY, Sidecar, transportation, transportation alternatives, Uber, Wingz, Zimride
Posted in Interviews, Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure | 22 Comments »
Need a Lyft?
Monday, June 2nd, 2014![Lyft is a San Francisco–based company whose mobile-phone app facilitates peer-to-peer ridesharing; enabling passengers who need a ride to request one from drivers in their area. [PHOTO: Flickr, Bootleggerson]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/lyft-ridesharing-bootleggersson.jpg)
Have you seen one of these big pink mustaches tooling around town lately? This past April a ridesharing service called Lyft entered the Rochester market. Lyft connects people—via mobile app—who need a ride with drivers in their area. The pink facial hair is sort of the calling card of the Lyft brand.
Recently I got to talking with a local Lyft driver, Fred from Penfield, and he says from his point of view, the service has been a smashing success. “There are about 40 of us in Rochester,” says Fred. “We are similar to Uber and Sidecar, but we are much friendlier and have a much bigger focus on safety.”
Besides the pink moustaches, it’s also common for drivers and passengers to fist pump at the start of each ride. The following is a summary of our conversation about Lyft…
Tags: Carma Carpool, carpooling, Genesee Transportation Council (GTC), Lyft, rideshare, ridesharing, Rochester, Rochester NY, Sidecar, transportation, transportation alternatives, Uber, Wingz, Zimride
Posted in Interviews, Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure | 10 Comments »
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