![Rumors have been swirling around the internet that the famous Bull's Head that marks the historic Bull's Head section of Rochester has been lost in a recent demolition on West Main Street. [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-bullshead-stores-03.jpg)
Rumors have been swirling around the internet that the famous Bull’s Head that marks the historic Bull’s Head section of Rochester has been lost in a recent demolition on West Main Street. It is true this landmark has recently lost several important neighbors, but for now, the Bull in Bull’s Head is still with us…
Bull’s Head: Reports of Its Death Have Been Somewhat Exaggerated
June 2nd, 2013Posted in Rochester Destinations, Rochester History, Rochester Images, Rochester News, Urban Development | 18 Comments »
Tags: Bull's Head, Bulls Head / B.E.S.T., Bullshead, Chili Avenue, Critic's Restaurant, Genesee Street, Joan Roby-Davison, John Curran, Rochester, Rochester neighborhoods, Rochester neighborhoods map, Rochester NY, West Main Street
Lost & Found
May 31st, 2013Posted in Opinion | 4 Comments »
![Don't you hate it when your Gatorade gets sucked out your car window? [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rons-plumbing-ac-heating-litter-03.jpg)
Don’t you hate it when this happens? You’re truckin’ along, you got your radio cranked way up, sippin’ on some blue Gatorade. You’re feeling pretty good… then, all of a sudden – WOOSH! Your Gatorade bottle gets sucked right out the window and lands on the side of the road. ARRRRH! I HATE that!
Tags: Gatorade, litter, plastic, plastic bottle, Ron's Plumbing AC & Heating, Saint Paul Boulevard
Filling In: Holmes Tract
May 29th, 2013Posted in Opinion, Reader Submitted Stories, Urban Development | 62 Comments »
![The corner of Atlantic and Anderson in the Holmes Tract. Gleason doesn't want this lot anymore. Maybe we can put it to good use? [PHOTO: Google Streetview]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/filling-in-holmes-tract-01.jpg)
The following is a guest post submitted by Matthew Denker.
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Oh 1926, it seems like you were only 87 years ago. Oh wait, what, it was only 87 years ago? Ok then. Well, since the Neighborhood of the Arts is receiving so much press these days, let’s take a look at a piece of the neighborhood from then and see what was happening.
Tags: 933 University Avenue, Anderson Avenue, Atlantic Avenue, demolition, development plans, Filling In, George Eastman House, Holmes Tract, Matthew Denker, Monroe Voiture, Neighborhood of the Arts, Norwood Street, NotA, preservation, preservation district, Rochester, Rochester NY, University Avenue
History of Seabreeze Amusement Park
May 27th, 2013Posted in Rochester Destinations, Rochester History, Rochester Images | 111 Comments »
![Seabreeze Amusement Park. [PHOTO: Courtesy Seabreeze Amusement Park]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/topics/wp-content/uploads/seabreeze-jackrabbit-and-trolley.jpg)
About two months ago I attended a presentation by Matthew Caulfield on the history of Seabreeze Park 
. Caulfield started working at the park when he was a young twenty-something whippersnapper. At some point he got himself a “real job” at the Library of Congress. Now in his 80’s and retired, he’s back doing what he loves, as the park’s archivist. The following notes and images are just a snippet of his entire presentation which he has assembled over time with the help of his friend Alan Mueller…
Tags: Alan Mueller, Arthur Long, Boardwalk Park, carousel, Danceland, Dreamland, George Long, Honeymoon Trail, Irondequoit, Jack Kirby, Jack Rabbit, Karnival Kourt, Matthew Caulfield, natatorium, Old Mill, Paul Moore, Philadelphia Toboggan Company, Rochester & Suburban Railway Co., Rochester Transit Corporation, Seabreeze Amusement Park, Town of Irondequoit
Enhancing CityGate
May 22nd, 2013Posted in Opinion, Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester History, Rochester Images, Urban Development | 10 Comments »
![The abandoned Iola Tuberculosis Sanatorium, Nurses' Building. [PHOTO: Mike Bouwmeester]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-iola-sanatorium-nurses-building.jpg)
The following is a guest post submitted by Mike Bouwmeeester.
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Welcoming Costco and RGRTA to CityGate is great. Ignoring walkability and losing all historic buildings isn’t. Our community needs walkable places. We need development that calms traffic and makes walking easy and safe. Moreover, our community needs to preserve its historic fabric. We need development that repurposes old buildings for new uses…
Tags: AJ Costello & Son, Brighton, City Gate, CityGate, Costco, demolition, development, development plans, East Henrietta Road, Henrietta, historic preservation, Iola Campus, Iola Tuberculosis Sanatorium, land use, Mike Bouwmeester, preservation, Rochester, smart growth, transit-oriented development, urban development, Westfall Road
Give Me CityGate
May 21st, 2013Posted in Opinion, Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Development | 53 Comments »
![Plan view of proposed CityGate project. [IMAGE: AJ Costello & Son]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/city-gate-site-plan-01.jpg)
No, seriously – give CityGate to ME, because I want to redesign it. The current plan is not worthy of the name. I may be the only person in western NY who didn’t crap themselves when they learned Costco was coming to town. I mean, Costco? Really? We need another one of these discount warehouses? Ok fine, I’ll let you have your Costco. No complaints from me. On one condition: Re-do this idiotic site plan! Look at this…
Tags: AJ Costello & Son, Brighton, City Gate, CityGate, Costco, development, development plans, East Henrietta Road, Erie Canal, Henrietta, Iola Campus, land use, parking, Rochester, smart growth, transit-oriented development, urban development, Westfall Road
Filling In: 933 University
May 20th, 2013Posted in Opinion, Reader Submitted Stories, Urban Development | 42 Comments »
![Proposed new development at 933 University Ave. [IMAGE: Morgan Management]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/933-university-ave-06.jpg)
The following is a guest post submitted by Matthew Denker.
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A great deal has already been written about the development planned at 933 University Ave. (see: here , here , and here ). Even so, it is important that we take a step back and really think about the kinds of arguments that are being made. Further, let us consider how the neighborhood could benefit from this development, how George Eastman House can meet its needs going forward (and better integrate with Neighborhood of the Arts, as they express a desire to do), and how to move the entire neighborhood towards the increased success it deserves…
Tags: 933 University Avenue, demolition, development plans, East Avenue, Filling In, George Eastman House, Matthew Denker, Monroe Voiture, Neighborhood of the Arts, NotA, preservation, preservation district, Rochester, Rochester NY, University Avenue
Public Forum: Development in Preservation Districts
May 18th, 2013Posted in Events, Rochester History, Rochester News, Urban Development | 2 Comments »
The Landmark Society is partnering with the Park-Meigs Neighborhood Association to hold a public forum on the evening of Tuesday, May 21 at 597 East Avenue . Up for discussion: the timely and controversial topic of new development in preservation districts. This is a community conversation you will NOT want to miss.
A panel of speakers, representing developers, homeowners, business owners, urban planners, and The Landmark Society, will offer their perspective, followed by an open question and answer session. Speakers include Wayne Goodman, Executive Director of The Landmark Society; Glenn Kellogg, Urban Advisors; Joe Hanna, Hanna Properties; Steve Vogt, Rochester Young Professionals. RocSubway contributor, Matthew Denker will also weigh in. Can new development benefit preservation districts? How can the new co-exist with the old? What is “good” development? These are some of the questions this forum will attempt to address.
Follow this link for more information.
Tags: development, event, Glenn Kellogg, Hanna Properties, Joe Hanna, Landmark Society of Western New York, Matthew Denker, preservation, preservation district, Rochester Young Professionals, Steve Vogt, Urban Advisors, Wayne Goodman
Did Xerox Tower Influence the Original Twin Towers?
May 16th, 2013Posted in Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester History, Urban Development | 17 Comments »
![Xerox Tower. Completed 1966. [PHOTO: Friscocali, Fickr]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/xerox-tower-rochester-friscocali.jpg)
The following is a guest post submitted by Jimmy Combs.
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Ever notice how the Xerox Tower looks like one of the original World Trade Center towers? Did you know that the Xerox Tower was completed five years before the World Trade Center towers? Hmmm, so maybe the Xerox Tower inspired the design of the World Trade Center Towers? This would make Xerox Tower an extremely important building in the history of architecture. I had to do some research…
Tags: architecture, Buffalo, downtown Rochester, IBM building, Minoru Yamasaki, NBBJ, New York City, One M&T Plaza, Rochester, Rochester NY, Seattle, skyscraper, University of Washington, Welton Becket, Welton Becket and Associates, World Trade Center, Xerox Square, Xerox Tower
Manhattan Square Park Mural Erased
May 14th, 2013Posted in Art + Culture, Events, Rochester Destinations, Rochester Images, Rochester News, Urban Development | 18 Comments »
![The City recently painted over this mural, a fixture in Manhattan Square Park for probably 30 years. [PHOTO: Kristen Cavanaugh]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/manhattan-square-park-mural.jpg)
I haven’t been able to find anyone who knows exactly when this mural was painted, but it’s been a fixture in Manhattan Square Park for at least 30 years, says Charles Moreland, Executive Director of Rochester Parkour . The outdoor venue has been mostly abandoned for the past 10 years, but its concrete walls and irregular geometry make it ideal for practicing the fine art of Parkour. Charles’ group can often be found moving throughout the park. Yesterday Charles noticed the mural had been covered with a fresh coat of gray paint…
Tags: art, Charles Moreland, Chestnut Street, City of Rochester, downtown Rochester, Fringe Festival, Gay Alliance, Graffiti, Ian Wilson, Manhattan Square Park, mural, Roc Pride Festival, Rochester, Rochester NY, Rochester Parkour, Wall-Therapy
ROC Transit Day: Lose your car keys on June 20
May 13th, 2013Posted in Events, Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure | 19 Comments »
A year and half ago I managed to convince RGRTA to try something new. I said, “let me give away free bus rides for one day.” I imagined most people would say “no thanks, the bus isn’t for me.” But I also knew my mom was right when she said, “try it, you might like it.” That year I think maybe 200 people participated and left their cars at home for the day.
What began as a fun little experiment, has turned into ROC Transit Day – a full blown Rochester holiday from our cars. This year ROC Transit Day will be on Thursday, June 20.
In this, its second year, the volunteers at Reconnect Rochester are giving away 1,000 special edition RTS fare cards – designed by yours truly. And we’re asking Rochester’s business community to get involved too…
Tags: A Step Apart, Chartreuse Studios, Joe Bean Coffee Roasters, Reconnect Rochester, Regional Transit Service (RTS), ROC Transit Day, Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA), Small World Food
Until We Meet Again, Spider-Man
May 10th, 2013Posted in Events, Opinion, Rochester Images, Rochester News | 4 Comments »
![Filming of Spider Man 2 in Rochester, NY. [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/spider-man-rochester-ny-01.jpg)
Hey kids, you know what today is? That’s right, Fun Foto Friday! I know you’ve probably had your fill of spandex-wrapped web-slingers, street closures, and NYC squad cars blowing up everywhere. But I just wanted to post some of my pics from the last couple days of Spider-Man filming. And I’d like to see yours too. If you were able to slip past the barricades and snag a few good shots, go ahead and post a link in the comments section…
Tags: Amazing Spider Man 2, car chase, downtown Rochester, film, Fun Foto Friday, Hollywood, Main Street, movie, NYPD, Rochester, Rochester NY, Spider Man
Hilton Hotels Eyes Some Interesting Old Buildings on Main Street
May 9th, 2013Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images, Rochester News, Urban Development | 16 Comments »
![The Hilton hotel chain is strongly considering adapting this five-story former National Clothing Store on Main Street into a Hilton Garden Inn. [PHOTO: Rochester Public Library]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/national-clothing-store-rochester-2013.jpg)
A recent story in the Rochester Business Journal had me pleasantly surprised to learn that the Hilton hotel chain is strongly considering adapting a five-story former clothing store at 155 E. Main Street into a Hilton Garden Inn. Around the corner at 25 Stone Street , a smaller two-story building (formerly the Stone Street Grill) would also be part of the 15 million dollar plan.
Normally I don’t get all revved up for national chains, but there are at least two REALLY good things happening here: Private interest/investment in Main Street (good), AND adaptive reuse of three or four old buildings (REALLY GOOD).
I also learned something very interesting about these buildings. What’s old may be new again…
Tags: adaptive reuse, Burpee Seed Company, DHD Ventures LLC, downtown Rochester, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Hotel, Hotel Eggleston, James Vick, James Vick's Sons seed company, Main Street, National Clothing Store, Rochester, Rochester NY, Stone Street, Thomas Masaschi, Vick Quality Seeds
Ban Life on the Lot: Rochester’s Junkyard Dogs
May 6th, 2013Posted in Opinion, Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester Images, Rochester News | 18 Comments »
![Everyday, dogs like this one are used to guard, watch, or protect businesses such as car dealerships and metal recyclers while the property owners are absent. [PHOTO: Joel Helfrich]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-junkyard-dogs-01.jpg)
The following is a guest post submitted by Joel Helfrich.
Submit your story today.
Rochester admittedly has its share of problems: socioeconomic, educational, and transportation, among many others. Most problems will take a great amount of knowhow, community support, and time to correct. The problem of “junkyard” dogs—dogs used to guard, watch, or protect businesses such as car dealerships and metal recyclers while the property owners are absent—is potentially quickly solvable. Simple solutions would be beneficial to the animals that spend their lives lost on the lots of this city.
Tags: animal rights, animals, dog, Joel Helfrich, junkyard, junkyard dogs, metal recycling, North Street, Portland Avenue, Rochester, Rochester NY, scrap metal, scrapyard
Bike Boulevards & More, Coming To Rochester
May 1st, 2013Posted in Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure | 44 Comments »
![The City just released a Request for Proposal to create a Bike Boulevard Plan. [PHOTO: Payton Chung]](http://rochestersubway.com/images/photos/bike-boulevard-PaytonChung-01.jpg)
Sorry it’s been so quiet in the subway for the past week. It got crazy busy with many things happening on many different fronts, and I had to force myself into a self-imposed digital detox program. But here’s a quicky update…
I just got back from the Genesee-Finger Lakes Active Transportation Summit; a conference (held in downtown Rochester) where mobs of cycling and transit advocates gathered for a day of discussion about moving Rochester forward… literally. Believe me, Spiderman isn’t the only one sporting the spandex lately. There’s an undeniable groundswell of support for walkable, bike-friendly streets, and transit options in this town. Maybe you were following the tweets coming out of Reconnect Rochester throughout the day? But if you were at the conference, you understand what I mean. The excitement was palpable, and contagious.
Tags: bike boulevards, bike box, bike corral, bike lanes, bike plan, Congressman Earl Blumenauer, Genesee-Finger Lakes Active Transportation Summit, mass transit, mass transportation, Portland, public transit, public transportation, Reconnect Rochester, Rochester bike master plan, Rochester Cycling Alliance (RCA), Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA), Spiderman
Spencerport Rail Bridge Removed
April 24th, 2013Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Development | 2 Comments »
![This old railroad bridge over S. Union Street in Spencerport was removed last week. [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-guerilla-art-bob-ross.jpg)
Remember this portrait of Bob Ross we spotted on a rail bridge in Spencerport a while ago? Built in 1924, that bridge once carried freight trains over South Union Street . The Democrat & Chronicle tells us tractor trailers have been hitting the bridge repeatedly for years. So it’s time to come down. Sorry Bob.
Daniel Azzolina has sent in a few photos of the bridge being dismantled. Enjoy…
Tags: demolition, Graffiti, rail bridge, railroad, South Union Street, Spencerport
Just One Week Left to Raise $6,600 for Sunken Garden at High Falls
April 21st, 2013Posted in Opinion, Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester History, Urban Development | 1 Comment »
![The Greentopia Festival in High Falls, Rochester, NY. [PHOTO: Greentopia]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-greentopia-2011-1.jpg)
The GardenAerial project could one day transform High Falls – Rochester’s oldest neighborhood. A landscaped pedestrian trail is planned to be built all the way around the rim of the gorge. Pre-existing structures & trails would be converted into multi-use public green spaces. And if all goes according to the vision, the entire area (in and around the gorge) could become New York’s first EcoDistrict . But this is not an initiative led by City Hall. The idea was brought to the table by two Rochester residents, and is now being advanced by their non-profit, Friends of the GardenAerial.
The first phase of the GardenAerial project will be funded in part by this this online campaign . But there’s only one week left and $6,600 still to raise. In a recent comment to RochesterSubway.com, city resident Jim Fraser explains why crowdsourced projects like this are critical to the future of our city…
Tags: crowdsourcing, GardenAerial, High Falls Visitor Center, Inner Loop, Jane Jacobs, Jim Fraser, Midtown Plaza, Rochester, Rochester NY, suburban sprawl, urban renewal
Local Theatre Group Sets Its Sights on (another) Historic Church
April 18th, 2013Posted in Interviews, Rochester History, Rochester Images, Rochester News, Urban Development | 17 Comments »
![The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church at 42 Favor Street in the Cornhill Neighborhood. [PHOTO: J.R. Teeter]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/ame-zion-church-favor-street-rochester-01.jpg)
Last September the Bread and Water Theatre group expressed interest in purchasing the Westminster Presbyterian Church at 660 West Main Street after learning that its owner had asked the City for permission to demolish it. That demolition request has been denied (for now). Meanwhile, the same theatre group now has its eye on another historically significant church…
Tags: 660 W. Main Street, A.M.E. Zion Church, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Bread & Water Theatre, Cornhill neighborhood, Favor Street, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, J.R. Teeter, North Star, Susan B. Anthony, underground railroad, Westminster Presbyterian Church
On The Fence Between 933 University Avenue & Eastman House
April 15th, 2013Posted in Opinion, Rochester News, Urban Development | 46 Comments »
Okay, so I’m on the fence – sort of. Remember this proposed apartment complex at 933 University Avenue? After the Eastman House and other neighbors complained about the design, Morgan Management went back to the drawing board (or Photoshop or whatever) and they came back with this…
Tags: 933 University Avenue, demolition, development plans, East Avenue, George Eastman House, Monroe Voiture, preservation, preservation district, Rochester, Rochester NY, University Avenue
MLB “Field of Dreams” May 18, Frontier Field
April 13th, 2013Posted in Events, Rochester News | 1 Comment »
![Former Boston Red Sox third baseman Wade Boggs signs autographs before the start of the exhibition game, which was sponsored by Pepsi Max. [PHOTO: Chris Russell, Columbus Dispatch]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/pepsi-max-baseball-01.jpg)
Last September I introduced you to Johnny Perotti , the local baseball fan who won Pepsi’s MLB Field of Dreams contest. Well, actually we all won, because the winner’s hometown (that’s you Rochester) will get to play host to a mock MLB all star game.
First off, congrats to Johnny! Good work man. And congrats to Pepsi; you’ve got me blogging about your product which I don’t even drink as caffeine gives me killer headaches. But I digress.
Let’s get to the details of this baseball game which have finally been released. Tickets are now on sale…
Tags: baseball, contest, Frank Thomas, Fred McGriff, Frontier Field, Johnny Perotti, Mike Schmidt, Ozzie Smith, Pedro Martinez, Pepsi MAX MLB Field of Dreams, Reggie Jackson, Rickey Henderson, Rochester, Rochester NY, Rochester Red Wings, Stephen Katchmark, Trevor Hoffman, Wade Boggs
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