![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…
Posts Tagged ‘Rochester’...
Until We Meet Again, Spider-Man
Friday, May 10th, 2013Tags: Amazing Spider Man 2, car chase, downtown Rochester, film, Fun Foto Friday, Hollywood, Main Street, movie, NYPD, Rochester, Rochester NY, Spider Man
Posted in Events, Opinion, Rochester Images, Rochester News | 4 Comments »
Hilton Hotels Eyes Some Interesting Old Buildings on Main Street
Thursday, May 9th, 2013![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
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images, Rochester News, Urban Development | 16 Comments »
Ban Life on the Lot: Rochester’s Junkyard Dogs
Monday, May 6th, 2013![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
Posted in Opinion, Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester Images, Rochester News | 18 Comments »
Just One Week Left to Raise $6,600 for Sunken Garden at High Falls
Sunday, April 21st, 2013![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
Posted in Opinion, Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester History, Urban Development | 1 Comment »
On The Fence Between 933 University Avenue & Eastman House
Monday, April 15th, 2013
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
Posted in Opinion, Rochester News, Urban Development | 46 Comments »
MLB “Field of Dreams” May 18, Frontier Field
Saturday, April 13th, 2013![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
Posted in Events, Rochester News | 1 Comment »
All Aboard The Ontario Car Ferry!
Wednesday, April 10th, 2013![Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Station, Rochester, NY. [PHOTO: Provide by Al from Wolcott, NY]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/baltimore-and-ohio-railroad-station-rochester.jpg)
I get a ridiculous amount of email here in the Rochester Subway. Most of it isn’t really worth sharing but occasionally I get a diamond in the rough. So here’s one from the mailbag…
Al from Wolcott, NY sent me this great photograph today along with a question. He writes, “Someplace on the internet I recently ran across a comment that the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg Railroad terminal was the place where people boarded a passenger train for Charlotte and then got on a boat for a trip to Cobourg, Ontario. Can you confirm this?” Yes. Yes I can. But first, let’s look closer at this photo…
Tags: Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, Buffalo, Cobourg, ferry, Lake Ontario, Nick Tahou's, Ontario, Rochester, Rochester & Pittsburg Railroad, Rochester NY, The Ontario Car Ferry Company
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images, Train/Railroad Stuff, Transit + Infrastructure | 26 Comments »
Should Rochester Chase Soccer Hall of Fame?
Friday, April 5th, 2013![U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame [PHOTO: Steve Hutchinson, Flickr]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/us-soccer-hall-of-fame.jpg)
Al Schneider has been working for decades to bring some pretty major sporting institutions to Western NY. After the Olympic Summer Games in London, he requested a meeting with Governor Cuomo to discuss bringing the Olympic Games to Rochester. Six months later Rochester ended up on a list of cities who have expressed interest in bidding for the 2024 games. But local officials quickly passed on the idea. Fear not. Schneider’s got other irons in the fire…
Tags: Al Schneider, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Rochester, Rochester NY, U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame, United State Soccer Association (USSA)
Posted in Rochester News | 15 Comments »
Filling in: Parks and Reparation
Thursday, April 4th, 2013![Columbs Circle, maybe early 1970's? [PHOTO: andrewcusack.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/filling-in-reparations-01.jpg)
The following is a guest post submitted by Matthew Denker.
Submit your story today.
Dear readers, let’s take a short break from redeveloping Rochester. Instead, can we take a moment to consider that which we’ve lost? That which we can still repair?
This week, let’s talk about parks. Specifically, let’s talk about Lomb Memorial Park, and Schiller Park. But first, take a look at Columbus Circle in New York City (above). Oh man! Look at poor Christopher Columbus hanging out there all alone in the middle of traffic. At least he has a convenient parking spot for his car. Wait, what? You say that Columbus Circle doesn’t look anything like that? Well, I guess it doesn’t, now…
Tags: Andrews Street, Christopher Columbus, Columbus Circle, downtown Rochester, Franklin Square, Franklin Street, Freidrich von Schiller, Henry Lomb, Henry Lomb Memorial, Inner Loop, Lomb Memorial Park, Matthew Denker, New York City, Rochester, Rochester NY, Schiller Park, Upper Falls Blvd.
Posted in Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester Destinations, Rochester History, Rochester Images, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Development | 36 Comments »
Local History Classes at New “Rochester Brainery”
Friday, March 29th, 2013
Danielle Raymo and Stephanie Rankin, two recent college grads, have just opened a new and exciting business in Village Gate. Rochester Brainery brings fun and affordable learning experiences to the public with sort of a no-strings attached philosophy. They seek out people in the community to come in and run educational workshops on various topics of interest, and anyone can sign up to take a class…
Tags: Danielle Raymo, educational classes, history of Rochester, local business, local history, new business, Rochester, Rochester Brainery, Rochester history, Rochester NY, Stephanie Rankin, Village Gate
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester News | 3 Comments »
Filling In: 88 Elm
Thursday, March 28th, 2013![88 Elm Street. 13 floors of empty waiting for you to do something with it. [PHOTO: City of Rochester]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/filling-in-88-elm-01.jpg)
The following is a guest post submitted by Matthew Denker.
Submit your story today.
As some of you may or may not know, the city has finally released a Request for Proposals (RFP) on 88 Elm Street . Up front, here’s a link to the RFP , in case you run a development company, or if you’re Larry Glazer and you’re looking for another project to work on.
In any event, here’s some background on 88 Elm St. Somehow, despite being built sometime in the 60s, no one is exactly sure when 88 Elm St. was constructed, or where, exactly, it came from. You’d think that’d be impossible in this day and age, but it’s not. In 1998, the city decided it had enough of the owners of the property not paying their taxes and they took it. All well and good, except now it’s been empty for 15 years. It’s emptier than you might think. The city spent more than a million dollars on an asbestos abatement and a new roof. The building has no electrical system, no sprinkler system, no HVAC, no plumbing. It is a completely bare 13 story tower. That’s a bit of a rarity, and it could be yours for only $360,000. Apparently that’s the market rate for the 13-story husk of a building…
Tags: 88 Elm Street, adaptive reuse, development, downtown, downtown Rochester, Elm Street, Filling In, Matthew Denker, Midtown Plaza, Rochester, Rochester NY, urban design
Posted in Opinion, Reader Submitted Stories, Urban Development | 16 Comments »
Pot Holds Bowie in Rochester
Monday, March 25th, 2013![David Bowie's mugshot after being arrested in Rochester NY for possession of marijuana. [PHOTO: Provided by Todd Hess]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/david-bowie-mugshot-rochester-ny-01.jpg)
It was 37 years ago today when the greatest photo in RPD history was taken. David Bowie was in town on his 1976 World Tour. After giving a performance at the War Memorial Arena on March 20, Bowie was arrested in a hotel suite in the early morning hours of March 21. Three others were also booked including James Osterberg, or Iggy Pop, the “godfather of punk rock.” This infamous mugshot was taken when the rockstar returned to Rochester and pleaded “not guilty” to the felony drug charge in Rochester City Court. This was the story printed in the Democrat and Chronicle the morning of March 22, 1976…
Tags: Blue Cross Arena, concert, David Bowie, Dwain Voughns, Iggy Pop, James Osterberg, marijuana, mugshot, music, musician, pot, Rochester, Rochester NY, Rochester Police Department, RPD, Thomas G. Presutti, War Memorial, War Memorial Arena
Posted in Art + Culture, Rochester History, Rochester Images | 31 Comments »
Climb Up Inside UofR’s Rush Rhees Library
Tuesday, March 19th, 2013![University of Rochester's Rush Rhees Library, originally completed in 1930 and named for Rush Rhees, the university's first president (1900-1935). What do you say we climb up inside this? [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/university-of-rochester-rush-rhees-library-01.jpg)
She’s a thing of beauty, don’t you think? Hundreds of thousands of square feet packed with mind-strengthening knowledge, all wrapped in 16 stories of brick and limestone, and capped off with 6,668 pounds of bronze bells. It’s the largest musical instrument in the city of Rochester, and also one of the top 50 research libraries in North America.
Proudly watching over the Eastman Quad , Rush Rhees Library at the University of Rochester seems to call out, “Come to me. Come to me and get your education on.” Personally, I’ve always wondered what the views are like from the top of that bell tower. What do you say we all climb up inside there and race to the top? Let’s go…
Tags: A.W. Hopeman and Sons, architecture, Arendt Willem Hopeman, Bloomfield, carillon, Fauver Stadium, Gordon & Kaelber Architects, Halloween Scare Fair, Harry Potter, Hopeman Carillon, Hopeman Memorial Chime, Immanuel Kant, Jeff Le, Michigan, Plato, René Descartes, Robert B. Goergen Athletic Center, Rochester, rochester images, Rochester NY, Rochester panorama, rochester photos, Rush Rhees Library, University of Rochester, UofR, urban exploration
Posted in Rochester Destinations, Rochester History, Rochester Images | 10 Comments »
Judgement Day for an Old Church, and an Unbuilt “College Town”
Sunday, March 17th, 2013
Two important cases will go before the Zoning Board this Thursday: the ongoing saga of one historic church on Main Street, and design concerns regarding the future College Town. Salvation for the church, as well as the promise of a pedestrian-friendly College Town, may hang in the balance.
First, if you’ve been following the story of the little white church at 660 W. Main Street, owner Marvin Maye will make one more appeal to challenge the building’s status as a Designated Building of Historic Value. If he succeeds, he could have a clear path forward to demolish the 140-something-year-old church.* And in its place would go a Dollar General store…
Tags: 660 W. Main Street, Celebration Drive, College Town, Collegetown, demolition, design standards, Designated Building of Historic Value, development, development plans, Elmwood Ave, Marvin Maye, Mount Hope, Rochester, Rochester NY, Stacie Colaprete, street design, Susan B. Anthony Neighborhood, University of Rochester, UofR, urban design, Westminster Presbyterian Church, zoning, Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), zoning code
Posted in Opinion, Rochester News, Urban Development | 34 Comments »
Filling In: Avon Place
Friday, March 15th, 2013
The following is a guest post submitted by Matthew Denker.
Submit your story today.
One of the best places to put additional density is near public parks. Why you ask? Well, that’s an excellent question. Not only do parks double as excellent backyards that homeowners don’t need to mow, but they provide excellent views (that will never go away), and density around parks makes the parks themselves more attractive to passers-by.
All of this translates to adding housing around pre-existing parks. This should be a priority for the city. While I am hoping to tackle a master plan for Brown Square Park (by Frederick Law Olmsted, no less!), let’s start out with something a little smaller…
Tags: Avon Place, development, Filling In, Fountain Street, infill development, Matthew Denker, Otto Henderberg Square Park, Rochester, Rochester NY, Swillburg, urban design
Posted in Opinion, Reader Submitted Stories, Urban Development | 27 Comments »
13 Storefronts
Wednesday, March 13th, 2013
I’ve given myself a photo assignment for 2013. Pick 13 subjects, and take 13 snapshots of each. Simple. We started last month with 13 mailboxes. This month I turned my lens on what I thought were some of Rochester’s most intriguing storefronts. These images were taken on the city’s east side, from Monroe Ave up to East Ridge Road…
Tags: 13 storefronts, 13x13x13, 819 Clinton Grocery, Big Deal Fashions, Boost Mobile, Clinton Avenue, Color Nails, Craft Company No. 6, Food, Main & Clinton, Main Street, Mellow Madness Tattoo Parlor, Monroe Avenue, North Clinton Avenue, North Union Street, Park Avenue, Portland Avenue, Rochester, Rochester NY, Rochester Public Market, S and M Mini Mart, S&S Express, Schuber Liquor Store, South Avenue, storefronts, University Avenue, Zimmermann's Hots, Zips
Posted in Art + Culture, Rochester Images | 12 Comments »
Loving Life at Erie Harbor Apartments
Monday, March 11th, 2013![Jim Mayer and his wife Irene invite us into their home at Erie Harbor Apartments. [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/erie-harbor-apartments-01.jpg)
“The units at Erie Harbor are very poorly designed and overpriced… The ground floor units don’t even have a view of the river – it is blocked by a berm… Shoddy construction… The stairs creak… Tacky… Ugliest building in Rochester…” These are all comments you may have heard about the Erie Harbor Apartments which were officially opened last fall .
When comments like these were left under a recent post on RochesterSubway.com, Jim Mayer didn’t take it sitting down. He contacted me and invited me to visit his home. He and his wife Irene sold their home in Brighton and now live at Erie Harbor. I admit, after nearly a three hour visit, I left feeling a bit jealous at just how much this couple is loving life in their new digs…
Tags: Abundance Cooperative Market, Brighton, downtown Rochester, Erie Harbor Apartments, Genesee River, Genesee Riverway Trail, Genesee Rowing Club, Irene Allen, Irene Mayer, Jim Mayer, Lofts at Village Gate, Mise en Place, Rochester, Rochester NY, Rochester Public Market, South Wedge, The Hamilton, University of Rochester, urban design, urban living
Posted in Interviews, Rochester News, Urban Development | 41 Comments »
Filling In: 759 Park Ave
Wednesday, March 6th, 2013![John Baker, Steve Gullace, Chris Gullace have proposed to construct a new gym and a 48 unit apartment building here at 759 Park Ave. [IMAGE: Bing Maps]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/filling-in-park-avenue-02.jpg)
The following is a guest post submitted by Matthew Denker.
Submit your story today.
Well, dear readers, I must admit that this is not exactly what I had planned when I left you the last time. That said, please bear with me while we look at something a little bit different.
John Baker, Steve Gullace, Chris Gullace have proposed to construct a new gym and a 48 unit apartment building at 759 Park Ave . The gym would be for the Talmudic Institute next door, while the apartments would be for rent. This has, not surprisingly, drawn a raft of criticism from the residents of the Park Ave neighborhood…
Tags: 759 Park Ave, Chris Gullace, development, Filling In, infill development, John Baker, Matthew Denker, Park Avenue, Rochester, Rochester NY, Steve Gullace
Posted in Opinion, Reader Submitted Stories, Rochester News, Urban Development | 49 Comments »
The Rochester Landmarks Poster, by Richard Margolis
Monday, March 4th, 2013![Rochester Landmarks Poster [IMAGE: Richard Margolis]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-landmarks-poster-richard-margolis.jpg)
When I first moved to Rochester’s Swillburg neighborhood thirteen years ago, my favorite place to eat was Highland Park Diner. I remember this Rochester Landmarks poster, by Richard Margolis, hung over one of the booths there. I used to stare and study those landmarks all the while shoveling Aunt Bee’s Homestyle Meatloaf into my face. Ah, my first taste of Rochester. Today I own that poster, and I’ve now been to all but one of the 38 landmarks on it. It’s a great feeling!
Now you can get your hands on a copy of this Landmark poster from the RochesterSubway.com Gift Shop, and start checking them off your list too. Can you name all 38 landmarks? No peeking! The answers are after the jump…
Tags: Aqueduct Bridge, ARTwalk, Browns Race, Bust of Goethe, Center at High Falls, Charlotte Lighthouse, Colgate Divinity School, Cutler Union, Don’s Original, Driving Park Bridge, Eastman Theater, Erie Canal, First Universalist Church of Rochester, Genesee Brewery, Genesee River, George Eastman House, Geva Theatre, gift idea, Gift Shop, High Falls, Highland Park, Highland Park Diner, Hojack Swing Bridge, House of Guitars, Hoyt-Potter house, Jack Rabbit, Jines, Kodak World Headquarters, Lamberton Conservatory, Landmark Society, Let’s Have Tea, Little Theatre, Lower Falls, Main Street Armory, Memorial Art Gallery, Naval Armory, Nick Tahou's, Ontario Beach, Oxford Street Magnolias, Park Avenue, photo, photographer, Poet’s Garden, poster, Richard Margolis, Robach Community Center, Rochester, rochester images, Rochester Landmarks poster, Rochester NY, rochester photos, Rochester Public Market, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Sam Patch, Schoen Place, Seabreeze Amusement Park, Seneca Park, Seneca Park Zoo, Stone Tolan House, Susan B. Anthony Square, The Powers Building, Writers & Books
Posted in Art + Culture, Rochester Destinations, Rochester History, Rochester Images | 2 Comments »
Historic Brighton Village
Monday, February 25th, 2013![Former site of historic Brighton Village. March, 2010. [PHOTO: RochesterSubway.com]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/brighton-village-east-avenue-wegmans-01.jpg)
This weekend, Wegmans closed their current East Avenue store so they could transition into their new, larger building . The new store replaces a historic area that was once the center of Brighton in the 19th century. The old Village of Brighton was served by the Erie Canal (now I-490). The canal was rerouted in the early 20th century and the entire area was annexed to the City of Rochester in 1905…
Tags: Andy Olenick, architecture, Brighton Branch of the Rochester Public Library, Brighton School No. 2, Brighton Village, Cyrus Oriental Rugs, demolition, East Avenue, East Avenue Wegmans, Fountain Bleu Coiffures, history of Rochester, Kate Lays, Kate Lotz, Martin Brewer Anderson School No. 1, Old Brighton Antiques, old photos of Rochester, old photos of Rochester NY, Rochester, Rochester history, Rochester NY, rochester photos, Safelink Supply, Upstate New York Alarm, Wegman's, William Billinghurst, Winton Road
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images, Urban Development | 18 Comments »
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