Recently we acquired this postcard (shown above) of the Rochester subway entrance at Court Street. And while I was reading up on the history of Rochester and the Erie Canal, I came across some pretty neat photos of downtown, the old canal, and later the construction of the Rochester Subway. These images say a thousand words so I’ll just start the slide show with this incredible panorama of Rochester from 1906…
Posts Tagged ‘Rochester’...
1906 Panorama and More Old Photos of Rochester, NY
Sunday, November 29th, 2009
Tags: Blue Cross Arena, Broad Street, City of Rochester, Cluet-Peabody & Company, Court Street, Democrat & Chronicle, Dinosaur Bar B Que, downtown Rochester, Erie Canal, Erie Canal Aqueduct, Exchange Street, Genesee Aqueduct, Genesee River, history of Rochester, Main Street, New York, NY, old photos, photo, photography, Rochester, Rochester Business Institute, Rochester City Hall, Rochester history, Rochester NY, Rochester panorama, Rochester Public Library, Rochester Subway, South Avenue, Statue of Mercury, Times Square Building, trolley, vintage postcard, vintage views
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images, Rochester Subway | 6 Comments »
Subway Confessions: Rochester’s Boys of Summer, 1952
Sunday, November 1st, 2009
Our recent article about the City’s initiative to fill the abandoned subway tunnel drew many interesting comments from our readers. I wanted to highlight one of those comments from Patrick Eagan—a native Rochesterian who has since relocated to south Florida (RochesterSubway.com receives almost as many emails from people now living outside Rochester as we get from current residents). When Patrick was a kid he used to play softball with the Kodak Park Athletic Association. And when you’re a kid what could go better with a game of softball than a ride on the Rochester Subway?
Patrick agreed to let us post his subway story here—but do check out his great blog
Tags: 19th Ward, abandoned subway tunnel, Cameos, Dewey Avenue, Emerson Street, Exchange Street, Four Corners, Jefferson High School, Kodak Park Athletic Association, KPAA Softball, New York, NY, Patrick Eagan, Rochester, Rochester Subway, Rochester Subway story, Rochester's northwest quadrant, softball
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Subway, Rochester Subway Stories | 1 Comment »
A Ghastly Warning from the Abandoned Rochester Subway
Wednesday, October 28th, 2009
Okay so Halloween is fast approaching. I hate the stinking day myself for reasons I won’t get into. But I recognize that most people like a good ghost story so I thought I’d share this. I regularly ask people to send us personal stories and experiences from the Rochester Subway and last summer an individual named Jeffrey Smith sent us a rather blunt warning about the abandoned subway tunnel. Claiming it to be hallowed ground, Jeffrey warns, “Leave it alone, don’t mess with it. It is fine the way it is, we don’t want your stupid shops or anything like that in it. I refuse to go within 100 yards of any of the entrances because of the strong spiritual pressure I feel going there…”
Tags: abandoned tunnel, ghost subway, Halloween, haunted subway tunnel, Jeffrey Smith, paranormal, Rochester, Rochester NY, Rochester Subway, Rochester Subway story, Rochester Subway tunnel, spirits, urban explorers
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Subway, Rochester Subway Stories | 6 Comments »
Subway Tunnel To Be Filled. This time they mean it. Probably.
Saturday, October 10th, 2009
For decades it’s been an inconvenient truth for Rochester. The abandoned Erie Canal turned ghost subway tunnel has long been considered a ticking time-bomb. It’s widely known that the city has wanted to fill at least the west end of the tunnel for many years, citing critical safety deficiencies in the structure beneath the street surface. But, with Rochester’s ongoing economic struggles and estimates into the $10’s of millions, the project has been repeatedly delayed (or swept under the rug). Until now…
Tags: abandoned subway, ADROC, Advocates for the Development of Rochester's Canal, Broad Street, Broad Street Tunnel Improvement Project, Brown Street, Chill-the-Fill, City of Rochester, Denver, downtown Rochester, Erie Canal, federal stimulus money, Main Street, New York, Nick Tahou's, Rochester, Rochester NY, Rochester Regional Community Design Center, Rochester Subway, Roger Brown, RRCDC, RRTC, satellite image, subway tunnel, Tom Grasso, Tom Hack, trolley
Posted in Interviews, Rochester News, Rochester Subway | 30 Comments »
Broad Street Tunnel Improvement Project
Friday, October 9th, 2009
Interview with Tom Hack, P.E., Project Manager
ROCHESTERSUBWAY.COM: It was recently brought to our attention that the City of Rochester is taking bids from contractors to repair and/or fill the abandoned subway tunnel under Broad Street. Can you confirm this? If so, what are the details of the job?
Tom Hack: The fill is going to take place from Brown Street to the RR portal next to Nick Tahoe’s (it involves about 1900 lf out of 4600 lf total). We are maintaining the RR portal behind Nick Tahoe’s as that will serve as a new access/maintenance road into the remaining sections of the tunnel.
ROCHESTERSUBWAY.COM: When are you hoping to start the work?
Tom Hack: We are scheduled to open bids on October 19, 2009. We hope to have “actual” construction operations underway in early December 2009, however the bulk of the tasks won’t hit their stride until April-May 2010.
ROCHESTERSUBWAY.COM: What range do you expect the bids to come in at? (in $$)
Tom Hack: We anticipate that bids for the work will be in the range of $14-16 Million (+/-).
ROCHESTERSUBWAY.COM: Is this project part of a larger initiative? i.e. Is this just Phase 1 in filling the rest of the tunnel, or maybe prep work for some larger project involving Broad Street?
Tom Hack: This project is a standalone project but obviously it does has ramifications toward other city proposed initiatives. Four issues that come into play are:
- Parking within the confines of the remaining rehabilitated sections of the Tunnel
- Phase III and IV of Rochester’s Historic Canal District Initiative does envision partial use of this space for the creation of the West end Basin, however the timing of this phase is 15-20 years out and obviously the dynamics and market conditions may dictate other uses.
- Stabilization and general enhancement of the corridor. This project does strengthen, link and unify the visual attributes of the surrounding land uses and neighborhoods. This is an overall initiative of the City and indirectly the streetscape amenities that we will be installing does add value in that regard.
- The project does advance the Rochester Heritage Trail. The Rochester Heritage trail is a designated walkway linking the City’s multitude of historic feature, dating when downtown was a port on the Erie Canal and the burgeoning center of commerce, industry and social activism. This is a self guided walk that identifies historic sites and tells the stories of Rochester’s people, places, and cultures as they impacted development of our nation. (Think Boston’s Freedom Trial)
Tags: abandoned subway, Boston's Freedom Trail, Broad Street, Brown Street, City of Rochester, downtown Rochester, Erie Canal, fill, interview, New York, Nick Tahoe's, Rochester, Rochester Heritage Trail, Rochester NY, Rochester's Historic Canal District, subway tunnel
Posted in Interviews, Rochester Subway | No Comments »
New Old Photos of Main St. Rochester
Thursday, October 1st, 2009
Last year sometime, Fred from Webster shared with us a few subway stories from when he was a kid. Fred contacted us again recently and this time shared a few old photos from the Main Street and Clinton area. When I get some time I’d like to go out and photograph these same locations today to see just how far we’ve come (or fallen). In the meantime take a look at these shots—and holler if you recognize any of these buildings…
Tags: Clinton Avenue, downtown Rochester, Main Street, memory, Monroe County, New York, NY, old photos, photo, photography, pictures, Rochester, Rochester history, storefronts, views, vintage, vintage views
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images, Urban Development | 1 Comment »
Rochester and Cincinnati transit maps shine in Monocle Magazine
Friday, September 18th, 2009
No it’s not for people with one eye. Monocle is a global current affairs magazine (published in the U.K.) with a sharp aesthetic and an editorial tone that suggests we can build a better world if we just think creatively about global problems. And wouldn’t you know, they took notice
Tags: abandoned subway, article, Cincinnati, Cincinnati Subway, Cincinnati Transit Map for Optimists t-shirt, Dream Machines, Monocle Magazine, New York, NY, OH, Ohio, Rochester, Rochester Subway, Rochester Subway map, Rochester Subway Poster, Sasha Issenberg
Posted in Rochester Gifts, Rochester News, Rochester Subway | No Comments »
The Race is On
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009There are 14 Democrats running for five open seats on Rochester City Council. Primary Election Day is Tuesday, September 15, 2009. Meet all the candidates here so you can make an informed decision. Rock the vote.
Tags: campaign, candidates, city council, Democratic Primary, election, Interviews, New York, Rochester, Rochester NY
Posted in Interviews, Rochester News | No Comments »
A REAL Small Town: Rochester Miniatures
Thursday, August 27th, 2009A few weeks ago we showed you an amazing model railroad in Hamburg Germany called Miniature Wunderland. After we posted that story, let’s just say we were inspired.
May I present to you… Rochester Miniatures…
Downtown Rochester, NY with Genesee Aqueduct
Tags: Bausch & Lomb Headquarters, downtown Rochester, fake miniature photography, Genesee Aqueduct, George Eastman House, Germany, Hamburg, miniature, Miniature Wunderland, New York, NY, Photoshop, Rochester, scale model, tilt-shift, U of R, University of Rochester, UofR, Xerox Tower
Posted in Rochester News | 1 Comment »
Maggie on Ren Square, “This is no fast ferry”
Sunday, July 5th, 2009
In a recent post I implored our readers to send Maggie Brooks an email and request that she listen to Mayor Duffy’s concerns about the Renaissance Square project. It took a while but I actually did receive a response from Ms. Brooks. There no big surprises in it. As expected she defends the project citing the federal dollars, potential new jobs, and the 11 years it’s taken the project to get off the ground (11 years and still counting). But there are a few points that seem rather curious to me—one of which is a “full return on investment [for taxpayers] within seven years. Sure sounds dreamy. Here’s Maggies full response…
Tags: Center City, city planning, downtown Rochester, economic development, high speed rail, highspeed rail, infrastructure, Maggie Brooks, Main Street, mass transit, Mayor Duffy, Monroe County, New York, NY, public transportation, Renaissance Square, Rochester, transportation center, urban revitalization
Posted in Interviews, Opinion, Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Development | No Comments »
It May Be High Times for High Falls
Saturday, June 20th, 2009
For a little more than 4 years I’ve worked in the High Falls district
A series of midday concerts presented by Hochstein Music School and WXXI called Hochstein at High Falls
Tags: Bru, business district, Center at High Falls, Creator's Hands, downtown Rochester, Empire Brewing Co., entertainment district, ESL, flour mill, Granite Mills Park, High Falls, Hochstein Music School, Jillians, Jimmy Mac's, Keys Martini & Piano Bar, Kodak, laser light show, McFadden's, mixed-use, New York, nightlife, Nothnagle, NY, Parazin Building, Parry Building, Partners Building, plaza, Redwings, Rochester, Rochester Railway, Rochester Subway Poster, Saddle Ridge, Spin Cafe, streetcar powerhouse, The Mills at High Falls, Tiki Bob's, Tribeca, trolley, Urban League of Rochester Economic Development Corp., urban renewal, urban revitalization, WXXI
Posted in Rochester Destinations, Rochester News, Urban Development | No Comments »
Mayor Duffy Awakening
Wednesday, May 27th, 2009
The City Newspaper this week published an interview with Mayor Duffy, ‘It’s not too late to change’: Duffy on Ren Square
Tags: city planning, downtown Rochester, Maggie Brooks, Main Street, mass transit, Mayor Duffy, Monroe County, New York, NY, Renaissance Square, Rochester, Rochester City Newspaper, transportation, urban planning, urban renewal, urban revitalization
Posted in Interviews, Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure, Urban Development | 1 Comment »
New York Museum of Transportation
Sunday, May 17th, 2009
If you’re visiting Rochester, or you and the kids are looking for something to do this weekend, the New York Museum of Transportation
Tags: caboose, Casey Jones, Delaware Lackawanna & Western Railroad, Elmira Corning & Waverly Railway, HO scale, interurban, locomotive, model trains, New York Museum of Transportation, New York State Railways, Northern Texas Traction Company, NYMT, Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company, R&GVRRM, rail, railroad, railroad museum, railroad ties, railroad tracks, Rochester, Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum, Rochester Railway Company, Rochester Subway, Rush NY, snow sweeper, speeders, things to do in Rochester, train museum, trains, transportation, trolley, Whiting trackmobile
Posted in Rochester Destinations, Train/Railroad Stuff, Video | 2 Comments »
Space Station Over Rochester, NY
Wednesday, May 13th, 2009
Okay this was too cool to keep to myself. This photo
Incidentally, this SkyWatch 2.0
Tags: image, photo, photography, Rochester, satellite, space, space shuttle, space station
Posted in Rochester News | No Comments »
Rewind: High Speed Rail Art from 2002
Tuesday, May 5th, 2009Fast forward or rewind? The dream of high speed rail in Upstate NY is nothing new. Back in 1993
Tags: Albany, Amtrak, art, Art Deco, Buffalo, Chicago World's Fair, Genesee Transportation Council, high speed rail, highspeed rail, infrastructure, Laura Wilder, Mario Cuomo, mass transit, Niagara Falls, NYSDOT, poster, President Obama, railroad, Rochester, Rochester history, transportation, Vice President Biden
Posted in Rochester Gifts, Rochester History, Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure | No Comments »
State and Main… Window on the Past
Saturday, April 18th, 2009The intersection at State and Main Streets in downtown Rochester, known as the Four Corners, was once the epicenter of the city. I’m going to let these two photos do most of the talking for me in this article. The photo below is of the Four Corners, looking north toward State Street.
The postcard I’m holding in my hand is from the early 1900’s (maybe 1912-ish). Holding it up in front of the same location in 2009, it becomes a tiny window onto the past.
Tags: architecture, city, downtown Rochester, Elwood Building, Four Corners, Gothic, Grand-Union, Main Street, Neoclassical, New York, NY, old photos, photo, photography, pictures, Powers Building, railroad, Rochester, Rochester history, Rochester Trust & Safe Deposit Company, Romanesque, trolley, Victorian, views, vintage, vintage postcard, vintage views, Wilder Building
Posted in Rochester History, Rochester Images, Urban Development | 12 Comments »
Designing Rochester
Monday, April 13th, 2009
A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of being introduced to the Rochester Regional Community Design Center
Tags: architecture, Center City, city planning, design, design charrette, downtown Rochester, environment, neighborhoods, New York, NY, public spaces, Rochester, Rochester Regional Community Design Center, sustainability, urban renewal, urban revitalization
Posted in Rochester News, Urban Development | 4 Comments »
Monroe County Transportation, Highly Satisfying?
Saturday, February 28th, 2009I asked Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks if our current transportation infrastructure (highways, bus routes, etc.) are adequate to serve the needs and growth of our community moving into the future. I also asked what she thought Rochester mass-transit should look like by the year 2020 and if there was anything she’d like to see changed or improved. Read her response, then please let me know what YOU think…
Tags: bus routes, commute, highways, infrastructure, Maggie Brooks, mass transit, Monroe County, New York, NY, public transportation, Rochester, traffic, transportation center
Posted in Interviews, Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure | 6 Comments »
The Renaissance Square Dance
Sunday, February 1st, 2009
Last week, Senator Chuck Schumer and County Exec. Maggie Brooks announced that the Renaissance Square project 
will be moving ahead, with or without the performing arts center. $45 million would still need to be raised to build the theater, and at this point it looks like that money would need to be raised entirely with private donations — HIGHLY unlikely. So what exactly are we building? A new bus station (essentially a covered parking lot for buses). New classrooms for Monroe Community College. Oh, and a big grassy area where the performing arts center would have been.
Pricetag? $230 MILLION and 10 years of planning!?
Tags: architecture, bus, bus station, bus terminal, city, Clinton Ave, design, downtown, Greenwich Village, Hell's Kitchen, Maggie Brooks, Main Street, MCC, mixed-use, Monroe County, Neil Bauman, New York, NY, performing arts, real-estate, Renaissance Square, Rochester, Senator Schumer, sidewalks, storefronts, street, urban planning, urban renewal, urban revitalization
Posted in Opinion, Urban Development | 6 Comments »
What Do You Need A Blog For Dude?
Friday, January 16th, 2009I’ve been working hard to add new and exciting stuff to RochesterSubway.com over the past month. Not the least of which is this handy-dandy Blog thingy. Relax, we won’t be calling it a “Blog” — that’s so 2005. We’ll just call them articles and I’ll be posting them as we have news or stories to share.
Tags: Gift Shop, Rochester, Rochester NY, Rochester Subway map, Rochester Subway Poster, rochestersubway.com, subway, subway blog, topics, Trolley and Bus Passes, vintage postcard of Rochester City Hall and Subway entrance
Posted in Opinion, Rochester Gifts | No Comments »
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