As you know, the City of Rochester is requesting development proposals for the empty lots along Charlotte Street. I am sending you a plan that I worked on with a couple of designers. Unfortunately, we have not been able to connect with any interested developers, and proposals were due December 5th.
The following design is by Pebble-stream; we wanted to share it with our friends who believe in the future of this community…
Because we’re always thinking ahead to the weekend, here are a couple of fun things you might want to check out. We’ve got a Christmas celebration going on in the South Wedge, and one heck of a shopping alternative to the big box stores…
Rochester has a nice skyline, although it’s not notably more impressive than some comparable cities like Des Moines, IA where the tallest tower is 801 Grand at 630 ft. or Birmingham, AL where the tallest tower is the Wells Fargo Tower at 454 ft. tall.
Welcome to the first in a new series blending geography and fashion with a focus on this place we call Rochester. We are fortunate to have host of boutiques and makers that bring a homegrown sense of Rust Belt chic to the varied spaces here. This series is an exploration of those spaces, many of which would otherwise not even get a second glance…
Have you ever noticed someone standing on the side a busy road or sitting on the curb while waiting for a bus? The lack of seating at bus stops in our area is a real problem, especially for seniors and people with disabilities. This week however, Reconnect Rochester unveiled a clever solution which they believe could change this picture…
Preface: I am a total geek and I have stopped caring who knows it. With that out of the way, one of my favorite things in the world to do is study old maps. And my favorite part of old maps are the titles! I told you, total… geek.
I’ve always been amazed at how much attention used to go into the details of these hand-drawn works of art. These days all we do is send a satellite up into space, or someone out to drive around and snap pictures of our streets – and don’t get me wrong, that’s pretty neat for other reasons. But Google streetview ain’t got nuthin on this. Go ahead, geek out…
Welcome to the first part of Filling In: 37 Eagle Street. I’d love to tell you how many parts to expect, but I don’t really know. What I can tell you is that this is the first Filling In about a real live project: my wife and I are building ourselves a house at 37 Eagle Street in Corn Hill.
So what gives? Why a house, you say? Well, I’ve always dreamed of building myself a house, and if you haven’t noticed from previous columns, I’m very much interested in developing Rochester. If that’s not a fortuitous intersection of desires, I don’t know what is…
While Buckingham Properties is hard at work breathing new life into Rochester’s old Ward Plumbing Supply building at 739 South Clinton Avenue a group of RIT architecture students is simultaneously using the project to test their own chops. The wild concepts the students came up with are fun to compare with the actual project…
It’s kind of amazing we haven’t looked at Charlotte Street already, but better late than never. Also, the RFP from the city is out, so there’s that. You can read the details here . Let’s just say the city is much more open minded about this proposal than the one for Midtown Parcel 5.
This proposal, in case you’re curious, is due December 5th. It’s going to be a busy few weeks for you if you’re trying to submit for this and Site 5…
You may recall waaay back in 2010 a group of RocSubway readers got together with the intent of drumming up support for transportation alternatives in Rochester. In a town where the car is king, that was to be no easy task. But we’ve been making measurable progress. Find out how you can help, AND get some original Thievin’ Stephen artwork as a thank-you…
Okay urban explorers and subway fans, lay down some newspaper and get ready to have your minds blown. A local photographer, Mark Goho, has made it his mission to capture 360º panoramas of Rochester parks to share with the world on Google Views. Mark’s latest project took him deep underground and, with a few clicks of a camera and mouse, he has given the general public unfettered access into the abandoned Rochester subway…
As some of you may or may not know, the city recently released a Request For Proposals (RFP) for the redevelopment of another piece of the Midtown site. Parcel 5 , the site in question, is the very long block from Main St to Elm St and between the Windstream building to the west and 1 East Avenue (Bank of America) to the east. Let’s go back to our trusty Midtown site plan for a visual…
Next spring construction will begin on Rochester’s first parklet—a mini public space—in front of Joe Bean Coffee Roasters . Parklets are a relatively new urban feature you may have seen popping up in metros across the country. These makeshift public spaces typically extend out from the sidewalk into adjacent parking spaces offering people a place to stop, to sit, and to rest while taking in the activities of the street…
RocSubway is excited to share with you some exclusive pictures of an exciting downtown development. 210 South Avenue is currently being transformed into future commercial and residential space in the heart of downtown Rochester. The building currently known as the Merkel Donohue building—and its connected buildings—will be transformed into a mix of commercial & residential space and will go by the name of Woodbury Place…
Next month Rochester’s transportation authority, Regional Transit Service (RTS) will open a new $50 million transit center at Mortimer Street in downtown Rochester. According to a D&C story RTS has requested that the City change the name of Mortimer Street to “RTS Way.” Mortimer Street has quietly existed between N. Clinton Ave and Saint Paul Street since Rochesterville was incorporated in 1817.
I’ve spent the last five years of my life advocating for Rochester’s public transit system and building a good working relationship with folks at RTS. That’s why I know they will take what I’m about to say as constructive criticism, and nothing more. Here it goes:
Renaming Mortimer Street after yourself is a bad idea. Don’t do it!! Now, let me explain…
Welcome back to Filling In. As you know, we have a soft spot for city-owned property. And in fact, we really like city property that is currently up for sale or out for proposal right now. With that in mind, let’s talk about 19 Eiffel place…
The erosion of a former barrier beach at the Braddock Bay outlet has caused silt to collect in the mouth of the bay, impacting channel navigation for boaters. The shrinking bay is also being over run with cattails which as led to the displacement of various native plants and wildlife. In an attempt to restore the bay, the Buffalo-based U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is considering a plan to build up a new barrier beach and construct a new breakwall.
Last spring Senator Chuck Schumer urged the EPA to fund the $9 Million project, saying the plan would help open navigation channels for boaters, create new fish spawning areas for game fishing, and protect local wetlands & wildlife. The Senator also points out that property values for the nearly 100 homes on the bay are also at stake.
But not everyone is in favor of the engineering plan. Last week, Barbara Carder of Hilton wrote in to express her concern over the issue. She’s asking for people to attend a public meeting this Wednesday…
Rochester Museum and Science Center is planning an expansion to link the main museum building on East Avenue with the Strasenburgh Planetarium next door. The $7 million project will be paid for with the help of private donations and a variety of grants.
Now, most people seem to agree the link between the two buildings is greatly needed. However, since renderings were released last spring, the design aesthetic has been a hotly debated topic…
This week on Filling In, we’re going to take a look at one of the sadder surface parking lot+grass field combos in the city. Sure it’s not the only one, but it’s sitting in a built up neighborhood, next to a local grocery store.* Indeed, the walk score of this location is a hefty 86. It’s not for a lack of ideas that nothing is here. Take a look at this prior effort…
Get Email Updates...
Stay up-to-date on Rochester-related stories, artifacts, and ideas that you won't find in the mainstream news.
Totally free, never spammy, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
After the Erie Canal was rerouted south of downtown Rochester, the Rochester
Industrial & Rapid Transit Railway (the “subway”) was built in
its place as a link between the five different railroads and interurban trolley
lines that served the Rochester area. As the industrial landscape of Rochester
changed, and highways replaced the railroads, the Rochester subway gradually
became a relic of a bygone era. In 1956 the subway was abandoned and much of
its route was converted into Interstate 490 — built to connect Rochester
with the New York State Thruway (I-90). Read more about the history of the Rochester Subway.
RochesterSubway.com exists to help spark
public dialogue around how we can better connect the neighborhoods of Rochester
NY, surrounding communities, and their cultural offerings. Rochester’s
future is written in her past. Let's rediscover it.
![Development proposals for the empty lots along Charlotte were due to the City on Friday. An independent design shop called Pebble-stream came up with this proposal but couldn't find an interested developer before the deadline. [IMAGE: James Reynolds, Pebble-stream]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/pebble-stream-charlotte-street-plan-01.jpg)
![Emma Rusa in the Inner Loop: outfit by Thread; handbag by Carrie George. [PHOTO: Clarke Condé]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-fashion-wear-to-where-inner-loop-01.jpg)
![Rochester Map Typography [IMAGE: Rochester Public Library]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-map-typography-1910-detail.jpg)
![The old Ward Plumbing Supply building at 739 South Clinton Ave. [PHOTO: Google]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-edge-of-the-wedge-02.jpg)
![Charlotte Street, Rochester NY. [PHOTO: Google]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/denker/Charlotte-St-Current-View.jpg)
![50 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Rochester NY. [PHOTO: Flickr User Da Da Z]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/topics/wp-content/uploads/rochester-facts-40-1.jpg)
![Street artist Thievin' Stephen has donated some of his work to benefit Reconnect Rochester, a 501(c)3 non-profit group working to improve transit alternatives in our area. [PHOTO: Thievin' Stephen]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/thievin-stephen-rochester-bike-lane-print-04.jpg)
![A local photographer has begun capturing the abandoned Rochester subway for viewing on Google Street View. [PHOTO: Mark Goho]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-subway-virtual-tour-01.jpg)
![Next spring construction will begin on Rochester's first parklet in front of Joe Bean Coffee Roasters. [IMAGE: Staach]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/parklet-at-joe-bean-coffee-rochester-ny-03.jpg)
![Merkel Donahue building, Oct 2014. Development Update on 210 South Avenue, Rochester NY. [PHOTO: Steve Vogt]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/development-update-210-south-ave-rochester-ny-01.jpg)
![Braddock Bay, Rochester, NY. [PHOTO:
Rochester Parks, Google]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-braddock-bay-breakwall-01.jpg)
![\"RochesterSubway.com\"](\"https://rochestersubway.com/images/pixel_white.gif\"){kind=tracking}
