Rochester Development News [Archive]

blangjr21

October 26th, 2006, 04:05 PM

Pasta plant reaching boil

It's muddy going, but Barilla aims to be roofed in next month

http://cmsimg.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A2&Date=20061026&Category=BUSINESS&ArtNo=610260341&Ref=AR&Profile=1001&MaxW=275&MaxH=225&Q=96

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Amy Wu
Staff writer

(October 26, 2006) — Rain, fierce winds and impending winter threaten to slow the construction of Barilla's $96 million pasta plant in Avon, but at company headquarters in suburban Chicago, President Kirk Trofholz remains confident the plant will be churning out its staple product by June.

"Everything is going as we hoped it would," said Trofholz, head of Barilla America, in a phone interview. Despite recent rains, the project "appears on track and on schedule. ... We're hoping to get everything under the roof by Thanksgiving time. We want to beat the snow."

In Avon, site manager George Shaffer treks through a landscape that is both rocky and muddy. He points out that the gift-boxed-shaped warehouse is near completion, but the main plant, parking lot and Barilla Drive haven't been started yet.

"From the standpoint of the schedule, it's very aggressive," Shaffer said of the June target date. "From the standpoint of a site and location, it's very, very difficult. We're in a cornfield trying to build a plant."

The construction site is a mix of earth movers, backhoes and potholes formed by recent downpours. The crew has had to bring in machinery to pump out the water.

A lot is riding on the plant for both the company and Avon, which is 20 miles south of Rochester. It will be the Italian pasta giant's second U.S. plant, and it's intended to relieve pressure on the plant in Ames, Iowa, which is "running 24/7 and out of capacity," Trofholz said.

The plant also will be a distribution hub for Barilla, with the warehouse managed by Jacobson Warehouse Co. Inc.

For Avon and the Rochester region, the plant means 120 new jobs and an economic shot in the arm. The 50 acres owned by Barilla America are part of a 250-acre site that will be a Livingston County industrial park.

The pasta factory is expected to churn out some 44,000 tons of pasta in the first year, increasing to 100,000 tons a year after two additional assembly lines are completed by 2009. The Iowa plant, which opened in 1998, makes about 125,000 tons a year.

The Avon plant will produce every kind of pasta product except for the Barilla Plus product line and lasagna. Sauce for Barilla's U.S. products is made by LiDestri Foods in Fairport.

Barilla is moving ahead with hiring, too, and is recruiting through the New York Center for Workforce Development. Current job openings include maintenance technicians, an auto technician and quality assurance manager. Already the company has received a flurry of applications for the first round of hiring.

The plant manager will be relocated from Barilla's headquarters in Parma, Italy. Five employees from Iowa are relocating to Avon and all others will be hired locally.

Trofholz said the plant is crucial to increasing the business of Barilla America, which has almost one-quarter of the U.S. pasta market. Forty percent of its U.S. sales come from the Northeast, so the location of the new plant makes sense.

Avon beat out more than 50 contenders, offering a combination of local and state incentives that could be worth about $2 million, the promise of a high-quality work force and access to a rail line.

Trofholz said Barilla will become a part of the greater Rochester community. Some plans in the pipeline include partnering with the New York Wine & Culinary Center in Canandaigua, about 25 miles to the east, and getting involved with area food banks.

"We really like the Avon community," said Trofholz, who will travel here once a quarter. "We plan on being part of the community for a long time."

DallasTexan

October 26th, 2006, 05:01 PM

Nope, if I'm wrong, I'm wrong, and it appears that I am. Rochester is #34 in the nation. I just suppose it is not well known because of its small student body size.

veryprotourism

October 26th, 2006, 05:24 PM

http://rocwiki.org/Inner_Loop

heres something they could do with that rensquare money that would do far more for downtown and wouldn't require knocking down any buildings.

RochesterAddict

October 26th, 2006, 05:31 PM

Cohoe’s Closing
13 WHAM

Shoppers at a popular local store have been greeted with a shocking announcement: Cohoe's in Pittsford Plaza will close sometime next year—possibly as early as January.

Edie Becker, 85, has worked for Cohoe’s since opening day 22 years ago. The store's closing is devastating for her and 80 co-workers.

"It's almost like working in a mortuary,” she said, “and I don't think there's anything we can do about it, because big business bought us out."

Corporate owner Burlington Coat Factory would not let 13 WHAM News in the store Wednesday night, and would not comment, but shoppers know what's going on.

Some have even signed a petition, hoping to prevent what is now inevitable.

Shopper Sally Nudd said, "It's more service-oriented than the average department store…you won't find a place like this."

Pittsford Supervisor Bill Carpenter feels for the employees but he says that the owner of Pittsford Plaza has a plan.

Wilmorite will break up the old Chase-Pitkin into multiple stores. And big-name companies are already negotiating to take over large pieces of property.

Carpenter can't reveal who -- just yet.

He said, "We're very, very pleased with the names we're hearing. We think it will bring Pittsford Plaza to an even different level than it is now."

Workers like Edie can only hope that whoever replaces Cohoe’s will keep the employee list handy.

She said, "I suppose we'll have to look for other jobs. Most of us want to work, and a lot of us have to work."

Burlington Coat Factory did not return our calls for comment and Cohoe’s store managers declined to talk about the situation.

But supervisor Carpenter said he does not believe Cohoe's was struggling as a business.

Burlington Coat Factory is closing at least three other Cohoe’s stores in this region.

Pittsford will focus quickly on what's coming next.

I have mixed feelings about Cohoes, similar to Syms that closed in June, and now Walgreens knocked the former Syms building down and is putting in a new pharmacy. While it was nice because Cohoes was different, it was nothing special (similar to Syms), Im just happy Burlington Coat Factory wont take its place. Looking forward to see what will move in there, hopefully wont get let down.

Industrial sites sold for $2.3 million
Rochester Business Journal

CB Richard Ellis has sold two industrial properties—on Jefferson Road in Henrietta and Pixley Industrial Parkway in Rochester—for a total of nearly $2.3 million, the firm said.
The Jefferson Road property formerly housed Genesee Ford Truck Sales Inc. The 5.5-acre parcel was purchased by Penn Detroit Diesel Allison Inc., of Philadelphia, for some $1.5 million and will be used as a truck service and repair facility.
The 8.4-acre property on Pixley Industrial Parkway was owned by Statewide Refrigerated Services LLC. It was sold to Yaro Enterprises Inc. of Spartanburg, S.C., for $775,000. The site includes two large freezers and a refrigerated warehouse along with office and additional warehouse space.

Wegmans begins drug discounts: Starting today, store pharmacies will offer 90-day supplies of nearly 200 medications for $11.99.
Plain Vanilla Shell
Excerpt from Wilkes-Barre Gazette

Wegmans supermarkets will sell generic drugs at deeply discounted prices beginning today at their in-store pharmacies.

The Rochester, N.Y.-based chain with stores in Wilkes-Barre Township and Dickson City is offering customers a 90-day supply of nearly 200 medications for $11.99.

The price cut was in the works for a few months, but the move last month by retail giant Wal-Mart to sell certain generics for $4 a month "caused us to ramp up our timetable," Wegmans spokeswoman Jo Natale said Wednesday.

"Wal-Mart's program is different," Natale said. "Theirs is not focused entirely on maintenance drugs."

Wegmans looked at sales across its chain of 71 stores to come up with the drug choices, she said. The program applies to medications taken over long periods of time for chronic conditions.

"I'd save a couple of bucks on that," said Tony Maslousky of Wilkes-Barre. He was at the Wilkes-Barre Township Wegmans on Wednesday to pick up medicine. Maslousky estimated he spends between $50 and $60 a month on prescriptions.

The nearby Wal-Mart on Highland Park Boulevard does not yet participate in the company's discount drug program. It began in the Tampa, Fla., area stores and spread to 14 other states, including New York.

Wal-Mart spokeswoman Jamie Arms said the company plans to introduce the program to "as many states as possible as soon as possible."

The Minneapolis-based Target Corp. responded to Wal-Mart's discount in Florida by saying it would match its competitor's lower prices on generic drugs.

Kmart began selling 90-day supplies of certain generic prescriptions for $15 in May at its 1,100 pharmacies.

Wegmans is cutting the price of some drugs by more than half with its discounts. A 10 milligram dosage of the high blood pressure medication Lisinopril used to cost $55.99 for a 90-day supply. A 50-milligram dosage of the anti-depressant Trazodone used to sell for $28.99, according to Wegmans.

The generic drugs are already lower-priced than brand-name prescription medications. The supermarket chain can cut the prices further by offering three-month supplies, Natale said. Dispensing the drugs once every 90 days is more cost effective than filling three orders during the same time period.

In addition, "we've adjusted our profit margin," Natale said.

The privately held company has had in-store pharmacies since the 1970s. "It is a major part of our business," Natalie added. She would not disclose the revenues generated from the in-store pharmacies.

Jerome

October 26th, 2006, 05:51 PM

Nope, if I'm wrong, I'm wrong, and it appears that I am. Rochester is #34 in the nation. I just suppose it is not well known because of its small student body size.

At least unlike the Windy City blowhard you are secure enough to admit when you are wrong. Kudo's to you.

ManAboutTown

October 26th, 2006, 06:50 PM

http://rocwiki.org/Inner_Loop

heres something they could do with that rensquare money that would do far more for downtown and wouldn't require knocking down any buildings.

The raised Inner Loop is a very cool project, too bad the City can't get their act together and start the detailed planning for it. It's been five years since they released the preliminary plans which called for raising the Inner Loop between Monroe Ave and East Main Street. From what I understand, the State gave the City $500,000 to do detailed design work back in 2002 and the City has yet to get going on it. I believe overall cost estimates for the project are around $26 million.

Most of "that rensquare money" cannot be used for this project since it is either earmarked specifically for "Renaissance Square" or "Rochester Central Station", or comes from FTA for use in transit-related projects. Sadly, at the rate the City is moving, we will not see this Inner Loop project built until 2015 or so. I agree though that it is of at least equal importance to our city as Renaissance Square.

ROCguy

October 26th, 2006, 08:52 PM

Is UofR really that picky? It's just a SUNY school... you make it seem like Harvard or something.

UofR is not a SUNY School.....it's a private university and was just ranked in the top 40.

ManAboutTown

October 26th, 2006, 09:24 PM

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released the latest Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages data (1st Quarter - 2006). If you don't remember, QCEW is the real-world data that shows what's really going on, unlike those monthly estimates we hear so much about. All of you haters out there will be happy to know that the Rochester MSA did not fare well in the latest figures.

Between Q1-2005 and Q1-2006, the Rochester MSA lost 1,503 jobs (-.3%). In the same time period, the Buffalo-Niagara Falls MSA lost 830 jobs (-.2%), the Syracuse MSA gained 1,517 jobs (+0.5%), and the Albany MSA gained 1,454 jobs (+0.4%).

Hope this serves as continued proof that I do not only post information when it is positive for Rochester. Unfortunately.

sargeantcm

October 26th, 2006, 09:50 PM

Awww, the best laid plans of mice and men - Syracuse beat Albany. Take that. How much you want to bet, Syracuse was mostly private industry while Albany was government? Actually, we already know it was so.

Xusein

October 26th, 2006, 10:09 PM

yea but its still a wacky liberal school in Rochester...kinda like being the rich guy in Somolia with the only car and no gas stations.

LOL!

steel

October 27th, 2006, 04:40 PM

Nope, if I'm wrong, I'm wrong, and it appears that I am. Rochester is #34 in the nation. I just suppose it is not well known because of its small student body size.

and does not have a lunk head major sports program

blangjr21

October 28th, 2006, 10:05 PM

Construction contracts rise here

By MARY STONE
Rochester Business Journal
October 27, 2006
September contracts for future construction in the Rochester area rose 69 percent compared with last year—from $82.3 million to $139.2 million, the Research and Analytics unit of McGraw-Hill Construction reported.
Non-residential contracts rose approximately 200 percent from $36.1 million to almost $106 million, while residential contracts fell 28 percent from $46.2 million to $33.2 million. Residential buildings include one- and two-family houses and apartments.
Year-to-date, non-residential construction is up 68 percent from $318.5 million to $535.4 million; residential building has fallen 9 percent, from $393.9 million to $358.69 million. Total building rose 25 percent, from $712.4 million to $894 million.
Construction activity was recorded for the Rochester area, which includes Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans and Wayne counties.

BuffCity

October 29th, 2006, 10:50 PM

good news ROC...continue that trend.

Susie

October 30th, 2006, 03:14 PM

Kodak downsizing hits merchants hard

Once-thriving restaurant is latest casualty along Ridge Road

Mary Chao | Staff writer

(October 29, 2006) — Henry Nguyen recalls when customers would line up to dine at his restaurant, Saigon Palace, on Ridge Road near Kodak Park.

Every weekday during the lunch hour, employees from Eastman Kodak Co. crowded his place, clamoring for Vietnamese pho noodle soup garnished with fresh basil and bean sprouts or his Asian buffet.

Eleven years after Nguyen's auspicious opening, Saigon Palace served its last meal at its Ridge Road location last night. Once a thriving business, the restaurant barely made enough money in the last two years to pay its bills, Nguyen said.

"I feel so sad," Nguyen said. "I like to continue to do business. Business is very slow. I cannot afford the rent."

Saigon Palace is the latest casualty of restaurants and retail stores that have closed near Kodak Park. Nguyen is busy looking for another location to revive his restaurant while other retailers have moved to different sites to keep their businesses alive.

Business owners in the area say the rounds of layoffs at Kodak have cut deeply into their sales.

Since 2003, Kodak has identified 45 buildings and sheds in the Kodak Park area for demolition, said company spokesman Chris Veronda. Most of them are obsolete structures not serviceable by another business, he said. Ten other Kodak buildings are on the market and three have already sold, Veronda said.

Kodak's employment in the Rochester region is now 14,000, compared with 23,000 in 2001, Veronda said. At its peak in 1982, Kodak employed more than 60,000 people in the area.

But the slimming of the company was not all because of job cuts, Veronda said. Many retired or left voluntarily, he said, noting that retirees with pensions continue to live in the community and contribute to its economic vitality.

Business at Saigon Palace had dwindled in its last days. At noon Monday, three Kodak workers dined in the mostly empty restaurant that used to serve bustling crowds.

"There's been a steady decline of Kodak employees within walking distance of the park," said Dana Wolcott, an engineer at Kodak, while waiting for his pho soup at Saigon Palace.

It's not just the downsizing, but relocation of many of the employees to other buildings, he said, noting that he was moved to a building three-quarters of a mile away — making it more difficult to walk to local restaurants for lunch.

Kodak chemists Gus Apai and Tseng En Hu were also moved to other buildings, but decided to make the trip out to Saigon Palace for lunch.

"You don't see the lunch crowds any more," Apai said.

'It's pretty sad'

Down the street at K.J. Quinlan's restaurant and pub, co-owner Kelly O'Connell worked both the bar and the dining room for about a dozen lunchtime customers. Business during lunch isn't what it used to be, she lamented. "We're down 35 percent on lunches," she said. "It's pretty sad."

What has saved her business is creative marketing, creating dart leagues and pool leagues that draw visitors at night, she said, adding she plans to stay put at the Ridge Road location because she owns the building.

'A bad situation'

Kevin Gerhard opted to leave the Kodak Park area last year to re-open Maximilian's Subs and Catering in Webster.

"We watched the business dwindle," he said. "We were in a bad situation. It's the Ground Zero effect. When they lay off a few hundred people, we're at Ground Zero."

Gerhard opened his sub shop on Ridge Road 12 years ago and had a brisk lunch business, but saw his business drop 35 percent in the last six years. By the time he closed late last year, the shop was losing money, he said.

Moving to Webster failed to save his business, as the sub shop closed Friday.

"Retail business is not where it is in the city or Webster," Gerhard said.

Difficult decision

Going to the suburbs has helped other businesses. Moving Blanchard's Florist to Greece was a difficult decision, but necessary to save the business, said owner Jeff Blanchard. "We had to make a decision because it was becoming a ghost town," Blanchard said.

That wasn't always the case. Growing up around the business in the 1960s and 1970s, the retail strip along Ridge Road was a thriving area, Blanchard recalled, noting his family had been in business there since 1927. His grandfather owned a large home on Lake Avenue when it was an affluent area. Now, many of the grand homes along the strip have been cut up into apartments, Blanchard said.

Business fell by 30 percent by the time he moved last year. In Blanchard's first year in business in Greece, he earned back some of that lost business, generating double-digit sales increases.

Yearning for old days

After 54 years on Lake Avenue near Kodak Park, Piehler Pontiac consolidated all of its General Motors operations into its Pontiac-Buick-GMC truck dealership in Webster last month.

"It's been a difficult but necessary decision," Mike Piehler, president of Piehler Pontiac, said in a statement last month.

Simon's Baby Furniture also made the move to the suburbs. But instead of closing its city site, it changed its business model to complement the Pittsford store.

The Ridge Road store — which has been open since 1948 — is now a clearance center for bargain hunters looking for a deal, said third-generation family owner Mark Simon. It opened a second location in Pittsford about eight years ago, but the move was not because of Kodak. People who live on the east side of Rochester tend not to travel to the west side to do their shopping, unless they can get a great deal, he said.

"Our plan happens to work," said Simon, 38.

But he still yearns for the day of a thriving retail community aided by Kodak. Simon recalls fondly the days when all the area retailers ran promotions in March to entice Kodak employees to spend their bonuses.

"Ridge Road was the main shopping area," Simon said.

The Kodak bonuses still exist, but employees may now opt to put it in savings or investments, Veronda said.

Simon doesn't think Kodak is to blame for the Ridge Road strip's woes.

"The income level is lower (in the area) than it used to be," he said. "Construction killed a lot of what's there."

Kodak formed a community advisory council and has been working with the city's economic development office to address some of the issues, Veronda said. One of the issues for retail businesses is the lack of parking in the area, and Kodak worked with the city to create a lot at Ridge and Dewey, he said.

Dominic Zicari, owner of Extreme Biker Leather on Ridge Road would like to see other uses for some of the Kodak buildings slated to be torn down. Though his leather business isn't affected by the Kodak downsizings because it is a destination site, "I don't like all the empty store fronts," he said. "It's not good for business

RochesterAddict

October 30th, 2006, 05:15 PM

New idea meets historic building
Democrat and Chronicle

Ben Kendig is a developer, but not the kind of developer we often think of, who takes an empty parcel of land and puts up a shopping center or subdivision. Kendig specializes in "adaptive reuse of historic buildings" and is making quite a name for himself in western New York.

For example, Kendig and his High Falls Development Corp. rescued the decrepit Gorsline Building on Commercial Street and converted it into the High Falls Building, home to Internet and design firms.

He is hoping that his next success will be the historic Parazin Building at 208 Mill St., the last building between Platt Street and the Inner Loop in Rochester's High Falls District that has not been redeveloped.

If a purchase agreement is approved by the city, Kendig would like to adapt the building to a mix of commercial and residential uses, including an intriguing concept that combines offices with apartments on the upper floors.

If he succeeds, the Parazin building will have a new lease on life. And an important piece of Rochester history will be preserved.

Building history

As discussed last week, the building was constructed by Lewis Selye in 1826 and became part of the complex of mills and factories on the river's west bank that were powered by water channeled through Brown's Race. This early access to water power is what put Rochester on the map. For a decade or so, mills on both sides of the river made Rochester the Flour City of the entire world, former city historian Blake McKelvey has written.

Selye, on the other hand, used water power to manufacture fire engines that were used in federal fortifications and by fire departments across New York state and even in Cleveland.

In the 1860s, Selye's business associate Junius Judson took over the Selye complex, which included not only what is now called the Parazin Building but also the old Triphammer Forge. Judson manufactured governors he had invented to control pressurized steam engines. The Judson Steam Governor Co. and Judson Pin Works made him "one of the wealthiest citizens of Monroe County," Spurgeon King has written in an article about the Triphammer Forge for Rochester History.

"As electricity and steam replaced waterpower in the 1880s and 1890s, Brown's Race lost its strategic advantage for industrial uses," the Landmark Society of Western New York notes on its Web site.

Nonetheless, the building at 208 Mill St. continued to attract tenants well into the 20th century. A sampling of city directories (every fifth year) and plat maps shows that 208 Mill St. was occupied by Rochester Last, Die and Pattern Works (shoe lasts) from at least 1900 to 1910, the James Fitt Machine Co. Inc. in 1918, Booth Bros. Shoe Machinery from at least 1921 to 1935, the Bickford Bros. Co. (awnings) in 1945, and the Parazin Corp. (printing equipment and supplies) from at least 1955 to 1975.

After that, the building joined the growing ranks of vacant and dilapidated industrial structures throughout the High Falls area. It was donated to WXXI in 1984 to help the public broadcaster start an AM radio station. WXXI used it for storage, then sold it to a developer in 1998. As the High Falls District began to turn the corner, there was talk of converting the Parazin Building into a hotel, then making it an apartment complex or retail space. Nothing materialized, and the city obtained the building through foreclosure.

'Gut job' needed

Part of the problem is that the building requires major repairs, including a new roof.

Indeed, so extensive are the renovation needs — exceeding the appraised value of the building — that the city is contemplating a purchase agreement that will transfer the building to Kendig for a dollar, said Rick Rynski, senior economic development specialist with the city.

"It's a total gut job," observed one broker previously associated with the building.

That's nothing new for Kendig, who said he has adapted dozens of old buildings here and elsewhere. "I get 'em when nobody else wants them," he said.

If all the necessary governmental approvals fall into place, if all goes smoothly, new tenants could be moving into the Parazin Building in a year, Kendig said.

He envisions offices on the upper floors with "piggyback" apartments, which would be "used by office occupants who also want to live there and save gasoline or by businesses that would use the offices and let out-of-town visitors use the apartments."

However, Kendig added, there's more at stake than simply finding tenants for a vacant building, especially when that building has such a storied past.

"I do this type of historical adaptive reuse because I believe strongly that in our throw-away society, we have to be careful to preserve things," Kendig said, "so future generations can be reminded of what our forefathers did, of how we got here."

Finally! They are going to do something with this building, its about time, and housing is perfect!

Chase Pitkin stores find new tenants
WROC 8

It's been six months since all Chase Pitkin stores closed their doors. Some of the vacant buildings will soon be busy again.

Signs of the old Chase Pitkin in Irondequoit are gone. People who live and work here are wondering how long the building will be empty.

"Love to see a store come into the vacant Chase Pitkin. I can tell you not a day goes by that folks don't ask me what's going in there," said Mary Ellen Heyman, the Irondequoit town supervisor.

Inside the old Henrietta store work crews are renovating the building for a new retail store.

"Yeah, I wasn't to worried about that spot, it's right across from Marketplace, it's a great location for retail," said Henrietta Supervisor Jim Breese.

Wegmans has leased its building in Henrietta to Ashley Furniture. The town issued a building permit last month and expects the store to open by Thanksgiving.

"I think the consumers will shop there if they can get in before Christmas," Breese said, "We're giving them expedited service on building inspections and so on he sooner they open the better for everyone. "

Wegmans ---the owner of the home and garden chain -- is looking for tenants for other empty buildings. Wegmans says it's the store location that's drawing lots of interest.

The stores are adjacent to busy Wegmans food markets. Wegmans says it's taking it's time to find the right tenant to fill the vacant spaces.

"But we're very selective about tenants we lease to. That's part of the reason it takes longer to lease these spaces."

Spokesperson for Wegmans Jo Natale says finding suitable tenants is also a slow process because the buildings are so large.

"In some cases you might lease to multiple tenants. For example, like in Newark, we've least the former Chase Pitkin to Peebles Department Store and Do It Best Hardware Store," said Natale.

As negotiations continue for other Chase Pitkin stores shoppers in Irondequoit hope these doors will be open by the holidays too.

"It's a large space so it certainly would be nice to have something in there to be and engine. So the other business around there can be successful and continue to be successful," Heyman said.

Wegmans has demolished two former Chase Pitkin buildings in Rochester. It's rebuilding one store and using the other for extra parking space. The Henrietta store has been leased, and the Canandaigua store was sold. Wegmans is negotiating with potential tenants in four other locations: Penfield, Irondequoit, Webster, and Brockport. Wegmans doesn't own the Pittsford store, but is in a lease at that location.

Watch video here: http://wroctv.com/news/story.asp?id=25071&r=l

Duffy in Talks Over Midtown
WHAM 13

Midtown Plaza is about to lose a major tenant when J.P. Morgan Chase consolidates its downtown operations at Chase Tower. Six hundred workers will leave Midtown when the move is complete early next year.

13WHAM News has learned Mayor Bob Duffy is in talks with Midtown’s owner about what to do with the massive five-building office and retail complex.

It’s been five years since New York City-based Pembroke Companies became an operating partner of Midtown. Pembroke is headed by Rochester native Larry Cohen.

When Duffy took office, he made it a point to meet with Cohen.

“Mr. Cohen has been great. I've met with him personally. We've had discussions. We have ongoing discussions,” the mayor said.

When asked if Cohen has plans for the property, Duffy said, “I don't want to comment on what his plans are at this point. But the good thing is the city and Mr. Cohen are speaking.”

City officials and the Rochester Downtown Development Corporation believe Midtown is running in the black. When Chase vacates, however, they think Midtown will start to lose money, forcing the owner to take action.

“The city's going to have to play a role,” said Heidi Zimmer-Meyer, head of RDCC.

Zimmer-Meyer said investors will also have big input.

She identified possible roles for the city:

• The city could buy Midtown.
• The city could become an equity partner.
• The city could help a private owner pay for demolition costs.
• The city could provide a low-interest loan for development.

“It's going to be a heavy lift to do what needs to be done with that entire block,” she said.

Last year, the Urban Land Institute endorsed tearing down much of the complex. It was an idea Duffy supported. Now, the mayor is also looking at other possibilities, although he won’t give specifics.

“I don't want to comment on what I do and don't want. What I would like is Midtown and Sibley’s to be the magnet in downtown Rochester they once were,” he said.

Cohen did not return a voicemail left earlier this week. His publicist did not get back to us regarding an interview request.

Watch video here: http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=23E2C2D2-084E-40E1-B393-6E40D467590D

Keeping Redevelopment in the Family
RNews 9

It's been more than a year since a Syracuse-based developer purchased the former Irondequoit Mall. While it's been an uphill battle the new Medley Centre is bringing back business one retailer, and one family at a time.

"It’s the carrousel, the family events, the play center, and the trick or treating,” said Keith Clar of Irondequoit. “That's what it's all about is family when you get down to it."

Thousands of kids and their families pack the Medley Centre for a Saturday afternoon Halloween party. Families like the Clars say they're happy they can finally bring their kids back to this mall. "Three, four, five years ago I wouldn't have brought them here but now it's like almost every weekend they're here. They're either at the play place or doing something else here. We just feel a lot more secure," added Clar.

In less than two years, developer Adam Bersin has rented out 200,000 feet of retail space. It’s a revitalization spurred by an aggressive public relations campaign.

"Irondequoit had this mythic security issue that was based on a bunch of lies,” said Bersin. “The fact that we've got a beautiful mall with the right shoppers here and zero crime. It's really correcting a big lie told to this community."

Soon after investing $5.2 million in what had become a dead mall, Bersin realized the key to attracting new retailers was to change the mall's image. Bersin hopes to create a family friendly shopping center.

"We're a family we've got three kids. We want a mall for our own family. It's all about the kids isn't it? In this mall the children are going to bring this mall back and it's already started,” added Bersin.

Target invested $20 million. Bersin says another major retailer is expected in the near future. He believes the mall is well on its way to becoming the number one shopping center in upstate New York. The Clars are just happy to have a safe place to bring their kids.

"A lot of the kids stuff is what's really cool. I think that's what's going to get everybody back here. Hopefully the stores will see what's going on, see that families are starting to frequent this place again. They'll get a lot more people to want to come in and be apart of it," Clar said.

http://www.medleycentre.com/

bdaly

October 30th, 2006, 06:13 PM

I'm happy to see some action on Midtown. As long as there's silence following the Urban Land Institute's study, disinvestment will be prevalent. The owner/city needs to state what they're doing with it. With more people living downtown, I think there is a need for the retail side; the place never got as ghostly as the Irondequoit Mall did. So, I think redevelopment is possible, although filling the larger spaces will remain challenging. But, as long as people are left to assume demolition might occur, no one will move into the property.

Speaking of the Irondequoit Mall/Medley Centre, I stopped in on Saturday and the place was as busy as I've seen it in a long time. It's going to be a slow go in terms of filling the smaller stores, and it probably won't get back to where it was given the retail saturation, but it's moving in the right direction. Placing Target within easy walking distance of Macy's is smart. I noticed a new toy store opened next to the play area and a furniture store looks like it'll open soon. Hopefully he'll continue to focus on unique stores to fill the inside of the mall.

ROCguy

October 30th, 2006, 06:36 PM

Well, here is some REAL development news. They've stopped the main culprit of the bad cycle.... now lets see if they can reverse it (and hope that the municipalities follow suit as well)

No county tax hike for 2007

Brooks says Monroe will find other ways to close $30M gap

Joseph Spector
Staff writer

(October 30, 2006) — Monroe County taxpayers can know this much: The county won't be raising property taxes or sales taxes to cover its budget gap for 2007.

The county, running out of time and facing opposition from the city and state lawmakers, has scrapped plans to cover its 2007 budget deficit through an increase in the sales tax, a plan that would have raised it from 8 cents to 8.75 cents on the dollar.

Instead, the county will try to close what is now a projected $30 million deficit the old-fashioned way: through some cuts in services, cost containments and other efforts to bring in new revenue.

Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks will unveil a budget proposal by Nov. 15 for the 2007 fiscal year, which begins Jan 1. She said there has been no specific decisions on how the gap will be closed. She has ruled out a property tax increase.

"It's going to be a combination of one-shots, of cuts, of some additional revenue, reducing costs," she said.

"It's going to be combination of factors."

Brooks sought to close what was originally a $45.7 million budget gap in 2007 through her "community solution," a complicated plan that would shift sales tax revenue away from municipalities and schools to pay for growing Medicaid costs. The loss of revenue to those entities — about $172 million in 2008 — would be made up through the increase in the sales tax.

But the proposal, pushed hard by Brooks, hasn't gained any steam.

The 54 entities — schools, towns, villages and the city of Rochester — balked at the plan, arguing that the deal would leave them in peril and put millions of dollars in tax revenue at risk. The county sued them in May to get legal permission to make the move and received what it believed was an affirmative ruling.

Yet the entities have filed an appeal and the case will be tied up in court until at least late winter. Members of the Democratic-controlled state Assembly have also protested a sales tax increase, which would need the blessing of the state Legislature.

Even if the state Legislature did approve, there's no way a sales tax increase would get voted on this year. The Legislature isn't expected back to Albany until after the new year.

So after the GOP-led county Legislature approved a controversial law in September to push back the budget submission deadline from mid-October to mid-November, Brooks has been unable to get leaders to coalesce around the "community solution."

She hopes to regroup next year and get the community solution approved in time for the 2008 fiscal year. The sales tax shift, called the Medicaid sales tax intercept, wouldn't go into effect until 2008 anyway, Brooks said.

"We are going to balance our 2007 budget without the sales tax and we were fully prepared to do that when we put the community solution on the table," Brooks said.

But Democrats have knocked Brooks' backtracking, saying she led the public to believe that the "community solution" was the only viable option to remedying the budget problem.

Minority Leader Carla Palumbo said it's like "the boy who cried wolf."

"It makes people sort of wonder what the heck is really going on," she said.

New choices

The county hoped to have the sales tax increase in effect in 2007, allowing the county to earn about $35 million more in sales tax revenue than it currently receives. Instead, they need to find other ways to close the gap. But for the county, the good news is that the gap is $15 million less than first anticipated.

The county has been able to save money largely through a drop in Medicaid costs, restructuring of health care costs and about a $5 million increase in property tax revenue, said budget director Bill Carpenter.

With a county budget near $1 billion, a $30 million gap is a manageable number, officials said. However, the fear is that the gap is expected to grow each year as government costs continue to outpace tax revenue.

But Brooks said the budget cuts this year won't be severe. "I don't think there is going to be anything dramatic that people should be preparing for," she said.

Residents, however, have a clear opinion on how the county shouldn't close its budget gap: Don't raise property taxes.

Only 16 percent of residents said the deficit should be remedied with a property tax increase, according to a poll conducted last month for Voice of the Voter, a community collaboration between the Democrat and Chronicle, WXXI Public Broadcasting and WHAM-TV (channel 13).

An equal number of residents — 37 percent — each said a sales tax increase or cuts in services would be a better route to take.

Mary Merritt, 40, of Irondequoit said there are six houses in her neighborhood that have been for sale for months. She blames high taxes for the problem.

"Raising the taxes are not going to make things better," she said Friday.

Others were more dejected about the fiscal responsibility of elected leaders.

"Regardless of what the people say, they are going to do (what they want) anyway," said Leroy Brown, 50, of Rochester.

Different options

The poll backed up what Brooks and Republicans have been urging: People here are fed up with a state and local tax burden that is the highest in the country.

Brooks and Mayor Robert Duffy have been working on ways to consolidate services and find efficiencies between the two governments.

In 2004, a Budget Advisory Team commissioned by Brooks recommended city and county consolidations, including water systems and fleet maintenance. There has also been talk of consolidating civil service departments.

But Duffy and Brooks said there have been no decisions on what consolidations could occur, and it appears unlikely that any agreements will be part of Brooks' budget proposal.

"It's a work in progress," Duffy said. "There are no definitive decisions yet."

The county runs on a calendar year budget cycle. The city budget runs from July 1 to June 30.

Democrats in the county Legislature have been pushing their own plan, Blueprint for Progress, which recommends cutting costs partly through having towns, villages and Rochester pay for county sheriff's services. But Republicans have rejected the idea.

Susie

October 30th, 2006, 07:14 PM

RochesterAddict

October 30th, 2006, 09:34 PM

Greece ranked 9th in safety; Rochester 334th
Democrat and Chronicle

If you’re driving through St. Louis, lock your car door. If you’re driving through Greece, breathe easy.

The Rochester suburb is the ninth safest community in the nation, according to the latest annual rankings of the safest and most dangerous American cities as compiled by Morgan Quitno Press.

A private research and publishing company specializing in state and city reference books, it ranked cities based on their crime rates and on a weighted scale, based on the crime’s level of danger.

A surge in violence in St. Louis has made it the most dangerous city in the nation, beating out Detroit for the distinction.

Amherst, Erie County, was second safest in the nation out of 371 ranked municipalities. Rochester came in 334th — trailing Syracuse, at 305th but ahead of Buffalo, which came in 340th.

http://www.morganquitno.com/cit07pop.htm#25

Very interesting. Greece was #21 last year.

Suzanne, your hypothesis/heresay is never believable, without proof. You would find anyway you could to make something negative, misery loves company. Is Hamlin even part of Monroe County? If it is, it should be annexed as the Appalachia of Monroe County, its own depressed state. Lonsberry is a racist hick from somewhere south of Rochester, you two are in good company. Who takes him seriously?

What the article on West Ridge Rd doesnt say is that Saigon Palace looks like an old dirty dump on the outside, that is why no one goes there. It is as vile looking as the California Brew House and the girls at the Mirage. The neighborhood is gross, sprawl has made the decent people move away. Most buildings need major rehab to make them more aesthetic. Kodak workers have been told they cannot leave the complex at lunch, or now take 30 minute lunches to work 30 minutes less a day. Also, the construction since 2004on West Ridge Rd has closed many businesses and that construction will continue until 2008. There are a myriad of reasons why West Ridge Road by Kodak is hurting. Not just Kodak, but it is part of it.

Susie

October 30th, 2006, 09:45 PM

If you’re driving through St. Louis, lock your car door. If you’re driving through Greece, breathe easy..
It should read if you are in Rochester lock your car door. Rochester is in the bottom 10% for safety just like St Louis and is a far more likely place for D&C readers to drive in.

Suzanne, your hypothesis/heresay is never believable, without proof. You would find anyway you could to make something negative, misery loves company. Is Hamlin even part of Monroe County? If it is, it should be annexed as the Appalachia of Monroe County, its own depressed state. Lonsberry is a racist hick from somewhere south of Rochester, you two are in good company. Who takes him seriously?.
Apparently Maggie does because she was a guest on his show for over an hour. And in response to a direct question from him clearly stated that the average property tax bill would indeed rise next year for Monroe County residents. You do not have to believe me just call her office. Be sure to ask for the tax bill and NOT the Tax Rate.

There are a myriad of reasons why West Ridge Road by Kodak is hurting. Not just Kodak, but it is part of it.

I could not agree with you more. The problems in Rochester are far more deep than just the continual Kodak layoffs. There are a whole host of other enterprises shutting down, downsizing or moving out as well

bdaly

October 30th, 2006, 10:20 PM

Also, the construction since 2004on West Ridge Rd has closed many businesses and that construction will continue until 2008.
That was the real killer. I drive by there quite a bit, and there was a significant period of time where there was no sidestreet parking for the aforementioned businesses. In the case of the car dealer, you had to go over gravel and the like to get in. With that said, the West Ridge Plaza that was recently updated is pretty much full (with Abbott's and Bathtub Billy's), while they added a small new plaza (to my surprise) and they've already added a few tenants. So perhaps it is the quality of the space along and convenient parking that's a good part of the equation. But, needless to say, anyone that's catering solely to the lunch crowd there has taken a hit.

RochesterAddict

October 30th, 2006, 10:37 PM

http://cmsimg.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A2&Date=20061030&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=610310308&Ref=AR&Profile=1003&MaxW=550&MaxH=430
This rendering gives a look at development plans for the Rochester port area. The large building to the left of the grassy open area in the drawing is the current ferry terminal.

http://cmsimg.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A2&Date=20061030&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=610310308&Ref=V1&Profile=1003&MaxW=550&MaxH=430
This drawing shows the proposed layout of the Rochester port area. The current ferry terminal is the large building along the lakefront and to the left of the harbor entrance.

Revised Port of Rochester plan unveiled tonight
Democrat and Chronicle

Plans for major development of the Port of Rochester are expected to be unveiled to the public at 7 p.m. tonight at the Roger Robach Community Center at Lake Ontario Park.
The project — which could be completed in phases over the next 10 years — includes a 100-slip marina between the existing ferry terminal building and the historic carousel, as well as numerous businesses apartments and townhouses.

"We are creating a place where people are going to come and love," said Varoujan Hagopian, a principle of Sasaki Associates. "It's going to be a nice place for everybody."

The price for the project varies between $126 million and $180 million depending on the number of housing units built. About $34 million would be public cost to build infrastructure. Some of that could be funded through grants, but the remainder would be paid by private investors, said Julio Vazquez, the city's commissioner of community development.

This latest proposal was developed with input from the community, including residents near the project who had objected to a multi-story parking garage which would restrict the view of the lake.

The current proposal calls for 970 parking spaces, which is fewer than the 1,200 currently available. Additional parking would be reserved for residents living in the new project.

It has not been determined whether the parking would be a revenue source for the city to help pay for the project, or remain free as it is now.

The property, just south of the existing park pavilion and carousel, would be rebuilt, including commercial buildings along the east side of Lake Avenue. The new ferry terminal building will remain, with hopes a smaller ferry could resume service to Toronto someday.

The project will need state environmental impact approval which could take 60 to 90 days. The public would get to discuss their concerns at a public hearing before that approval takes place. Then City Council would need to approve the project before further action begins.

Vazquez said he didn't expect the project would begin for another two years.

Copies of the proposal are expected to be available at City Hall and area libraries.

Look Susan that company you harped about closing, in "Me Dinner" or whatever the town is called, is now staying:

BernzOmatic's Medina plant to remain open
Rochester Business Journal

BernzOmatic has decided to keep its plant in Medina open after it announced last year it would move those operations to China, company officials said Monday. The move saves 213 area jobs and is expected to create 32 more positions over the next three years.
Irwin Industrial Tool Co., BernzOmatic’s parent company, will invest more than $1 million on building renovations and machinery purchases. The company also is eligible for up to $625,000 in grants for its local operation.
In May, Irwin Industrial Tool said it would close most of the Orleans County operations by the end of 2007 and move them to Shanghai, China.
Rep. Thomas Reynolds, R-Clarence, said the company decided to invest in its Medina site because of the local work force and potential for growth.

BuffCity

October 31st, 2006, 04:38 AM

nice renderings.

I have some treats for the Rochester forumers.

:)

blangjr21

October 31st, 2006, 07:18 AM

Part of a book digitizing machine.
Kirtas Technology To Add 100 Jobs
by Rich Turner
Published Oct 30, 2006

More than 100 high-tech jobs are coming to an Ontario County company.

Kirtas Technology plans to invest $1 million to upgrade its Victor facility. The project is expected to create 142 new jobs, and keep an existing 18, over the next three years.

Kirtas designs and sells book-digitizing machines and services.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

BernzOmatic, 213 jobs staying in Medina

Staff report

(October 30, 2006) — Gov. George Pataki announced today that Irwin Industrial Tool Co., parent of handheld torch manufacturer BernzOmatic in Medina, has reversed its decision to close the Orleans County facility. Instead, the company will invest more than $1 million on building renovations and machinery purchases.

Pataki said the project will retain 213 jobs and lead to the creation of 32 jobs over three years.

veryprotourism

October 31st, 2006, 02:09 PM

the renderings for the port project look fantastic.
look, it even lines up with the existing charlotte street grid!!!
from what i hear most of that public parking will go underground.

more of this please.
this is what we should be doing downtown as well, building mixed use neighborhoods that will eventually create revenue. hmmmm 130 - 180 million to create a dense, multiuse, taxpaying NEIGHBORHOOD, 230 million dollars to hand a premium peice of downtown real estate to 3 not for profit entities?

yes, im gonna harp on this rencenter thing, the project is a joke.

bdaly

October 31st, 2006, 04:17 PM

more of this please.
this is what we should be doing downtown as well, building mixed use neighborhoods that will eventually create revenue. hmmmm 130 - 180 million to create a dense, multiuse, taxpaying NEIGHBORHOOD, 230 million dollars to hand a premium peice of downtown real estate to 3 not for profit entities?

In the case of Ren Square, I don't think the city has to (nor should it) drive retail and living. The private sector will take care of that in my opinion. If you give people enough reason to live downtown, the private section will jump in and fulfill the demand. A number of living projects so far have been successful based on the increased downtown activity, and if Main Street becomes a little more appealing, I don't doubt they'll benefit too. Right now, that portion of Main Street isn't going to attract anything in its current state.

veryprotourism

October 31st, 2006, 04:45 PM

In the case of Ren Square, I don't think the city has to (nor should it) drive retail and living. The private sector will take care of that in my opinion. If you give people enough reason to live downtown, the private section will jump in and fulfill the demand. A number of living projects so far have been successful based on the increased downtown activity, and if Main Street becomes a little more appealing, I don't doubt they'll benefit too. Right now, that portion of Main Street isn't going to attract anything in its current state.

you aren't presenting any argument i haven't heard, i just don't agree with you.
mixed use projects need to include residential or be near to residential to be successful. the intersection of main and clinton is created by four blocks that contain zero residences. after rensquare they will still contain zero residences.

i just don't believe rensquare will add any additional patrons to downtown and its amenities, it will only redistribute the few that are already there.

whatever, rensquare will happen, just like the ferry(which if i remember correctly had alot of public support until it actually started running and people realized IT was a joke). a few years after rensquare is all said and done people will be cursing the thing and acting as if they had been opposed to it all along and somehow got screwed into it. a few years after that it will be midtown plaza with a nice bus terminal and alot less nostalgia. enjoy folks.

blangjr21

October 31st, 2006, 04:56 PM

Henrietta's fun factor grows with its economy

Upsurge in business development gives town an 'amazing' boost

Marketta Gregory and Ernst Lamothe Jr.
Staff writers

(October 31, 2006) — Call it a resurgence or a miniature economic boom for Henrietta.

Whatever the term, new businesses are opening at a rate of two or three a week along West Henrietta and Jefferson roads — and that's not including the new tenants in the industrial areas.

"I don't remember it ever being better than it is right now," said Jim Breese, who has served as town supervisor for 21 years. "It's all coming together in an amazing way."

But the secret to success isn't that hard to figure out.

When a business needs retail or industrial space, "Henrietta has those ready-made sites," said Maggie Brooks, the Monroe County executive. Plus, portions of the town are in the county's Empire Zone, which offers tax breaks to businesses.

Location, location, location

And don't forget "location, location, location," Brooks said. The town is near all the major thoroughfares and the airport. When Applebee's Grill & Bar thought of expanding to its new location at 3360 West Henrietta Road, officials knew the restaurant would easily draw guests from Brighton and other nearby suburbs, said spokeswoman Emily Koenigsberg.

The restaurant opens Monday and has drawn staff from other parts of the county.

Jennifer Derrenbacher of Pittsford spent Monday at the new Applebee's for bartender training, and she plans on being around the area even on her off days.

"I'm in Henrietta all the time," Derrenbacher said. "If you come here to eat on a Friday or Saturday night, you know you're going to have to wait an hour. That's why it's wonderful to see so many new restaurants and so many more options. It's great for the people here and great for business."

That's what Applebee's and the other companies are banking on.

"It's an up-and-coming community, as you can see by all the businesses popping up," Koenigsberg said from her Williamsville office.

Companies have reason to be more confident about the economy, said Judy Seil, acting director of planning and development for Monroe County.

The county often works with manufacturers and other industrial businesses to offer incentives and packages — such as sales, property and mortgage tax savings — through the County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency, or COMIDA. Some of those companies, like Hammer Packaging, MWI and CooperVision, are in Henrietta.

"In the last two years and nine months, we've seen 340 economic development projects that have invested over $900 million in the (county)," Seil said.

"Help wanted" signs that come close to the size of billboards dot Jefferson Road, where A.C. Moore Arts and Crafts, Bed Bath & Beyond, Marshall's, The Christmas Tree Shops and Red Robin Gourmet Burgers are opening.

A.C. Moore had no trouble hiring 75 people before it opened Sept. 16, said Bob McCloat, general manager. And business has been fantastic.

"We had a tremendous amount of people who knew what A.C. Moore was and couldn't wait for us to open."

More choices, more noise

Chris Pizzingrilli envisions the day when she can shop at all the stores in what is now called the Henrietta Market Square.

"I'm going to start shopping here because they have more things I want than Eastview Mall," said Pizzingrilli, as she walked out of Marshall's Monday afternoon. The Fairport resident said she's more willing to drive the 25 minutes to Henrietta than the 10-minute trip to Victor for the more diverse selections at her neighbors to the west.

While the convenience of the town's booming shopping district is only 10 minutes away from Ayesha Husain's Henrietta home, she's a little uneasy about the growth.

"Growing up in Rochester, I was used to seeing so much more woodland and open space, but that's almost gone, especially in Henrietta," said Husain, 22.

Also, increasing her credit card bill is not her first priority.

"Plus, I'm living back home with my parents so I'm more focused on paying back college loans than shopping," she added.

Growth benefits tax rate

But all the development helps keep the taxes down on the home she's living in and pays for parks and snowplowing.

If the proposed 2007 town budget passes, the tax rate for Henrietta residents would remain at $1.21 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Henrietta residents do have special districts that add more to their tax bills, but, "Things are good in Henrietta," Breese said.

Even the 50,000-square-feet former Chase Pitkin store has a new tenant, Breese said. The Ashley Furniture HomeStore is expected to open in November at the 650 Hylan Drive site.

"There are very few vacancies in terms of space," he said, and companies continue to talk about moving in to Henrietta.

"I don't see an end to it."

bdaly

October 31st, 2006, 05:29 PM

whatever, rensquare will happen, just like the ferry(which if i remember correctly had alot of public support until it actually started running and people realized IT was a joke). a few years after rensquare is all said and done people will be cursing the thing and acting as if they had been opposed to it all along and somehow got screwed into it. a few years after that it will be midtown plaza with a nice bus terminal and alot less nostalgia. enjoy folks.
You said that it's shifting people. So, it seems safe to say they will be "shifted" from the outdated Auditorium Theatre to downtown. So, there is a proven demand. There's also a proven demand for a bus terminal and a community college. So, the idea that it will be "Midtown Plaza," or not well utilized is a false fear. Is it possible it won't be utilized as much as some hope--that being more than the current theatre? Perhaps. But, the facility can't sail away, and there's a proven need. So throwing a ship in that can sail away as a comparison is apples to oranges. Ultimately, we can agree to disagree. I think it'll fuel residential redevelopment in underutilized buildings and you don't.

I'm more concerned about Charlotte; we'll see how quickly investors jump in. What about that project will make someone want to live there? Charlotte is great for three months or so, but it doesn't address making it more viable yearround. A small amount of office space isn't going to do the trick. Charlotte is a tough enough sell because it's not convenient to much of the population (commuting to Victor or Henrietta is a bit of a hike). Hopefully the Brockport State aquarium project will move forward as that'll be one 12 month draw. I hope it works out though.

Finally, since the ferry is thrown around, I'd like to point out the strong utilization of PAETEC Park this month. It hosted eleven high school football and soccer events (23 games) bringing many people in the city who would have otherwise stayed in suburbia. On November 17th-18th PAETEC Park will host five State Football games which will fill downtown hotels and restaurants with guests. It's not a bad early payoff from the project. Those state games wouldn't have been held here without PTP.

donbuy

October 31st, 2006, 05:43 PM

According to data released this month by the FW Dodge division of McGraw Hill, 2006 appears to be a good year for upstate New York construction activity

2 County Buffalo area – September 2006 total new contracts $143.1 million up from $81 million in 2005. YTD total new contract $1.04 BILLION up from $718 million in 2005. For the month Commercial activity was up 64% and Residential activity was UP 64%. YTD total activity is up 45%.

5 County Rochester area – September 2006 total new contracts $139.2 million up from $89.4 million in 2005. YTD total new contract $894 million up from $712.4 million in 2005. For the month Commercial activity was UP 200% and Residential activity was DOWN 28%. YTD total activity is up 25%

veryprotourism

October 31st, 2006, 06:02 PM

Ultimately, we can agree to disagree.

fair enough.

RochesterAddict

October 31st, 2006, 06:29 PM

http://my-expressions.com/up_media/4051/pblog/5159/1162268791.jpg

New in Henrietta

A sampling of new businesses in town:

Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar, 3360 West Henrietta Road. Opens: Monday.

Ashley Furniture HomeStore, 650 Hylan Drive. Opens: November.

A.C. Moore Arts and Crafts, Marketplace Square, 720 Jefferson Road. Open.

Bed, Bath & Beyond, Marketplace Square. Opening this week.

Marshall's, Marketplace Square. Open.

Carrabba's Italian Grill, 3340 West Henrietta Road. Open.

By the numbers
Henrietta has seen the number of commercial structures rise steadily in the past four years, and that trend is expected to continue in 2006.
According to the town:

The number of permits for new commercial/industrial structures went from 12 in 2002 to 20 in 2005. As of September, 17 permits had been issued for new structures in 2006.

Permits for renovations and additions to commercial/industrial structures jumped from 111 in 2002 to 132 in 2003. In 2004 and 2005, that number held steady at 127, but 2006 may see another increase. By September, 123 permits had already been issued

Panera Bread opens in Gates
Democrat and Chronicle

Panera Bread has opened its newest bakery-cafe at 1501 Howard Road in Gates. This is the fifth Panera Bread in the Rochester area, and it’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

I recommend those new crispani pizzas they offer, they are good.

Susie

October 31st, 2006, 09:24 PM

More Xerox layoffs this week in ongoing cuts

Joy Davia
Staff Writer

October 31, 2006 11:55 am — Xerox Corp. this week laid off workers here and worldwide as part of the company's ongoing restructuring. Officials would not release numbers or say what types of jobs were cut.
"But these are not large layoff issues," said Bill McKee, spokesman. "We're doing restructuring and continuing to fine-tune our work force to make the company more efficient."

The third-quarter earnings report released by Xerox last week showed that the area's fourth-largest employer continued to cut jobs. Employment in Monroe County was 8,070 during the third quarter, down 260 workers from the same period last year. Worldwide employment was 54,900, down 1,400.

Xerox, in its earnings announcement, also said it was boosting a previously announced restructuring from $175 million to $200 million. Chief Financial Officer Lawrence Zimmerman said last week that it was too early to tell what impact the restructuring would have on Rochester-area jobs.

JDAVIA@DemocratandChronicle.com

ROCguy

October 31st, 2006, 10:03 PM

The plan for the port area looks phenominal. They really need to go forward with that.

RochesterAddict

October 31st, 2006, 11:25 PM

Protourism...where are you located? Where in upstate do you live, Orange County or closer to the Finger Lakes?

CiceroClark

October 31st, 2006, 11:53 PM

BuffCity

November 1st, 2006, 06:57 AM

I think you would be suprised by the number of people here who take interest in Syracuse Clark.

start one and see if jman will sticky it.

veryprotourism

November 1st, 2006, 04:23 PM

Protourism...where are you located? Where in upstate do you live, Orange County or closer to the Finger Lakes?

orange county? i'm confused, was that supposed to be a put down?

i live off of mt. read blvd., so yeah, a little closer to the finger lakes, even closer to the great lakes.

RochesterAddict

November 1st, 2006, 06:11 PM

orange county? i'm confused, was that supposed to be a put down?

i live off of mt. read blvd., so yeah, a little closer to the finger lakes, even closer to the great lakes.

Yikes, less panty bunching please.

Just curious, your location says upstate. Upstate begins at Orange county, and stretches from Buffalo to the North Country, just wanted to know where you were located, to get an idea of where your perspective comes from.

Clark, start a Syr thread. You cant be afraid of bashing, it will come, Im sure you have negative depressed people like Susan in Syr with nothing else to do than dwell on their own and their cities short comings. You take the good with the bad, every opinion is different. Remember, opinions = assholes, everyones got one.

RochesterAddict

November 1st, 2006, 06:18 PM

Funds will Aid South Clinton Area
RNEWS 9

Some more financial help to improve a southeast Rochester neighborhood.

The South Clinton Avenue Improvement Project is getting $750,000 dollars in state money. The money will help beautify the neighborhood by making improvements to sidewalks, streets and lighting.

The Evolving South Clinton Avenue Places and Environment Committee, or "ESCAPE," hopes the money will also draw more businesses to the area.

"I think we're in the process of rebirth; I think that this is just the momentum that started in other areas, that's just going to move through the entire southeast," said ESCAPE's Executive Director Helen Hogan.

ESCAPE says the money will also pay for new medians and bicycle parking loops

Bob Wegman's legacy of giving continues at St. John Fisher
WHEC 10

St. John Fisher College is one year away from opening the doors to its new Wegmans School of Nursing. College and community leaders joined the Wegman family Tuesday morning as they broke ground and laid the first bricks for the project. The late Robert Wegman donated $8 million dollars for the new building. The 38-thousand square foot facility will include classrooms, laboratories, offices and a wellness center.

Danny Wegman says his father wanted to see Rochester once again become a leader in healthcare. “At Wegmans, we believe the way that you do that is through good people who are well trained and that's why I think my dad and Peggy were so anxious to support the nursing school.”

The Wegmans School of Pharmacy was dedicated last month at St. John Fisher College.

http://cmsimg.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A2&Date=20061101&Category=LIVING&ArtNo=611010324&Ref=AR&MaxW=275&MaxH=225&Q=96
New book shows off local VIP homes
Democrat and Chronicle

You can get a look inside the homes of TV news anchor Don Alhart, car guru John Holtz and restaurateur Mario Daniele in a new coffee table book Great Homes of Rochester and the Finger Lakes, due out Monday.
Proceeds from the sale of this 100-page, $30 book will go to ESL Charitable Foundation, the Realtors' Charitable Foundation, the Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection and EnCompass: Resources for Learning

The book follows on the heels of Great Homes of Rochester, which raised $50,000 for charity four years ago.

"Since that first one that we published in 2002, I have had so many people call and say 'When are you going to do another one? You can put my home in it if you like,'" said Lauren Dixon, CEO of Dixon Schwabl Advertising. The Victor-based agency also published this latest book.

"It's one of those things where we did it right when we did it the last time," continued Dixon "and there was such a buzz and an interest."

Great Homes of Rochester and the Finger Lakes will be available at the Barnes & Noble and Borders book shops, Lisa's Hallmarks, Artisan Works, Craft Company No. 6, Heron Hill Winery, the New York Wine & Culinary Center, the South Bristol Cultural Center and Vitoch Interiors.

The book will also be available at the information centers of Eastview Mall, The Marketplace mall and The Mall at Greece Ridge.

This book is awesome, gives you a look inside the homes of Rochesterians that help make Rochester great. Plus it benefits a good cause.

veryprotourism

November 1st, 2006, 06:20 PM

no panty bunching, i'll let you guys know when they're bunched.(like the public transit thing)

ok, so i'm originally from the buffalo area, where most of my family resides. this is my second time living in rochester, a year and a half this time, about 7 years total.

veryprotourism

November 1st, 2006, 06:22 PM

opinions = assholes :)

kind of like farts too. some are quiet, some are loud, but most still stink like shit.

RochesterAddict

November 1st, 2006, 09:41 PM

http://www.buckprop.com/Portals/0/images/Genesee1.jpg
Current doctors offices, "South Campus."
http://www.buckprop.com/Portals/0/images/Genesee2.jpg
The former hospital.
http://www.buckprop.com/Portals/0/Images/development%20site%20web%20announcement.jpg

Buckingham Properties Completes Genesee Hospital Purchase
Related Buildings to Remain Intact, Hospital to Come Down

Buckingham Properties has purchased the former Genesee Hospital and surrounding campus from the GRHS Foundation, Inc., the real estate affiliate of ViaHealth. The surrounding campus includes two high-rise medical office buildings, a single-story former birthing center, a 1,700 car ramp garage and a restaurant/nightclub.

Buckingham Properties CEO Larry Glazer said, "We're elated to be able to work this deal for the mutual benefit of ViaHealth, Buckingham Properties and, ultimately, the people of Rochester."

"There are a plethora of ideas coming from all directions, besides those we have kicked around in the office," said Glazer. "We plan to engage both the community at-large and local officials, in a variety of manners, to determine the highest and best use of the site. Nothing is off the table at this time."

The hospital closed in 2001 and subsequently went through a long receivership process. The completion of this process in late 2005 brought all the structures under the control of one owner, clearing the way for a sale.

The deal includes ViaHealth leasing-back a minimum of 100,000 square feet of space in the newly anointed "South Campus" for medical and health-services currently operating in the structures.

The initial stages of the redevelopment project will provide needed esthetic updates to the office buildings and ramp garage. This phase also includes the relocation of utilities out of the former hospital into the South Campus structures, and the demolition of the former hospital structure to allow for future development.

Dan Goldstein, Buckingham's Chief Financial Officer and, in large-part, architect of "the deal," said he envisions "a mixture of retail, office and housing, but the overall makeup could vary from an 'urban village' concept to mid-rise apartments with ground-level, drive-up retail."

Goldstein said the campus comprises approximately 15 acres, half being the "South Campus," made up of the buildings that will remain standing; the other half is the former hospital. "It's quite a large area to work with in terms of redevelopment possibilities, especially with the location being so close to the multicultural center of the city with Park Ave., East Ave. and Monroe Ave., as well as downtown, all being just steps away."

Buckingham took possession of the property August 3, 2006.

I am unsure what the numbers in the pic mean? But from what I understand, Ramp Garage, 224 and 222 will stay. 220 will go? The blue future development site is currently houses? Does that mean they want to buy them and knock them all down? Doesnt seem possible. The red future development site is just parking lots and a restaurant called the Raj Mahal, an indian restaurant they said they will definitely knock down.
Find more here: http://www.buckprop.com/Announcements.aspx

Ground broken for Hospice Center on Unity campus
Democrat and Chronicle

Officials from Unity Hospital and Lifetime Care broke ground today for a 9,600-square-foot hospice center slated to open next year at the Unity Park Ridge Campus in Greece.
Lifetime Care President Pat Heffernan unveiled plans for the new one-story inpatient care facility at a news conference this morning on the campus, and launched the public phase to raise $1.5 million to build the Elizabeth G. and Jennifer J. Hildebrandt Hospice Care Center.

Nearly $1.2 million has been raised to support the project, said Lifetime Care spokesman Bill Northwood.

Unity Health System Chief Executive Officer Tim McCormick said the center "will clearly expand health care services in the western part of Monroe County." He said it showed Unity's commitment to provide health care services to patients in the community, including end-of-life care.

"Demand for hospice care continues to increase locally as well as nationally," Heffernan adding that hospices throughout the country served about 1 million patients and their families each year.

The hospice center, which was initially located at the Genesee Hospital in Rochester for two years before the hospital closed in 2001, was named in memory of Tom Hildebrandt's wife Jennifer and mother Elizabeth, both of whom died of cancer in the late 90s.

"It was incredible to see the quality of care at the end of life at the center," Hildebrandt said. "It was such a loss to see this dedicated resource go away."

Since 1989, Unity Health System has offered inpatient hospice care at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester. Since the Hildebrandt center closed at Genesee Hospital, hospice care often had a waiting list, Northwood said.

To know that the center will be reestablished on another hospital campus is ideal, Hildebrandt said.

Once completed, the center will include 11-beds and a large family room with a dining and kitchen area on the south part of the hospital campus, off of Ridgeway Avenue.

Boardwalk stretch of Riverway Trail opens
Democrat and Chronicle

City officials this morning officially opened a stretch of the Genesee Riverway Trail, an urban trail that one day will connect Genesee Valley Park with Ontario Beach Park.

The newest boardwalk section is the latest addition to 15 miles of trail that have been under construction since about 1980, according to city officials. Before then, plans called for putting oil tanks in the area, but concerned citizens, led by Charlotte resident Bill Davis, managed to convince leaders to change their minds.

"It's something my husband wanted for many, many years," said Lois Davis, 85, Bill's wife, who was on hand in her husband's stead. Since the oil tank controversy, she said, "he was, I guess, what you call 'hooked' on the river."

Bill Davis, 88, who is recovering from surgery, was among the many residents, city and state officials, and designers congratulated at the ribbon-cutting, which included speeches by a cadre of officials, including Mayor Robert Duffy and City Councilman Robert Stevenson.

This particular stretch of river, at Turning Point Park, figured into the childhood memories of several of the speakers. State Sen. Joe Robach recalled that it was a favored spot for the sort of activity best done out of the sight of concerned adults.

Stevenson remembered how he stumbled upon it as a young boy: His mother one day said, " 'Don't go near the river gorge because it's dangerous,' and guess what I discovered that afternoon?'"
"I've been in love with this river ever since," he said. "It's been my dream to see a path from one end to the other."

The Riverway Trail required some creativity to move forward, including the building of the boardwalk that stretches more than two-thirds of a mile over the river by Turning Point Park. The new link runs about 2 miles along the west bank of the Genesee River.

Over the years, about $5 million has been invested in the construction, a large portion of the cost for the Turning Point link, city officials said in a printed statement released today.
Duffy said "some may question the money spent" on the project, but added that it "adds to the quality of life."

"Just look at this landscape," he said, gesturing to the cattails bobbing in the wind and the glorious foliage lining the river banks.

The multiyear project was funded in part by state parks and environmental conservation grants and federal transportation funding.

In May, the trail received National Recreation Trail status from the National Park Service's Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program and the U.S. Forest Service.

blangjr21

November 1st, 2006, 10:28 PM

I actually think that anything without "future development site" or "development site" is staying. I believe the origional idea was to knock down the old hospital, but they may be keeping that structure as of now. Not sure though. Either way it is going to be an interesting little addition to the Monroe streetscape.

ManAboutTown

November 2nd, 2006, 03:55 PM

http://www.buckprop.com/Portals/0/Images/development%20site%20web%20announcement.jpg

I am unsure what the numbers in the pic mean? But from what I understand, Ramp Garage, 224 and 222 will stay. 220 will go? The blue future development site is currently houses? Does that mean they want to buy them and knock them all down? Doesnt seem possible. The red future development site is just parking lots and a restaurant called the Raj Mahal, an indian restaurant they said they will definitely knock down.
Find more here: http://www.buckprop.com/Announcements.aspx

I believe the numbers are for the respective building addresses on either Alexander St (220, 222, 224) or Monroe Ave (360). You're correct in that those structures will stay. 220 is currently home to some doctor's offices as well as office space for Preferred Care, whose HQ is just a stone's throw away at Monroe Square. The blue "Future Development Site" is where the older portion of the former Genesee Hospital is located. There are a few homes on the south side of Tracy St and the west side of Averill St that MAY be taken down as part of this redevelopment. As for the site of the oddly shaped Raj Mahal, the word on the street is that Buckingham is negotiating with Rite-Aid about locating at that corner. Sad but true, let's hope the city stays true to its Design Guidelines and does not allow typical suburban garbage design there.

RochesterAddict

November 2nd, 2006, 06:53 PM

M.A.T. I heard and posted in an old forum, a story by City newspaper that said that Rite Aid was going to knock down Show World and put a suburban like store and plaza there. But the actual city was upset that it was suburban looking so they told them to go back to the drawing board. Hopefully instead Rite Aid will fix up their old store on Monroe Ave, or it will sit empty probably for a while, and Walgreens will build on the Raj Mahal site. (An urban looking store.) Buffalo has Walgreens on Delaware Ave and on Main Street in the city of Buffalo, why not on Monroe Ave in Rochester? Monroe Ave is similar to Hertel Ave in Buffalo to me. A funky weird mix of all kinds of people. Then they should still knock down Show World and the dilapidated apartment building on the corner of Goodman/Monroe and build moderately priced condos, perfect location. Start a more upscale trend for the street.

http://cmsimg.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A2&Date=20061101&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=61101018&Ref=AR&Profile=1003&MaxW=550&MaxH=430

Landmark ‘Maplewood Arch’ goes up
Democrat and Chronicle

A new landmark – soon to be known as the Maplewood Arch – was erected in Rochester today.

Artist Dejan Pejovic, assistant Matt Gaffney and others involved with the Maplewood Neighborhood Association today looked on as three curved steel arches were lifted into place at Lake Avenue and W. Ridge Road.

The 36-foot-tall steel sculpture was conceived as part of former Rochester Mayor William A. Johnson Jr.’s sector target funding initiative, part of his “Rochester 2010” plan, said Bill Clicquennoi, neighborhood volunteer for the three-year project.

The red arch is meant to welcome people to the neighborhood and to show others that the Maplewood neighborhood is thriving, he said.

“It’s so elegant looking,” Clicquennoi said. “We hope it leaves a lasting impression and shows that we care about the community and the folks who live here.”

The project was funded by the Arts and Cultural Council of Rochester, individual and business donors, and received a $100,000 matching grant from the City of Rochester, he said.

Installation of the sculpture – including a bronze plaque – should be completed within a week, Clicquennoi said.

They have really worked wonders with this area recently. You should really take a drive to the Lake Ave/West Ridge Road intersection to check it out. The construction isnt done yet, but the area is a dramatic improvement over what used to be there. I have heard that Walgreens will take the place of the former Piehler dealership, but nothing is confirmed. After the oil tanker crash that happened there 2 years ago, they have really fixed up the homes hit by the truck as well. A nice improvement for the Maplewood community, hopefully the residents will follow suit by fixing up many of their homes.

High Falls Brewing brands new pub at airport
Democrat and Chronicle

There's now one more place for passengers to dine while waiting for departing flights at the Greater Rochester International Airport.

And the new pub boasts a well-known Rochester product.
High Falls Brewing Company's JW Dundee Pub & Alehouse officially opens today in Concourse B. Monroe County officials said the pub is JW Dundee's first branded establishment; the brand is locally produced by High Falls Brewing.

The pub has been serving customers for several days, prior to its Grand Opening, said Monroe County spokeswoman Krista Hamburg. The establishment can only be accessed by those with an airline ticket.

The airport's newest eatery is part of the airport's ongoing $20 million renovation project, which includes parts of Concourse A and the rotunda at its west end. The first phase, about $6 million, included the new business center. Airline fees, federal and state grants are funding the renovations.

Creative Host Services funded renovations of the bar — which totaled $450,000 — and will operate the new pub, Hamburg said.

Acting Airport Director David Damelio said he's pleased to see a second Rochester-based eatery open in the airport. A Red Osier kiosk operates in the airport's food court, and features the Irondequoit-based company's roast beef products, he said.

"We want more and more local flare and to showcase what Rochester and Monroe County have to offer," he said.

County officials and representatives from High Falls Brewing Co. and Creative Host Services will today hold a grand opening celebration at the pub at 2 p.m.

Very cool, now they should open a pub in the High Falls entertainment district as well.

Dutch Market on Park Avenue closes
Democrat and Chronicle

The Dutch Market at 257 Park Ave. has closed.

Owners William and Sophia French had kept the imported Dutch food shop and café going after their daughter and founder, Betty French, died last year. The couple had been trying for months to find a buyer who would carry on the business.
The shop had been a Park Avenue mainstay since 1993.

"We were hoping to find someone who could continue the Dutch Market because there has been a Dutch store in Rochester for about 60 years," said William French.

But that didn't happen. The store closed Tuesday.

The Frenches have found a buyer for the house, who will use the space for offices, he said.

For Dutch Market fans, all is not lost. Betty French's sister, Mary Anne French Wega of Pittsford will continue an online mail-order business of the market's products. Goods for sale include Dutch licorice, Delft pottery, kitchen tiles and Sinterklaas chocolate letters, which are a popular Dutch Christmas tradition.

The goods will be sold through www.dutchmarketusa.com.

Awww, the place was a dump, but the food was so good, it wil be missed.

ROCguy

November 2nd, 2006, 10:08 PM

ManAboutTown

November 2nd, 2006, 10:15 PM

I knew about the proposal to knock down ShowWorld (the potentially-beautiful Monroe Theater) and the neighboring apartment building for the Rite-Aid. Because the City was not having it (thank God), the Rite-Aid folks are supposedly talking to Buckingham now about the Raj site. Walgreens, CVS, Rite-Aid, whatever, if it has a suburban car-oriented out-of-scale design, it should not be built.

I'd prefer to see market rate apartments rise alongside a preserved Monroe Theater that could be home to a performing arts venue of some sort, whether for community theater or touring acts. For instance, there is no quality performance space for indie rock bands to play that is larger than the Bug Jar and smaller than Water Street. I agree though, that apartment building at Monroe & Goodman needs to go. It's a pox on the street.

On another note, for Susie and the others who think the Census Bureau is infallible, please read the following story from the Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/10/28/hub_population_rose_census_review_finds/

BuffCity

November 2nd, 2006, 10:22 PM

we prank called show world a few months ago...it was funny as shit.

ROCguy

November 2nd, 2006, 10:22 PM

That article is amazing.... 37000 is a HUGE difference. 32000 for DC is just as bad.

thestip

November 3rd, 2006, 12:16 AM

Addict, the Walgreens on Delaware is something you would not want to have in Rochester, they got away with building a typical suburban building on that corner, all they did was put up a low brick wall around the parking lot. It looks like crap. I wouldn't put too much faith in either Walgreens or Rite-Aid to build something decent. The City will have to fight them tooth and nail to to get them to build an urban building, but if the City basically tells them to build it a certain way or they won't be allowed to build it, then they will cave in. It worked in Columbus. The question is does Rochester have the balls to do it, because Buffalo sure hasn't yet.

blangjr21

November 3rd, 2006, 12:51 AM

Online job ads here hit new high

By VELVET SPICER
Rochester Business Journal
November 2, 2006
Rochester’s online help-wanted advertising last month reached its highest level since the Conference Board Inc. began surveying the data more than a year ago.
Some 10,900 online job ads, including 7,200 new ads, were posted in the area in October. That compares with revised data that shows 9,000 ads, including 5,900 new ads, were posted here in September and 6,800 total ads with 4,500 new ads a year ago. The Rochester region includes Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans and Wayne counties.
The Rochester area continues to trail all but one other metropolitan area—Honolulu, Hawaii—in terms of new ads posted, the Conference Board data shows.
Total online ads in the Rochester area represent 2.02 jobs per 100 people in the work force, up from 1.67 in September and 1.27 a year ago.
The Buffalo area’s new online job ads also rose last month to 9,300, compared with 8,600 in September and 7,500 a year ago. Total help-wanted ads in the Buffalo area reached 13,800 in October, up from 12,000 in September and 10,300 a year ago. The total online ads represent 2.33 ads per 100 people in the work force.
Nationally, some 2.5 million new online job ads were posted last month, up from 2.4 million in September and nearly 2 million in October 2005. A total of 3.8 million unduplicated ads were posted online nationally last month, compared with 3.6 million in September and 3 million a year ago.
The new ads represent 1.67 jobs per 100 people in the work force, up from 1.58 in September and 1.32 a year ago. Total online job ads increased in 44 states, the Conference Board reported, with the largest gains in Oklahoma, Maine, Texas and Minnesota. New York ranked third in terms of states with the most ads in October.
The help-wanted online data series measures the number of first-time online job ads, as well as total unduplicated online ads, in nine Census regions and 52 metropolitan areas. The Conference Board surveys online jobs posted on more than 1,200 major Internet job boards and job boards serving smaller geographic areas.

bdaly

November 3rd, 2006, 07:04 AM

Maplewood is a great neighborhood and would be even better if friggin Kodak Park wasn't right there. My Grandpa grew up on the edge of the Maplewood Nieghborhood on Glenwood Avenue. That area could really be like a Park Avenue area of NW Rochester if it weren't for KP probably.
In fairness, Kodak is what helped build that neighborhood. People lived and worked there, so it worked out well. Obviously, Maplewood took some lumps with Kodak and many houses have turned into rentals. But, I've always been impressed with the resiliency of that neighborbood. They've had a few issues, but they seem determined to overcome them thanks to an active community group. And, I've also been impressed that retail has remained fairly steady down Lake. I drove by the new Arch today and it looks great. While drug stores are a dime a doze, if it can level the old car dealership, it'll be a worthwhile addition.

bayviews

November 3rd, 2006, 08:57 AM

On another note, for Susie and the others who think the Census Bureau is infallible, please read the following story from the Boston Globe:

That's no surprise here to those of us who’ve followed the Boston Renaissance. The census has been notorious for undercounting big cities, particularly minorities and immigrants. NYC has demonstrated that it undercounted and I’m sure the same applies to Chicago.

Stiil, at least in 2000, I think Rochester went the extra mile to make sure that the census count was as complete as possible.

RochesterAddict

November 3rd, 2006, 06:19 PM

Business groups to share downtown office
Democrat and Chronicle

Two local economic development groups will start sharing office space, but aren't merging, leaders of the organizations said Thursday.

The Rochester Downtown Development Corp. will move into the headquarters of Greater Rochester Enterprise on the 19th floor of the HSBC building by the end of the year. The groups will maintain independent staffs, boards, leadership and funding, but hope to work more closely on several issues.

Those issues include: the redevelopment of Midtown Plaza and Sibley Centre; working with colleges and universities to increase their downtown presence; developing downtown's smart energy initiatives; and creating a national pilot for an urban shuttle system using alternative fuel vehicles.

"We're getting the synergy to work together when we need to," said Heidi Zimmer-Meyer, president of the downtown development group. A merger is "off the table" right now, she said.

The shuttle project is a good example of the potential collaboration, Zimmer-Meyer said. It would combine her group's interest in better linkages between area college campuses and downtown, and GRE's interest in making the region a hub for the alternative fuels industry.

The downtown development group traditionally has focused on center city issues, including pushing a study of reinventing downtown conducted by the Urban Land Institute. Since its inception, GRE has worked to promote the region as a whole, marketing the community's assets to the outside world.

Dennis Mullen, GRE's interim president and chief executive, said the arrangement will not only allow the organizations to make better pitches to business prospects but also show them that a spirit of cooperation exists in the region.

"We need to be judged by our actions," Mullen said, "and when we have a prospect in the office, this will show them that there are no walls here."

http://rochesterbiz.com/
http://rochesterdowntown.com/

This is wise, and hopefully good things come from it. I love the RDDC website, use it all the time. They just need to update it more often.

blangjr21

November 3rd, 2006, 07:25 PM

both of those websites need to be updated more often!

Susie

November 3rd, 2006, 08:00 PM

We're #2 - From the Bottom That Is

By VELVET SPICER
Rochester Business Journal
November 2, 2006
Rochester’s online help-wanted advertising last month reached its highest level since the Conference Board Inc. began surveying the data more than a year ago.
Some 10,900 online job ads, including 7,200 new ads, were posted in the area in October. That compares with revised data that shows 9,000 ads, including 5,900 new ads, were posted here in September and 6,800 total ads with 4,500 new ads a year ago. The Rochester region includes Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans and Wayne counties.
The Rochester area continues to trail all but one other metropolitan area—Honolulu, Hawaii—in terms of new ads posted, the Conference Board data shows.
Total online ads in the Rochester area represent 2.02 jobs per 100 people in the work force, up from 1.67 in September and 1.27 a year ago.
The Buffalo area’s new online job ads also rose last month to 9,300, compared with 8,600 in September and 7,500 a year ago. Total help-wanted ads in the Buffalo area reached 13,800 in October, up from 12,000 in September and 10,300 a year ago. The total online ads represent 2.33 ads per 100 people in the work force.
Nationally, some 2.5 million new online job ads were posted last month, up from 2.4 million in September and nearly 2 million in October 2005. A total of 3.8 million unduplicated ads were posted online nationally last month, compared with 3.6 million in September and 3 million a year ago.
The new ads represent 1.67 jobs per 100 people in the work force, up from 1.58 in September and 1.32 a year ago. Total online job ads increased in 44 states, the Conference Board reported, with the largest gains in Oklahoma, Maine, Texas and Minnesota. New York ranked third in terms of states with the most ads in October.
The help-wanted online data series measures the number of first-time online job ads, as well as total unduplicated online ads, in nine Census regions and 52 metropolitan areas. The Conference Board surveys online jobs posted on more than 1,200 major Internet job boards and job boards serving smaller geographic areas.

(c) 2006 Rochester Business Journal. Obtain permission to
reprint this article.

RochesterAddict

November 3rd, 2006, 08:19 PM

Online job ads here hit new high

By VELVET SPICER
Rochester Business Journal
November 2, 2006
Rochester’s online help-wanted advertising last month reached its highest level since the Conference Board Inc. began surveying the data more than a year ago.

Talk about glass half empty vs glass half full. Actually this may be East side vs West side?

ManAboutTown

November 3rd, 2006, 09:05 PM

Hey Susie, why no mention of the 380 jobs lost at the former Motorola plant in suburban Buffalo? Is this further proof of Buffalo's economic superiority over Rochester?

http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20061103/1008391.asp

BuffCity

November 5th, 2006, 05:53 AM

well it is superior...so no need to mention. :)

bayviews

November 6th, 2006, 02:22 AM

well it is superior...so no need to mention. :)

Not so. Metro Buffalo's lost fewer jobs than Rochester since 2000. But both metros have lost employment & Buffalo continues to suffer from higher rates of population loss. Rochester added a lot more jobs than Buffalo during the 1990s boom & has out-performed Buffalo over the long haul.

BuffCity

November 6th, 2006, 06:11 AM

yea thats great...

Thats why Rochester is going to be surpassed by Yonkers for the #3 city position population wise, Rochesters metro sprawls into PA and the metro claims 5 counties...it wasted over 100 million on a ship to Toronto that was broke and beyond repair before getting here from Australia.

Job wise ROC is nothing wonderful...while Buffalo isnt a boomtown either...I think the smart thing to do here is to consider the outlook at this point, the roots of the city and how we are seeing changes from that point.

Buffalo understands it wont be the HUGE manufacturing center of the state again...Rochester has yet to figure out its not the image center of the world now.

Buffalo is on the rebound, Rochester might not like it...but I'm sure Buffalo wasn't happy it fell faster than ROC did years ago.

:)

sargeantcm

November 6th, 2006, 03:48 PM

Bayviews never has anything positive to say about Buffalo, and apparently only favors Rochester in this case because it's being pitted against Buffalo.

Otherwise, the only thing going for Rochester in his books is that it has the most diverse collection of indigenous central Antarctican immigrants in Upstate, or something like that.

I think the root of his (assumed gender) negativity is that he's taken aback that we (we being WNYers) would choose to live and remain in the abject, immigrant-free squalor that is WNY. We don't see the writing on the wall. We're supposed to move to a plastic house in suburban NC or AZ (thus providing more jobs for Mexicans), yet we don't. And that really befuddles him. Therefore, he takes out his anger by logging onto www.skyscrapercity.com and laughing at either of our cities; e.g. sarcastically calling Buffalo's "pierogi title" a "Grand Victory" (implied: Eastern Europeans don't count) when nobody else has commented about it; things of that nature.

It really is quite humorous when all is said and done, really.

Susie

November 6th, 2006, 03:56 PM

Hey Susie, why no mention of the 380 jobs lost at the former Motorola plant in suburban Buffalo? Is this further proof of Buffalo's economic superiority over Rochester?

Because I do not care about Buffalo i care about Rochester you doofus! How come you did not post this Rochester story?

Unease over jobs jars area outlook

(November 4, 2006) — The national unemployment rate is low, corporate profits are high and the stock market has been doing quite nicely, as your recent 401(k) statement shows.

So why are many people still uneasy about the economy?

Economists cited several reasons Friday, mostly related to concerns that not enough jobs are being created and that too many jobs don't pay well.

Rochester-area residents are familiar with these concerns. The region's jobless rate for September, the latest data available, was 4.3 percent — a tick lower than October's national rate of 4.4 percent — yet almost 4,000 fewer people were employed here compared with the same time last year.

And as the regional economy continues a transition from manufacturing to services, job quality is an issue, too. There are fewer manufacturing positions paying $25 to $30 an hour and more retail and service jobs paying $10 to $15 an hour.

Despite the concerns, M&T Bank regional economist Gary Keith said he believes the economy is "performing pretty solidly, not spectacularly, but solidly."

But he cautioned against reading too much into the unemployment rate, saying it isn't the best gauge. The jobless-rate calculations don't include unemployed people who have stopped looking for work because they can't find jobs to match their skills.

Susie

November 6th, 2006, 04:00 PM

Hey Susie, why no mention of the 380 jobs lost at the former Motorola plant in suburban Buffalo? Is this further proof of Buffalo's economic superiority over Rochester?

I forgot to post these too:

Ontario Golf Club shuts downOntario Golf Club, founded in 1928 by residents who decided the Wayne County town needed its own course, was shuttered Tuesday because of financial problems. “It’s going to be sold,” Ontario’s head golf professional, Jim Hungerford, said.

Pro-Fac grapples with its future
The farm cooperative that relies on Birds Eye Foods Inc. for most of its business faces an uncertain future. Pro-Fac Cooperative Inc. officials believe the organization can operate through 2010 by cutting dividends and stretching out a final payment from Birds Eye next year.

Susie

November 6th, 2006, 04:04 PM

Hey Susie, why no mention of the 380 jobs lost at the former Motorola plant in suburban Buffalo? Is this further proof of Buffalo's economic superiority over Rochester?

I think the only further proof I need of Buffalo's current economic superiority over Rochester are the construction figures which show thier activity for TWO counties at more than ONE BILLION DOLLARS for the first nine months of the year compared to our FIVE counties coming in with hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars LESS for the same time period.

ManAboutTown

November 6th, 2006, 05:03 PM

Wow, Professor Susie, you really proved me wrong! Look, until certain numbskulls quit trying to say that Buffalo is better off than Rochester, I'll continue to prove that we are BOTH in very bad shape. Speaking of which, the City of Buffalo just endured its 66th homicide of the year; Rochester doesn't even have 40. But I suppose skyrocketing violent crime is a sign of economic growth. Greatbatch just laid off a few dozen folks in the B-Lo too. But yeah, very good pierogies out that way.

Susie

November 6th, 2006, 05:38 PM

But I suppose skyrocketing violent crime is a sign of economic growth.

If that was the case then Rochester would be booming too! Yet we are the only metro out of 376 that has not had even one month of year over year job growth since 911. But our crime rate is 334 out of 371 - so I don't think we can talk about anyone elses crime when we are so near the bottom ourselves.

Rochester 37th Most Violent City in Nation - Out of 371

If you’re driving through Rochester, lock your car door. If you’re driving through Greece, breathe easy.

The Rochester suburb is the ninth safest community in the nation, according to the latest annual rankings of the safest and most dangerous American cities as compiled by Morgan Quitno Press.

A private research and publishing company specializing in state and city reference books, it ranked cities based on their crime rates and on a weighted scale, based on the crime’s level of danger.

A surge in violence in St. Louis has made it the most dangerous city in the nation, beating out Detroit for the distinction.

Amherst, Erie County, was second safest in the nation out of 371 ranked municipalities, and the safest of all communities with more than 100,000 residents. Rochester came in 334th.

Susie

November 6th, 2006, 05:42 PM

Lack of buyer forces closure of Dutch Market

Karen Miltner
Staff writer

(November 3, 2006) — The Dutch Market at 257 Park Ave. has closed.

Owners William and Sophia French had kept the imported Dutch food shop and café going after their daughter and founder, Betty French, died last year. The couple had been trying for months to find a buyer who would carry on the business.
The shop had been a Park Avenue mainstay since 1993.

"We were hoping to find someone who could continue the Dutch Market because there has been a Dutch store in Rochester for about 60 years," said William French.
The store closed Tuesday.

The Frenches have found a buyer for the house who will use the space for offices, he said.

For Dutch Market fans, Betty French's sister, Mary Anne French Wega of Pittsford, will continue an online business of the market's products.
Goods for sale include Dutch licorice, Delft pottery, kitchen tiles and Sinterklaas chocolate letters, which are a popular Dutch Christmas tradition. The goods will be sold through www.dutchmarketusa.com

ManAboutTown

November 6th, 2006, 06:07 PM

Suze, you have got to be the most ignorant person on these web boards. You create your own headlines and change words in quoted news stories. You bold that Amherst is safe but do not show where Buffalo ended up. Greece is safe too, but who gives a shit about Greece or Amherst? They're suburbs, not cities, of course they're going to be safe. If you want to look at it that way, why don't we compare the crime rates of the MSAs?

As for your idiocy re: the Dutch Market, you're really clutching at straws there. Do you think there are many people around with the knowledge of how to run a store that sells imported specialty Dutch foods and crafts? The building that housed the store was sold and is being converted into offices. No one was laid off. You make it sound like the building will sit idle and rotting away, like all of the abandoned trailers in your mobile home park. My lord what a see-you-next-Tuesday.

veryprotourism

November 6th, 2006, 06:19 PM

wow, we are really beating this dead horse again?
the buffalo vs. rochester thing is tired. take it from me, from a day to day basis, life in either is pretty darn similar.
most of my buffalo friends have always maintained that rochester is a drab, sleepy town. my friends here have always called buffalo a giant dump. these opinions are both understandable but surrounded by misinformation and lack of familiarity. in alot of ways one is a reflection of the other. buffalo is culturally more in line with rochester than any other city, the same can be said in reverse.

lets get over the WNY penis envy thing, we should be focused on why both cities are a mess and the common problems socially and politically that have made them this way.

can we agree that we all hate albany and north carolina with the same shared rage?

Susie

November 6th, 2006, 07:04 PM

Suze, you have got to be the most ignorant person on these web boards.
Show me where anything I posted was factually incorrect, you cannot because I do not post lies. I post the truth. Rochester is going down the tubes and has been for years. Some say it will soon become the fourth largest city in the state instead of number three. You are the ignorant one because you ignore the obvious. You pretend that Rochester is not going down the tubes. We are second to last in online jobs posted, we are one of the most violent cities in the country, we have one of the largest (save for Detroit and New Orleans) and continuing number of lost jobs in the entire nation. Our population is going down more and more with each passing day. And all you can come up with in defense, is something Buffalo is doing. I don't give a rat’s ass what Buffalo is doing, but when a moron like you continually points out what is going on there as if that somehow justifies why we suck, then I am going to call you on it.

I wish we were as bad off as Buffalo. I wish we had over a billion dollars worth of new construction for the first 9 month of this year. I wish we had someone come to town and propose a 600 foot office building. I wish we had someone propose a 20 story condo tower near our Olmstead Parks. I wish we had a Geico or M&T continually hiring people. My husband happened to be listening to the Sabres game on his way home from Pennsylvania on Saturday night and he said Geico had a help wanted ad on the radio during the game, advertising for 500 openings they want to fill in Buffalo. When was the last time anyone in Rochester had to resort to radio ads to fill 500 positions. When was the last time anyone in Rochester had 500 positions - except for perhaps baggers at Wegmans.

Jerome

November 6th, 2006, 07:57 PM

Greatbatch just laid off a few dozen folks in the B-Lo too. But yeah, very good pierogies out that way.

Actually you do not seem to know what you are talking about, Here is the Greatbatch article;

REALIGNMENT
40 laid off at Greatbatch

11/5/2006

Greatbatch Inc. laid off 40 managerial and white-collar employees Friday but plans to add 27 positions in research and development and in growing business lines.

Anthony W. Borowicz, treasurer and director of investor relations, said he wouldn't characterize Friday's moves as a cutback, but as realignment. The company said in a press release that it wants "to better match its human resources with the management and technical skill sets required to optimize long-term operating performance."

The Clarence-headquartered manufacturer of batteries and medical components has been enjoying increased profits and sales as it expands business lines beyond its slow-growing traditional product, pacemaker batteries.

Borowicz said 23 of the layoffs were in the Buffalo area, and the rest at facilities elsewhere.
The company said it expects to save $8 million to $10 million a year from the layoffs, but will invest $6 million a year in new R&D and product engineering jobs and support.

Severance costs are estimated to be $2.1 million to $2.3 million, most of which will be recorded in the fourth quarter. As a result, the company cut its 2006 earnings guidance by 6 cents a share, to a range of 65 to 71 cents per diluted share, compared with 71 to 77 cents.

"We have successfully completed two-thirds of our three-year plan to consolidate facilities. It is now time to align our organization and cost structures to be consistent with our facilities footprint and the way we will manage our business," said President and CEO Thomas Hook in a statement.

"This planned organization change will enable more aggressive investment in core product technologies and other business opportunities ensuring Greatbatch's continued growth," he said. "In addition, the organization change combined with the consolidation of facilities will substantially improve the company's cost structure."

Two weeks ago, Greatbatch reported strong third-quarter net earnings of $3.2 million, or 15 cents per share, from $756,000, or 3 cents per share, a year earlier.

Sales in the quarter rose by 11 percent to $69.3 million - the company's sixth straight quarter of double-digit revenue growth. The company said at the time that its implantable medical components business was experiencing slow growth, while sales of its commercial power supply products jumped 49 percent.

Within the medical components business, sales were driven by new assembly products and coated electrodes and molded components, while demand weakened for Greatbatch's traditional products - pacemaker batteries and capacitors for implantable cardiac defibrillators.

So in sum 40 laid off but only 23 were in Buffalo. 27 to be added in R&D which is in Buffalo. Net impact to Buffalo plus 4 jobs

RochesterAddict

November 6th, 2006, 09:17 PM

Wow, M.A.T. is having the same discussion all of us have had at one time with Suzanna. Just give it up M.A.T., Seabiscuit is beaten so badly, he is dead and gone. The B-lo peeps, should stand up for B-lo, they would be ignorant to live there if they werent happy with it, but they should not post their stories on here, that is for the B-lo forum. Jerome blasts Roc on the B-lo forumall the time, yet sticks his nose in on our forum, hypocrite. No one takes Suzanna seriously anyway, and no one believes anything she has to post, EVERYTHING she has ever posted has some negative tweak that is untrue or "Not the whole story." She is the mosquito of the thread.

Tops Markets Up For Sale
RNEWS

The parent company of Tops Supermarkets plans to sell its operations in New York and Pennsylvania.

Netherlands-based Ahold previously announced plans to divest Tops stores in Northeast Ohio. The company now has decided to sell off Tops stores in New York and Pennsylvania, to focus its resources on remaining retail businesses. Those include Stop and Shop, Giant Landover, and Giant Carlisle.

Ahold also announced plans to divest its U.S. food service unit and cut debt by $2.5 billion.

I think this is Huge. Who will buy them? Price Chopper or an REIT buyer? Would Price Chopper convert the stores, would several stores close? Or would an REIT keep them all open and keep the name Tops? I think this is big news for poorer sections of Rochester, where Wegmans wont locate, but Tops has placed a store to serve the population, like the North Clinton Tops. I actually enjoy Martin's in Perinton, the customers are definitely different though from the Wegman's customers right across the street. P and C is too poor to be able to buy any, Albany has Hannaford, maybe they would be a contender? I dont know if areas outside of upstate NY would be interested in buying stores in our markets? Like A and P/Fresh Market, Food Lion/Bloom, Harris Teeter, or Publix? I guess we will see.

BTW, Susan something closing in Wayne county doesnt matter, that isnt even Rochester or a suburb. Its just land in between Syracuse and Rochester, that happens to be in our greater metro. Golisano bought the former Victor Lakes golf and tennis club, knocked down the clubhouse and is building his new home next to the former golf course and tennis courts. But you didnt post that? The home is being finished as we speak. Coopervison advertised on the radio 200 position openings this summer, you dont read/listen enough.

ROCguy

November 6th, 2006, 10:22 PM

ROCguy

November 6th, 2006, 10:25 PM

Show me where anything I posted was factually incorrect, you cannot because I do not post lies. I post the truth. Rochester is going down the tubes and has been for years. Some say it will soon become the fourth largest city in the state instead of number three. You are the ignorant one because you ignore the obvious. You pretend that Rochester is not going down the tubes. We are second to last in online jobs posted, we are one of the most violent cities in the country, we have one of the largest (save for Detroit and New Orleans) and continuing number of lost jobs in the entire nation. Our population is going down more and more with each passing day. And all you can come up with in defense, is something Buffalo is doing. I don't give a rat’s ass what Buffalo is doing, but when a moron like you continually points out what is going on there as if that somehow justifies why we suck, then I am going to call you on it.

I wish we were as bad off as Buffalo. I wish we had over a billion dollars worth of new construction for the first 9 month of this year. I wish we had someone come to town and propose a 600 foot office building. I wish we had someone propose a 20 story condo tower near our Olmstead Parks. I wish we had a Geico or M&T continually hiring people. My husband happened to be listening to the Sabres game on his way home from Pennsylvania on Saturday night and he said Geico had a help wanted ad on the radio during the game, advertising for 500 openings they want to fill in Buffalo. When was the last time anyone in Rochester had to resort to radio ads to fill 500 positions. When was the last time anyone in Rochester had 500 positions - except for perhaps baggers at Wegmans.

I wish I could transplant my friends and otherwise great life in Apex to Rochester and have it all so I didn't have a really hard decision to make in a few months. Shit happens and we can't always have what we wish for..... and might not always really want what we wish for.

North_Coast

November 6th, 2006, 10:49 PM

Show me where anything ..... <more of Susie's warped bullshit snipped >..... time anyone in Rochester had 500 positions - except for perhaps baggers at Wegmans.

Susie,

Rochester's economy is driven mostly by home-grown high-tech firms. Our city has been the manufacturing & R&D leader in NYS over the past several decades. Our economy has been hurt economically by the .com crash and the shift to global manufacturing overseas. Service industries are growing - new high-tech firms are spawning - the economy is slowly recovering. Education is also emerging as a significant employer.

The key difference between the Rochester and Buffalo economies are the high technology and telecommunications companies that were hit by the .com crash in Rochester. Also, one of our largest companies (Eastman Kodak Company - revenue 15 Billion/yr) - which is headquartered here - is competing against commodity players in the DSC market - due to a technology shift from Silver Halide to electronic imaging.

A more accurate comparison would be Rochester-Albany (minus the State Government) or Rochester-Syracuse. Rochester and Syracuse are both in the same the Fingerlakes Region of NYS - a region that is vastly different from the Niagara Region. Our economic and population infrastructure is much more simlar to Syracuse than Buffalo.

ROCHESTERIANS: Lots of diversity here due to the lage number of translants into this area during the high-tech expansion before and during the .com days. I tend to generalize Rochesterians, however, into two camps

1) Optimistic people working primarily in high tech fields
2) Blue collar "job for life" people who lack the versatility to recover from the national shift of manufacturing overseas.

You clearly fall into the latter category. Your posts are consistently pessimistic and come from a poorly informed perspective.

Your type condemns any progressive moves in our economy (i.e. Fast Ferry for instance) and stand behind conservative sell-outs like those that unfortunately prevail in our local government today. (ie. Duffy administration plan to basically shut down the city's deep water port forever by selling off prime public land for housing.)

Your type needs to go away. Leave it to the optimists to drive this great city and region forward.

Susie

November 6th, 2006, 11:50 PM

I wish I could transplant my friends and otherwise great life in Apex to Rochester and have it all so I didn't have a really hard decision to make in a few months. Shit happens and we can't always have what we wish for..... and might not always really want what we wish for.
Roc if you have a really great life with great friend in Apex why would you want to trade that in for Rochester. Friends and family are the most important thing in life that you have found them in a growing area is a bonus. Why would you want to give that up for a romanticized dream in a declining area like Rochester. You are in an area where you can thrive, you should stay there and help to make it a better commmunity. Get involved and help it to obtain the positive things that you like about Rochester rather than coming up here and stuggling. You can always visit here, but don't give up what you have there, life and the people you care about are much more important in the long run than the bricks and mortar of a has been town like Rochester. Dare to be great in a city that will give you the opportunity to excel not one that is on the decline. And in your heart of hearts you know that Rochester is on the decline and will be for many years to come. You are only young for a short while and even if Rochester does eventually turn around it may be too late for you to reap the full benefit of it as you will be in mid career by then.

Susie

November 6th, 2006, 11:58 PM

Susie,

Rochester's economy is driven mostly by home-grown high-tech firms. .

Rochester's economy is driven by the continuing layoffs at our major employer's Kodak and Xerox, it is also driven by the closings and employment reductions at scores of smaller companies. It is also driven by our ever declining population and by the vast number of our young people that move out of the area every year. As the state labor department put it out low unemployment is only due to people that have quit looking for work or have left the area.

bdaly

November 7th, 2006, 02:13 AM

My husband happened to be listening to the Sabres game on his way home from Pennsylvania on Saturday night and he said Geico had a help wanted ad on the radio during the game, advertising for 500 openings they want to fill in Buffalo. When was the last time anyone in Rochester had to resort to radio ads to fill 500 positions. When was the last time anyone in Rochester had 500 positions - except for perhaps baggers at Wegmans.
Wow--looks like another interesting day with lots of "facts" on the boards. On this one, perhaps not 500 in one batch, but Verizon has resorted to advertising in the past and the Sutherland Group is constantly doing the same locally. Many of these types of jobs aren't the highest paying in the world (although not terrible), as a Buffalo News article pointed out when discussing the lack of income growth. I'm not the least bit surprised that Geico has to resort to radio advertising, just as the Sutherland Group does all of the time.

bdaly

November 7th, 2006, 02:23 AM

Rochester's economy is driven by the continuing layoffs at our major employer's Kodak and Xerox, it is also driven by the closings and employment reductions at scores of smaller companies. It is also driven by our ever declining population and by the vast number of our young people that move out of the area every year. As the state labor department put it out low unemployment is only due to people that have quit looking for work or have left the area.
Scores of smaller companies? What, a few old manufacturing ones? In Henrietta and Brighton, I see numerous small technology companies growing. I know there are plenty of examples in Victor and in the city. See the top 100 for a number of examples.

On unemployment, you're looking at a national issue. The current administration likes to point to the "entrepreurship" over the past few years in the U.S. thanks to people working for themselves. These "entrepreneurs" are just out-of-work folks doing freelance so they fall into that bucket.

But, again, I'd encourage you to move. You made quite the "pitch" below. So, go to where the grass is so green and take it from there. What's your excuse? Travel isn't all that expensive; so if you're unhappy, move and open up job(s) for positive and constructive residents. Or, perhaps there is medication for chronic defeatism...

bdaly

November 7th, 2006, 02:37 AM

I think this is Huge. Who will buy them? Price Chopper or an REIT buyer? Would Price Chopper convert the stores, would several stores close? Or would an REIT keep them all open and keep the name Tops? I think this is big news for poorer sections of Rochester, where Wegmans wont locate, but Tops has placed a store to serve the population, like the North Clinton Tops. I actually enjoy Martin's in Perinton, the customers are definitely different though from the Wegman's customers right across the street. P and C is too poor to be able to buy any, Albany has Hannaford, maybe they would be a contender? I dont know if areas outside of upstate NY would be interested in buying stores in our markets? Like A and P/Fresh Market, Food Lion/Bloom, Harris Teeter, or Publix? I guess we will see.

It will be very interesting. Before this announcement, I expected all of the Tops' to convert to Martin's so they'd be differentiated from Super Wal-Mart. I don't think Tops is a viable chain right now (and they went from being a good competitor to a mediocre one when they were purchased). It's stuck in the middle--average prices and service. Wegmans' strategy is brilliant and that's why they are so successful in high-end markets; their core has no interest in getting food from a Wal-Mart. Anyone who buys Tops has to carve out their own niche. And, it won't be easy. Wegmans delivers a great experience at a reasonable price and Wal-Mart is, well, cheap.

I think P&C is probably doomed too--they have nothing going for them except being somewhat small in terms of the store size. It'll be interesting. Knowing the stronghold Wegmans has on most of the market (mixed with Wal-Mart's impact on the bargain conscious shopper), it seems like it'll be a gamble for anyone. Tops does appear to be doing quite well in the urban locations in Rochester though. Actually, they are their only locations where I tend to constantly see real healthy looking numbers of cars in the parking lots. Geographically, A&P makes some sense, but I have no idea if their business model adds any value to the market.

AmherstMan

November 7th, 2006, 04:49 AM

nevermind

BuffCity

November 7th, 2006, 05:58 AM

you know like the Buffalo forum...the Rochester forum too is made up of many forumers that do NOT want to hear the negitive sides to the NYS economy's local effects. Fact is we are both still very slow to get anything going and about as much bad is good now...but to tell Susie she is wrong for posting closings only makes MANY here close-minded.

Face it, makes opening your eyes everyday easier...move on and understand that this is going to be the story for a long time around these parts...especially manufacturing sectors.

Susie...good posts, good to see the other side of the spectrum.

RochesterAddict

November 7th, 2006, 04:51 PM

http://www.centralmediaserver.com/wokr/1106vetsoutreach_216.jpg

Donations Will Pay for New Vets Center
13 WHAM

The Veterans Outreach Center received a large donation from a local philanthropist Monday.

Tom Golisano donated $750,000 to the agency's campaign for veterans. The fund will pay for a new building as part of the agency's renovation and expansion project.

The Charles P. Golisano campus is named for Golisano's older brother who was killed during the Korean War.

Paychex founder Golisano said, "I still remember the night the doorbell rang. It was 9:30 and not too many doorbells were ringing at 9:30 at night on a weekday...and of course it was the person with the telegram. I was upstairs in my bed and I heard my parents' reaction."

Golisano said he feels strongly about helping returning veterans heal, both physically and mentally.

LiDestri to invest $2.6 million to upgrade Fairport plant
Democrat and Chronicle

LiDestri Foods of Fairport announced Monday that it will invest $2.6 million in equipment upgrades in a project that would help retain 379 jobs.

Candice Sheffer, the chief financial officer, said the investment will also boost the efficiency and reliability of the company's production lines.

The investment was necessary because of a major client's need to quickly ramp up production, Sheffer said, declining to reveal the company or the products.

"If we hadn't put the dollars in, we risk losing them as a client," she said.

LiDestri received $250,000 for the upgrades through a state Manufacturing Assistance Program. The program, administered by Empire State Development, encourages businesses employing 50 to 1,000 workers to retain manufacturing jobs by investing in their projects.

"The cost of doing business in New York is so high, anything I can do to remain competitive helps keep jobs here," she said.

LiDestri employs about 400 people at its Fairport plant, which is also the company's headquarters. It also owns plants in Dundee, Yates County, and New Jersey and California.

The Fairport plant makes pasta sauces, beverages, salsa, dips and soups for a number of other food companies as well as producing its signature line of Francesco Rinaldi products.

The Francesco Rinaldi line accounts for 25 percent of the company's total annual sales of about $350 million, Sheffer said.

The Lidestri's are the relatives of the Ragu family, after the Ragu's sold to Kraft, they shared the wealth and helped the Lidestri family open this plant.

New stores at Market Square
Democrat and Chronicle

Bed, Bath & Beyond and The Christmas Tree Shops are ushering in shoppers —leaving only Red Robin Gourmet Burgers to open at Market Square, 720 Jefferson Road. Bed, Bath & Beyond opened last week. The Christmas Tree Shops opened Sunday.

Red Robin is expected to start serving customers Nov. 20.

Other new businesses at Market Square include Marshalls and A.C. Moore Arts and Crafts.

Price Chopper shows interest in Tops
Business First of Buffalo

With Tops supermarkets for sale, Price Chopper may be interested in buying, according to Neil Golub, president and chief executive officer of the Golub Corp. in Rotterdam, N.Y.

"We are interested in taking a look at what is available," Golub said Monday. "We'll do our research and we'll decide what to do."

Price Chopper, which owns 115 supermarkets in six states, bought six Tops stores last year. A number of the existing Tops are located near Price Chopper supermarkets.

Royal Ahold said Monday it would be selling Tops Markets LLC, the largest supermarket chain in the Buffalo area. The decision to sell was not unexpected and comes as the Ahold, of the Netherlands, continues with an international corporate restructuring. In the second quarter, Tops sales were down 5.3 percent.

Ahold has owned Tops, which has 42 stores in the Buffalo area, since the early 1990s, and has more than 1,800 employees. The grocery store chain was founded more than 40 years ago in Niagara Falls.

Max Henderson Jr., executive vice president and general manager of Tops, said the company believes its stores in New York and Pennsylvania will be attractive to a single buyer.

Look I may be right!

Susie

November 7th, 2006, 05:30 PM

Susie...good posts, good to see the other side of the spectrum.

Tanx

sargeantcm

November 7th, 2006, 05:59 PM

Argh see below

sargeantcm

November 7th, 2006, 06:01 PM

RochesterAddict

November 7th, 2006, 06:54 PM

Interesting. I've occasionally seen Price Chopper trucks around here and wonder what the heck they're doing - I didn't think they had anything west of Syracuse or so.

Personally, I wasn't too impressed with Price Chopper in Syracuse, but that was only one store one time. Should be interesting to see. If they do, I wonder if their rewards program is comparable, otherwise I'll probably just do more of my shopping at Wegmans or Latina's.

A&P used to be in the Buffalo market, well before my time. Ditto Loblaws. Obviously I'm not familiar with the details, maybe someone else is.

A&P used to be in Rochester as well, but I believe that was WAY before my time, I have seen old videos (I posted one on here) from the 60's with A&P's in the pictures. I am pretty sure they couldnt compete with Wegmans which offered a superior experience and local flair. Price Chopper may supply a local Buffalo market thats why you may see the trucks, like P and C supplies the Big M markets in the hick towns outside of Rochester. My friend from Syracuse says Price Chopper's are nice stores, just much smaller than Wegmans, I have never been so I cant offer my own take. (But dont worry I would if I could!)

Buffcity, I am only enraged by what Susie says because I despise ignorance and stupidity. I am also terribly embarrassed by what she writes since it is obviously the writings of a clueless hick. I am ashamed that she even lives in our metro, for fear that someone will generalize that that is what Rochesterians are like. The human psyche tends to remember the negative and drown out the positive. For example: She wrote on another thread about recommended restaurants in your city that Friday's, Applebee's and Panera are upscale restaurants that patrons should attend. Come on, no one can be that facetious or that negative that they feel these restaurants are decent places that you would recommend to someone out of town. Unless they are so lost or have suffered a stroke. "If she really does enjoy Rochester, do you notice she only posts D and C articles and census materials, never real experience?" Perhaps she is 80 and lives in Phoenix? Check it out: http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=406505

Susie

November 7th, 2006, 09:22 PM

I am only enraged by what Susie says because I despise ignorance and stupidity.
Then yours must be a life full of self-loathing

I am also terribly embarrassed by what she writes since it is obviously the writings of a clueless hick.

BTW is hick even used by anyone nowadays? You call me a hick because I live in one of the few towns in Monroe County that is growing. Maybe once you get a drivers license you will be able to got to places the bus company does not.

ROCguy

November 7th, 2006, 09:54 PM

Roc if you have a really great life with great friend in Apex why would you want to trade that in for Rochester. Friends and family are the most important thing in life that you have found them in a growing area is a bonus. Why would you want to give that up for a romanticized dream in a declining area like Rochester. You are in an area where you can thrive, you should stay there and help to make it a better commmunity. Get involved and help it to obtain the positive things that you like about Rochester rather than coming up here and stuggling. You can always visit here, but don't give up what you have there, life and the people you care about are much more important in the long run than the bricks and mortar of a has been town like Rochester. Dare to be great in a city that will give you the opportunity to excel not one that is on the decline. And in your heart of hearts you know that Rochester is on the decline and will be for many years to come. You are only young for a short while and even if Rochester does eventually turn around it may be too late for you to reap the full benefit of it as you will be in mid career by then.

I really can't see myself living out the rest of my life in NC. It is starting to seem like I will most likely stay here for college; but after that it's doubtfull. I've always liked Rochester and always felt a strong bond to the community. I have great friends that I would miss should I go away, but in the real world I know it's not too likely that we would stay in touch after highschool anyways..... at least that's the way it tends to be in areas like this (heavily populated with transplants). I think that with your determination susie, you could actually be a great asset to the community if you took some pride, pulled up your boot straps, and tried to enjoy the area you live in and make it better. I think your gloomy outlook is a little (ok, more than a little) overstated. The situation could ge a lot worse and has been for many other cities at at least one point in their histories. That's what I've done lately; making the best of an unideal situation. It helps, trust me.

RochesterAddict

November 7th, 2006, 11:13 PM

BTW is hick even used by anyone nowadays? You call me a hick because I live in one of the few towns in Monroe County that is growing. Maybe once you get a drivers license you will be able to got to places the bus company does not.

That is because your friends use the term behind your back, so as not to hurt your feelings.

bayviews

November 8th, 2006, 03:19 AM

Bayviews...apparently...I think...(assumed)

Again, way off the mark! Nothing like terrible guesswork.

sargeantcm

November 8th, 2006, 03:03 PM

^^ Not terrible guesswork, as you'll notice (since you quoted it) that I covered myself by stating my assumptions, as any good thinker would do. Therefore if they were in fact wrong, well, I applied some implied guesswork to anticipating that they may very well be suspect. So if nothing else, I've disclaimed my assumption, thereby covering myself from any liability stemming from the "terrible-ness" of the guesses. Which is a more desirable position than your own, consistently spouting off opinions and rants about the superiority of taco-eating contests, brick housing, and the inefficiencies of radial street grids in cities devoid of Mexicans, all whilst citing not a one source.

And you still didn't answer or rebutt my comment anyways. So it should logically follow that my assumption was a valid one - since you've evidently read it (assumed - see above) and had an opportunity to respond, which you subsequently declined (not an assumption; fact). And that's terrible guesswork? Maybe we should invade Canada, I hear they have WMDs.

Nothing like a forumer who takes potshots at places he (assumed, see above) doesn't even know just because he's mad at a few internet forumers because these cities don't have his preferred immigrant mix (here's a doozie - if all cities had the same mix, who would be superior?). Sounds similar to a guy who lived in central Europe, oh, I don't know, in the mid-1930s or so?

sargeantcm

November 8th, 2006, 03:13 PM

A&P used to be in Rochester as well, but I believe that was WAY before my time, I have seen old videos (I posted one on here) from the 60's with A&P's in the pictures. I am pretty sure they couldnt compete with Wegmans which offered a superior experience and local flair. Price Chopper may supply a local Buffalo market thats why you may see the trucks, like P and C supplies the Big M markets in the hick towns outside of Rochester. My friend from Syracuse says Price Chopper's are nice stores, just much smaller than Wegmans, I have never been so I cant offer my own take. (But dont worry I would if I could!)
I read in the Buffalo News that Hannaford (commonly pronounced by many New Englanders as "Can'tafford") may be interested in buying the Tops chain, or at least some of it. That'll be the day, besides Wegmans will wax them. My knowledge of Hannaford is that they have no shopper's card, nor do they have any particular sales or mailed circulars, which puts them behind the 8-ball with respect to Tops and Wegmans anyway. Not to mention I don't recall ever buying anything there despite what must've been 10-15 trips before I gave up.

If they buy Tops, watch Wegmans' market share in Buffalo go from 26%+/- ((?) assumed, see previous post) to somewhere in the high-30s/low 40s and become the market share leader. No questions asked, I called it. If I were Wegmans, I'd buy up a few of the stores in areas not already served by them, even if it were only say 5 strategically placed purchases between Buffalo and Rochester combined. That'd give them a stranglehold.

RochesterAddict

November 8th, 2006, 06:47 PM

http://cmsimg.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A2&Date=20061108&Category=BUSINESS&ArtNo=611080368&Ref=V1&Profile=1001&MaxW=550&MaxH=430

Tops' sale may hurt city, small towns most
Democrat and Chronicle

Before Tops Friendly Markets built a store in Rochester's Upper Falls neighborhood eight years ago, Elizabeth Alamo took two buses to get to the closest supermarket on Ridge Road or shopped daily at a convenience store.

"It's really hard because I don't have a car," said Alamo, 39, a day care worker with two teenage children.

She was surprised to learn Tuesday that Tops' corporate parent, Ahold NV of the Netherlands, had put the chain up for sale. The community depends on the local Tops for affordable groceries, she said, and residents would like to see another supermarket take over the site.

"Pretty much everybody comes here. Especially the older people. They don't have cars."

In the Rochester region, Tops has gone where many other supermarkets have not: to city neighborhoods and small towns. People in those communities have come to rely on Tops.

But the chain seriously lags behind Wegmans Food Markets Inc., the home-grown company that dominates the Rochester-area grocery scene with almost half of all supermarket sales.

Its No. 1 position secure, Wegmans on Tuesday ruled out any possibility of buying Tops, though spokeswoman Jo Natale said Wegmans has always respected Tops as a competitor.

There are 21 Tops and two Ahold-owned Martin's stores in the region affected by the Dutch company's decision to sell. Four of the Tops stores are in the city of Rochester, where Wegmans has two locations. Tops also has stores in communities including Albion and Medina in Orleans County, LeRoy in Genesee County, Avon and Dansville in Livingston County, and Ontario in Wayne County — none of which has a Wegmans.

Rochester Mayor Robert Duffy pledged to work with Tops and any potential buyers for the city stores, which he said were vitally needed.

"It is incredibly important to provide full-service grocery stores in our city," Duffy said. "Our residents who may be challenged economically are put in a worse position (without a supermarket) by having to pay higher prices for the same products."

In Le Roy, village Mayor Jim DeLooze also talked of the importance of Tops. "Naturally, any community needs a grocery store," he said, adding that the closest Wegmans is about 19 miles away, in Brockport. There is a Save-A-Lot grocery in LeRoy but it doesn't stock nearly as many products as Tops, DeLooze said.

Potential buyers

The unspoken concern of government and community leaders, as well as shoppers such as Alamo, is that Ahold might find buyers for only the most successful Tops stores. National supermarket analyst David J. Livingston gave voice to those concerns Tuesday. After mentioning the A&P, Hannaford and Price Chopper chains as possible bidders for Tops, he added: "Whoever it is, they are only going to want to take the cherries."

Another analyst, Burt Flickinger III of Strategic Resource Group in New York City, also suggested Schenectady-based Price Chopper and Maine-based Hannaford, along with C&S Wholesale Grocers in Vermont, as chains that might want to enter the Rochester market. He was more optimistic than Livingston that a buyer would want Tops' urban and rural stores.

Flickinger said Tops has been successful with its stores, which, at 40,000 to 50,000 square feet, are smaller than Wegmans' 80,000 to 126,000 square feet. Some time-starved shoppers prefer a smaller store, he said.

Tops spokesman Denny Hopkins said New York has been a profitable market.

"We're trying to sell to one buyer, preferably to a supermarket operator," Hopkins said.

Here and gone

If the Tops name does disappear from the Rochester area, it will join others that have come and gone. Among those are Star Market, which was purchased by Loblaw's and then converted into Apple's, which ultimately closed. Others include A&P and Acme.

Wegmans has proved to be formidable competition for all of them, said Eugene Fram, a marketing professor at Rochester Institute of Technology.

"Rochester is an affluent market and Wegmans does a lot of things really well," he said. "This is their back yard."

For city resident Victor Tocano, 52, the Tops on Upper Falls Boulevard is reasonably close to his back yard. He shops at the store twice a month, with one of those visits occurring Tuesday.

"This place is nice," he said. "It's a great place for the community."

Is the D and C watching our thread? Hmmmm...

Wild Oats grows
Syracuse.com

Grocer Price Chopper has sown some Wild Oats. The Chopper is the first independent supermarket chain to score more than 1,000 of the natural and organic products Wild Oats Markets Inc.'s entire line to be introduced throughout each department at all of Price Chopper's 115 supermarkets.

"The Wild Oats items will be integrated throughout the store, offering natural and organic alternatives in most every category," said Mona Golub, vice president of public relations and consumer services for the chain, which is based in Schenectady.

Neil Golub, president and chief executive officer of Price Chopper, said it's a smart move for Price Chopper.

"Wild Oats is a definitive leader in this field, and our agreement with them allows us to provide their well-regarded natural and organic foods, holistic supplements and environmentally friendly body-care products in various categories throughout the store for our customers here in the Northeast," said Golub.

Mona Golub tells us that the Wild Oats line is too vast to create a store-within-a-store concept, similar to Nature's Marketplace departments at Wegmans .

It's an interesting move, for Wild Oats runs its own chain of natural and organic food markets in the United States and Canada, including 114 stores in 24 states operating under the names Wild Oats Natural Marketplace, Henry's Farmers Markets, Sun Harvest and Capers Community Markets .

Sarge, it will be very interesting to see what pans out, but in the retail world, this is now big news. When Ahold was just selling Tops in Ohio no one cared, but now a lot of players want the piece. I am afraid for the Rochester city locations and if the stores arent sold as a block, I see the hick town locations closing. If you believe that Buffalo and Rochester are bleeding population, then just think what the population of the hick towns are doing. Who knows, even if they are sold as a block unprofitable stores will still close, just like M and T is doing with Citibank.

After the sale if there is a name change I see the Buffalo Wegmans to gain share anyway, there will be no hometown loyalty anymore. The only thing that will save a new company taking over will be to maintain Tops low prices or to slash prices even more, but then they run into Walmart territory. I enjoy some of Martins low prices and clean store, its the same products as Tops just in a cleaner package. If they offer a more upscale store then they will compete with Wegmans and lose the low priced shopper to Walmart. Its that middle of the road shopper that is hard to meet, the same reason Kaufmanns and all other "not-so-special stores" were gobbled up by Macys. In my opinion, Buffalonians may still flock to a mid priced "Topsesque" store because Buffalonians love to embrace their blue collaredness and they feel Wegmans is all "fancy and stuff." (Walden Galleria Wegmans was just a bad location, I dont think it has anything to do with Buffalo. Though Hylan Drive Wegmans across from the Marketplace Mall in Roc does very well?)

I do get mad Danny hasnt remodeled many of the Rochester Wegmans stores yet, but most stores are in the VERY slow works to be fixed up. Even though most Wegmans stores in Rochester are old, original, need a facelift dumps, they still keep them clean. I dont totally blame them though, why do you need to remodel if you have 50% market share?

sargeantcm

November 8th, 2006, 07:51 PM

After the sale if there is a name change I see the Buffalo Wegmans to gain share anyway, there will be no hometown loyalty anymore. The only thing that will save a new company taking over will be to maintain Tops low prices or to slash prices even more, but then they run into Walmart territory. I enjoy some of Martins low prices and clean store, its the same products as Tops just in a cleaner package. If they offer a more upscale store then they will compete with Wegmans and lose the low priced shopper to Walmart. Its that middle of the road shopper that is hard to meet, the same reason Kaufmanns and all other "not-so-special stores" were gobbled up by Macys. In my opinion, Buffalonians may still flock to a mid priced "Topsesque" store because Buffalonians love to embrace their blue collaredness and they feel Wegmans is all "fancy and stuff." (Walden Galleria Wegmans was just a bad location, I dont think it has anything to do with Buffalo. Though Hylan Drive Wegmans across from the Marketplace Mall in Roc does very well?)
I don't know if I've ever viewed Wegmans as "fancy and stuff" myself (whether anybody else does, I don't know or frankly care). I typically shop at Tops because I think on a full grocery cart, you're going to do better for prices, and I've rarely had a problem with quality. Idiot cashiers screwing up the orders occasionally, but I've also gotten home before and found out I've gotten things for free as well. I still shop Wegmans for their sales though, because I think a Wegmans sale is at least equal to if not better than a Tops sale. For instance, I need to buy milk today and it's ALWAYS on sale at Wegmans.

Growing up, my parents always preferred Wegmans, but until the mid-80s, the closest one was across from the Seneca Mall (store has since been rebuilt in-place) so it was too far. But when they opened the McKinley Mall location, we tended to do all our shopping there until it got popular enough where the place was a complete zoo (and often still is), after which Tops becomes more appealing.

I dont totally blame them though, why do you need to remodel if you have 50% market share?
Similar to the question I asked of the Maple Leaves in the Sabres thread: When you consistently sell out with the most expensive tickets for one of the consistently most mediocre teams, what's to motivate the front office to improve the team?

But seriously (well, I actually was being serious), improvements are always needed. I'm not one to judge a store by it's exterior (I actually often have better luck finding things and getting out quickly with the few crappy-looking old Tops' that remain), but unfortunately some people are.

BuffCity

November 8th, 2006, 08:10 PM

ahh yes grocery store news...

Aldi is building 6 new stores in the Buffalo metro, one new one in Medina and another someplace else between Buffalo and Rochester. I don't know of any new constructions in Rochester, I imagine if Buffalo is getting 6 new stores that ROC should be getting a couple more atleast.

The little Aldi I work at in Batavia does 7million + annually.

BuffCity

November 8th, 2006, 08:12 PM

by the way...

Batavia has plans for a Kroger grocery store...the largest chain in the USA and has plans to move into WNY...perhaps this is it?

donbuy

November 8th, 2006, 08:28 PM

[IMG] I am afraid for the Rochester city locations and if the stores arent sold as a block, I see the hick town locations closing. If you believe that Buffalo and Rochester are bleeding population, then just think what the population of the hick towns are doing.

You must really be uninformed about population trends junior. Were it not for the bleeding population of Rochester and of Buffalo both Monroe County and Erie County would be gaining rather than losing population. The towns outside the cities have a much much higher disposable income, which is why retail is dead within Rochester's city limits and somewhat prosperous outside of it.

bdaly

November 8th, 2006, 09:01 PM

I do get mad Danny hasnt remodeled many of the Rochester Wegmans stores yet, but most stores are in the VERY slow works to be fixed up. Even though most Wegmans stores in Rochester are old, original, need a facelift dumps, they still keep them clean. I dont totally blame them though, why do you need to remodel if you have 50% market share?
I think some of these cases have been because they're targeted to be rebuilt or expanded. A new large Wegmans is going is pretty quickly on Mt Read in Greece, and it'll replace the small Wegmans. The East Henrietta location will be replaced in the coming year or two, and there are plans to replace/expand the Latta Road location. And, where do things stand with the East Ave. location? Is that still at a standstill?

Wegmans is also pretty slow to actually build new stores as they stick to slow growth, which may play into there not being renovations when demolition is planned. I believe there were plans for the Latta location in Greece first. But, given Chase Pitkin's closure mixed with the threat of a Super Wal-Mart somewhat nearby, I think they decided to replace a small vulnerable location with one that will do the things that they do well. They have the luxury of time on Latta.

bdaly

November 8th, 2006, 09:26 PM

I typically shop at Tops because I think on a full grocery cart, you're going to do better for prices, and I've rarely had a problem with quality. Idiot cashiers screwing up the orders occasionally, but I've also gotten home before and found out I've gotten things for free as well. I still shop Wegmans for their sales though, because I think a Wegmans sale is at least equal to if not better than a Tops sale. For instance, I need to buy milk today and it's ALWAYS on sale at Wegmans.

This is interesting and somewhat in conflict with what I've read. Tops employs high/low pricing, which generally means their sales are better than Wegmans' sales, but regular prices are going to be better with Wegmans' more consistent strategy. Part of the change to Martin's in a few locations was tied to this, as Ahold representatives stated they had a consistent prices pricing strategy too which is a better fit.

Once Ahold bought Tops, I found that they fell apart. We used to go there on occasion years back as the International Tops on Mt. Read was quite nice, but stopped once that occured due to it taking weeks or months to replenish some items while we got a few rotten food items. But, given that Tops is in Buffalo, their distribution should be better there.

Back to pricing, while I rarely bother with Tops anymore, I do check a handful of items when I go. For example, a bag of Lifesavers are something like $1.78 at Tops and $1.50 at Wegmans. However, a sale at Tops usually cuts them down to $1, whereas Wegmans shaves a quarter off. That's typically the difference between the two strategies.

In the end, Tops offers nothing unique--like many chains, they aren't differentiated from Wal-Mart. They offer average prices with normal service. Wegmans continues to break new ground. The idea of a seafood bar it Pittsford seems bizarre, but whenever I go there, they seem to be doing quite well. It will be interesting to see if Wegmans ever sells out to a large company that wants an upscale brand.

sargeantcm

November 8th, 2006, 09:34 PM

^^ I agree with most of that; as far as pricing, I've heard that too but it doesn't totally jive with my experience. In addition, I find Tops is more generous with coupons, for instance I have a $5 off $50 in my wallet right now. After I moved back, I did some full-scale shopping at both, and that's what I found, anyways. The rewards points promotions are good too, I've probably saved a small grocery trip's worth just in gas points (bought for $0.98 a couple months ago).

I also agree that Ahold pretty much ran Tops into the ground, especially when you consider how red-hot they were with expansion in the mid-late '90s. The merger with Giant seemed to pay off, but yeah, Ahold has been a disaster.

That being said, Tops is and always was a rather run-of-the-mill grocery store, in all fairness they shouldn't even be classified with Wegmans which is progressive to the extreme. That being said, I'm glad I get to shop at Tops now, they beat the crap out of Shaw's and Hannaford IMO.

As for bargain shopping, I've been going to Latina's lately when Tops doesn't have some massive sale on a bunch of things I need or when they're not having a particularly interesting promotion (which doesn't tend to be very often). They (Latina's) just piss me off because they're categorized in my credit card statement under "Financial Services" for some odd reason, and it costs me grocery rewards dollars. lol

RochesterAddict

November 8th, 2006, 09:39 PM

You must really be uninformed about population trends junior. Were it not for the bleeding population of Rochester and of Buffalo both Monroe County and Erie County would be gaining rather than losing population. The towns outside the cities have a much much higher disposable income, which is why retail is dead within Rochester's city limits and somewhat prosperous outside of it.

Another example of sticking nose where it doesnt know what its speaking about. No wonder our retail situation sucks so bad here, we have this guy making the decisions for us. In Chicago speak Schaumburg, Northbrook, and Buffalo Grove would all to ME and most Rochesterians be considered Chicago. We would refer to it as Chicago, those suburbs are not individual cities, they are suburbs therefore they are Chicago. Donbuy if you live in Oak Brook, you live in Chicago, because no one except well traveled peeps or Chi town peeps would know where the hell Oak Brook is. Therefore when I refer to hick towns around Rochester I mean places like Hamlin, Brockport, Avon, Geneseo, Williamson, Newark. Places that have no reason for anyone whom doesnt live there to go. Small populations who feel driving into the city of Rochester is dangerous or too far, when they see a black person they lock their doors. If I lived in Great Neck Long Island I would say Im from NYC because you would have no idea where Great Neck, NY is, it is a suburb of NYC.

RochesterAddict

November 8th, 2006, 09:51 PM

I think some of these cases have been because they're targeted to be rebuilt or expanded. A new large Wegmans is going is pretty quickly on Mt Read in Greece, and it'll replace the small Wegmans. The East Henrietta location will be replaced in the coming year or two, and there are plans to replace/expand the Latta Road location. And, where do things stand with the East Ave. location? Is that still at a standstill?

Many stores are on hold because Danny and the crew are trying to build new store prototypes based on the new prepared foods kiosks available in the Pittsford store. (Called PODS) They want many of the new Roc stores to incorporate this so they are not behind the times of the new stores they are building in other states. I didnt know the Mt Read store was moving forward, good, the current store is an atrocity, I havent been up to Mt Read in a while, but I heard some new stuff has moved in in the past 2 years. Good stuff.

When I met with Carlos Carballada he said M and T is holding up East Ave Wegmans, they have no where to put the branch they will relocate from that corner of East and Winton. Now all of the building owners have sold, so its just the bank holding stuff up, hopefully it will be resolved soon. I guess that branch is a top performer.

East Henrietta/Calkins (Henrietta), Latta/Long Pond (Greece), Holt Road (Webster), East Ave (City), Elmwood Ave (City), and Hylan Drive (Henrietta) have all been proposed for new construction or expansions but nothing has moved forward yet with any of them. I am happy that Mt Read actually has progress.

Buffcity, I think Aldi has fully penetrated our market already with 1-2 stores per suburb, I think we are done with Aldi roll out, Aldi's subsidiary Trader Joes would be nice though.

RochesterAddict

November 8th, 2006, 10:02 PM

I don't know if I've ever viewed Wegmans as "fancy and stuff" myself (whether anybody else does, I don't know or frankly care). I typically shop at Tops because I think on a full grocery cart, you're going to do better for prices, and I've rarely had a problem with quality. Idiot cashiers screwing up the orders occasionally, but I've also gotten home before and found out I've gotten things for free as well. I still shop Wegmans for their sales though, because I think a Wegmans sale is at least equal to if not better than a Tops sale. For instance, I need to buy milk today and it's ALWAYS on sale at Wegmans.

I meant no disrespect...I can tell you are educated, just Freshman year at UB I roomed with a kid from Hamburg, Elma or Elba (cant remember), and Cheektowaga and it wasnt a good experience. They always said I liked "fancy and stuff" things and I guess it just stuck with me. They also collected the Buffalo trademark Buffalo Bills and Sabres flags that hang out the car window, (4 on one car) that I despise, along with Rochester's never ending yellow troops ribbon magnets that I wish would go away. Ah the memories.

I enjoy Martins/Tops triple coupons and the fact that Martins carries some brands Wegmans doesnt, like Rays bagels! mmmm...NYC style bagels.

ROCguy

November 8th, 2006, 10:04 PM

by the way...

Batavia has plans for a Kroger grocery store...the largest chain in the USA and has plans to move into WNY...perhaps this is it?

Kroger is big in the south. I think it's based out of Cinncinnati but there are tons of them here in NC. Also, I think sarge mentioned Hannaford's; that place sucks and it was bought out by Lowes Foods down here about 6 years ago. The biggest player now is Harris Teeter. It would be very interesting to see what would happen if they built a HT in WNY. Because it's very much like Wegmans (well, the closest thing to Wegmans in the south) only it's more expensive. I'm surprised that Wegmans only takes up 49% of the market share in Rochester, I would have expected it to be at least 60%.

donbuy

November 8th, 2006, 10:18 PM

Therefore when I refer to hick towns around Rochester I mean places like Hamlin, Brockport, Avon, Geneseo, Williamson, Newark.
Those Towns that you list ARE the growing towns around the City of Rochester and the fact is, were it not for Rochester's continual population loss the County would be growing. And yes I do realize that not all of the towns you listed are in Monroe County. I also realize that were it not for the growing hick towns that you so deride no national chains would be interested in setting up shop in Rochester. No national chain is moving to Rochester based upon what is going on within the city limits. So don't get you panties in a knot silly boy.

sargeantcm

November 8th, 2006, 11:02 PM

I meant no disrespect...I can tell you are educated, just Freshman year at UB I roomed with a kid from Hamburg, Elma or Elba (cant remember), and Cheektowaga and it wasnt a good experience. They always said I liked "fancy and stuff" things and I guess it just stuck with me. They also collected the Buffalo trademark Buffalo Bills and Sabres flags that hang out the car window, (4 on one car) that I despise, along with Rochester's never ending yellow troops ribbon magnets that I wish would go away. Ah the memories.

I enjoy Martins/Tops triple coupons and the fact that Martins carries some brands Wegmans doesnt, like Rays bagels! mmmm...NYC style bagels.
Yeah, I know what you meant.

I hate those flags too. And I really hate those stupid ribbons. Even more of those in NH, sometimes ones which are literally covered with them. Nothing more quintessentially American than "I'm going to stick this crap on my car to display my thoughts". I dunno, I see it as a manifestation of the automobile being so central to our society.

I did like the "I need my hockey fix(ed)" ones though. I'd still never buy one, but it was kind of cute.

steel

November 9th, 2006, 06:41 AM

RochesterAddict

November 9th, 2006, 05:57 PM

http://cctvimedia.clearchannel.com/wokr/stagecoach_inn.jpg

Stagecoach Inn Settlement Proposal Detailed
13 WHAM

The Stagecoach Inn is close to being saved, according to a settlement proposal obtained by 13WHAM News.

In March, the Chili Planning Board approved a developer’s plan to tear down the nearly 200-year-old structure to make way for a Walgreens, but a group of residents sued to block the demolition.

State Supreme Court Justice Evelyn Frazee has not ruled yet in the case. She has been overseeing settlement talks among the parties.

A settlement proposal drafted by Judge Frazee on October 26 outlines an agreement that would give control of the Stagecoach Inn to Rochester developer Ben Kendig, who has rehabbed other troubled and historic properties.

The proposal calls for Kendig to preserve the inn’s history. The inn would likely become offices, according to the proposal, with the second floor used for storage.

The proposal calls for Walgreens to fund $50,000 worth of renovations to the inn. Maude Development and the owners of the inn and adjacent property would kick in another $50,000.

Adjacent buildings would be town down so the Walgreens could be built.

“That would be fine if they renovated the building, because right now, the building is a mess. It's an eyesore,” said resident Cindy Getcke, who was happy to learn a Walgreens could be built without sacrificing the inn.

“It would be nice to keep the quaint atmosphere in the village and not just look like a strip mall,” said Brenda DeBona, who owns a flower shop across the street.

13WHAM News obtained the Town of Chili’s November 1 response to the settlement proposal. The town suggested further guidelines to the rehabilitation and development of the inn and surrounding property.

The judge has imposed a gag order on all of the parties in the case.

The settlement has not been finalized. Sources say a sticking point is how to fund renovations to the inn.

More Tops...

Price Chopper Store Chain Is Eyeing Tops ; Schenectady-based Price Chopper Operates 115 Stores in Six States
Plain Vanilla Shell

The top executive of the company that runs the Price Chopper supermarket chain acknowledged he is taking a look at Tops Markets.

"We are doing our homework," said Neil Golub, president and chief executive officer of Golub Corp. "We are examining all areas and situations and we will determine what is the right thing for Price Chopper."

Tops' parent company, Royal Ahold, announced Monday the Tops chain was for sale, touching off speculation about potential buyers.

Price Chopper, which is based in Schenectady, operates 115 stores in six states, including New York and Western Pennsylvania. In New York, it has locations as far west as Central New York.

A year ago, Price Chopper acquired six stores from Tops, at a time when Tops was divesting 31 locations in Eastern New York state and the Adirondacks. Those six stores were converted into Price Chopper locations.

While Price Chopper is non-union, thousands of hourly workers at Tops are represented by United Food and Commercial Workers Local One.

It is not known whether one buyer or multiple buyers would acquire Tops' stores from Ahold, which has owned the chain for 15 years. In New York and Pennsylvania, 73 stores operate under the Tops banner, and four others operate under the related banner Martin's Super Food Stores.

A Wegmans spokeswoman said it was too soon to say whether Wegmans might have an interest in the Tops stores. In Western New York in recent years, Wegmans has opted to upgrade or replace its existing stores, rather than expand its presence. Last month, it closed a store near the Walden Galleria, and it now has 10 stores in Erie and Niagara counties.

Even before Ahold's announcement, Tops had placed its 46 Ohio stores up for sale. Giant Eagle, a chain based in Pittsburgh, Pa., has agreed to buy 18 of them.

A Giant Eagle spokesman, Dan Donovan, said Tuesday it was too early to say if the chain might be interested in more Tops stores in light of Ahold's announcement.

"We'll certainly look into this once we have all the paperwork," he said. Giant Eagle is unrelated to Giant of Carlisle, Pa., the Ahold-owned chain that Tops is a division of. Giant Eagle operates stores in four states, but has none in New York state.

New York would be the prime territory for any Tops buyer. While Tops has just four stores in Pennsylvania, it is the market share leader in the Buffalo area and is No. 2 in the Rochester market, behind Wegmans.

Hannaford Bros. last year bought three stores from Tops in the eastern part of New York state. A spokeswoman declined to comment on whether Hannaford would be interested in acquiring the Tops chain.

Maine-based Hannaford operates 158 stores, including 40 in New York, clustered east of the I-81 corridor.

Industry observers have suggested supplier C&S Wholesale Grocers could be a candidate for Tops' stores, at least on an interim basis, to continue to supply them. Last year, New Hampshire-based C&S bought a dozen stores from Tops that were for sale in Eastern New York. A C&S spokesman did not return a call to comment on Tuesday.

P&C also has a significant presence in New York state, in Central New York, the Southern Tier and Eastern New York. Its parent company is Penn Traffic, which also owns Quality Markets. A Penn Traffic spokeswoman said she could not comment on any potential acquisitions.

And could the D and C be looking at our thread?

New Sources for News at Gannett
RNEWS 9

The Gannett Company, which publishes USA Today and the Democrat and Chronicle locally, hopes to attract new readers with ``citizen journalism.'

The Washington Post reports that the Gannett Company plans to join other news sources in creating stories with information from bloggers, people who post In internet discussion groups, and other non-journalists.

Link to City magazine about:

New parking garage for Highland Hospital and plans for the Port of Rochester.

http://www.rochester-citynews.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A4972

ManAboutTown

November 9th, 2006, 08:12 PM

If Donbuy doesn't realize that Hamlin, LeRoy, and Williamson are slow to no-growth hick towns that are not generating economic growth in Greater Rochester, then he really has no business being employed in his field. Donnyboy, Rocaddict was not referring to the growing suburban communities (e.g., Victor, Webster, Pittsford, Henrietta, etc.) that you so love, methinks you need to get your granny panties out of the bunch that they're in.

In other news, the following article is from this week's City Newspaper. Has anyone been to this new joint yet? I checked out the new Solera Wine Bar in the South Wedge this past week and it is fat, I definitely recommend it. I also hear that a new place is opening in High Falls called TriBeCa.

Two for one

The building at 289 Alexander Street, previously known as The Jungle, has been the Jan Brady of local bars for sometime: unsuccessful in making friends and always in the shadow of more attractive venues. Those of us who remember cautiously making our way through the Jungle's twisted and shady layout drunk and scared, fear no more: our former Jan has finally grown up into a Marcia.

Appropriately named Two89, the newly remodeled venue is beautiful: hardwood floors, a ravishing stone fireplace, and posh seating that makes for perfect hideaways. Upstairs reveals another bar tucked behind gothic-like stakes, available for private parties and the sure-to-be-packed nights. A balcony wraps around the second level and gives a birds-eye view of the stunning floor below --- and perhaps the busty blonde at the bar. Two89 is deliciously seductive.

Co-owners Tim Tompkins and Mark Chiarenza teamed up to create something different on A-Street. Chiarenza explains, "We have an excellent martini and wine selection and want to appeal to a higher clientele on Alexander." Both have experience in the bar industry, and their expertise clearly shows. Chiarenza spent time in Buffalo running a bar in Niagara Falls before he met up with Tompkins to craft this venue in Rochester.

Connections never hurt either: Mayor Robert Duffy is set to appear at the grand opening on Thursday, November 16, starting at 5 p.m. The bar has been open since the end of October and hours run from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Check out Two89 --- and since the white stuff is again falling from the sky, I suspect you'll find sitting by the fire most appealing at happy hour.

In other news, new bars are popping up all over Rochester. Either our drinking habits have reached an all-time peak in preparation for winter's onslaught or a scientific study has now shown alcohol to be a health drink. (I suspect it's a combination of the two.) A new bar will join the East End line-up shortly (more on that in upcoming columns), along with the makeover of Oxford's on Monroe. Word on the street is that the new Oxford's will be complementing the adjacent Lola, losing its rough edges for a more modern and clean look. And while some of you dive bar lovers (and who doesn't love a true dive?) will drown your sorrows with that news, be optimistic about the rebirth. Perhaps this is exactly what Rochester needs --- to get laid with a touch of class, even if the dive is a better lover.

RochesterAddict

November 9th, 2006, 08:50 PM

Two for one[/B]

The building at 289 Alexander Street, previously known as The Jungle, has been the Jan Brady of local bars for sometime: unsuccessful in making friends and always in the shadow of more attractive venues. Those of us who remember cautiously making our way through the Jungle's twisted and shady layout drunk and scared, fear no more: our former Jan has finally grown up into a Marcia.

Appropriately named Two89, the newly remodeled venue is beautiful: hardwood floors, a ravishing stone fireplace, and posh seating that makes for perfect hideaways. Upstairs reveals another bar tucked behind gothic-like stakes, available for private parties and the sure-to-be-packed nights. A balcony wraps around the second level and gives a birds-eye view of the stunning floor below --- and perhaps the busty blonde at the bar. Two89 is deliciously seductive.

My buddy went to two89 and said it was nice, he met a girl there too with some class.

Havent heard about Tribeca yet, im interested. I really want to go to Solera, I have heard good things about it. I will say the owner needs to make it more inviting looking from the street though, I drove by Solera, there is barely a sign to let you know its there. All the drapes were closed and they are dark to match the dark building. The owner is obviously excellent with wine, but not with marketing, Id like to speak with him. No one will know its there if he doesnt advertise, either in the newapapers or for free by making the bar easy to notice from the street. I have a friend whom works in Commercial Real Estate who says a Miami club owner originally from Rochester is moving back here and wants to open a club/bar, upscale. She is helping them scout for sites, it might be one of these places?

Also, 81 Club is opening somewhere? I hope its not cheesy.
http://rochester.craigslist.org/ret/229351840.html

the 81 club is hiring...

The 81 club is the newest hotspot in downtown, and it will be open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights starting next month.

We are searching for the hottest bartenders, promoters, shotgirls, security, and managers in Rochester.

We are also looking for graphic designers, and flyer people as well.

We prefer people who attend the local colleges with the ability to draw decent crowds. If you would like to be the Brand Rep for your school, we can also organize an internship for credit.

Please send resumes, a great photo of yourself ( no phone pics), and an explanation of why we should hire you. If you are a designer or marketing person, attach a portfolio with samples.

http://myspace-089.vo.llnwd.net/01374/98/09/1374479089_l.jpg

blangjr21

November 9th, 2006, 09:37 PM

Duffy requests option to buy Midtown

Brian Sharp
Staff writer

(November 9, 2006) — Mayor Robert Duffy wants the option to buy Midtown Plaza and is asking City Council for authority to pay $250,000 ti secure the purchase option while exploring private development possibilities.

The deal would be good through February 2007, giving the city time to evaluate the condition of the property and decide how to proceed. If the city chooses to buy the property, the $250,000 would be applied to an already agreed-upon $6 million purchase price.

“Midtown is in the center of downtown,” city spokesman Gary Walker said of the 8.6 acres off East Main Street. “It is at the heart of our downtown revitalization.”

Duffy sent legislation to City Council today for discussion during committee meetings tonight. Walker said the owner of Midtown approached the city with an interest to sell the property.

Walker said it likely is unrealistic that the city will have a developer in place and ready to buy the property by February should the city proceed. But he said the city is not interested in being a long-term landlord of the downtown fixture.

"What we want to do is have a little time before we make a commitment of this size," Walker said. "Having the option gives us the ability to influence the future of this site."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

uh.....?
talk about a fruit from the random tree, I didn't see this one coming, but I guess we'll see what happens with this one

donbuy

November 9th, 2006, 10:09 PM

[FONT="Trebuchet MS"]If Donbuy doesn't realize that Hamlin, LeRoy, and Williamson are slow to no-growth hick towns that are not generating economic growth in Greater Rochester,"
On a percentage basis they are among the fastest growing communities in the Rochester area over the past 30 years. Compare 1970 to now.

ROCguy

November 9th, 2006, 10:10 PM

True..... but it sounds like a better plan than letting it sit there empty and rot.

donbuy

November 9th, 2006, 10:15 PM

Your understanding of population movements in a metro areas is very naive. People who leave these metros leave form all parts not just the central cities. I understand that perfectly well. My point was that it is only because of the population and demogrphic data for the areas outside the City of Rochester that any national chain even considers the Rochester to begin with. In other parts of the country such as here in Chicago, firms are enticed by the city itself and would be regardless of what is going on outside the city limits. This is also tru for many proosperous cities of a smaller size such as Colombus, Ohio or Indianapolis.

That was my point. I am sorry if you misunderstood, but believe me I know that there are precious few people moving to the Rochester area from parts of the country. I have seen the census data, it clearly shows out-migration exceeds in-migration in the Rochester metro by a very large margin.

BuffCity

November 9th, 2006, 11:35 PM

On a percentage basis they are among the fastest growing communities in the Rochester area over the past 30 years. Compare 1970 to now.

LeRoy is far from a hick town...unless you know the place?

LeRoy is a fairly wealthy little village and sits well on the edge of the Rochester Metro. Many people still commute and with many businesses popping up along the 490 in Bergen...LeRoy is the town that many of these folks live in.

I'm sure Hamlin and Williamson have some qualities as well, but nothing I can attest to.

RochesterAddict

November 9th, 2006, 11:52 PM

City committee to weigh purchase of Midtown
Rochester Business Journal

Rochester Mayor Robert Duffy wants a City Council committee to consider a city purchase of Midtown Plaza for eventual private development, officials said Thursday.
The proposal will be discussed today by the Jobs, Economic Development and Center City Committee, the mayor’s office said in a statement.
“Midtown Plaza is located in the center of our downtown and we have the ability to influence its development,” Duffy said in the statement. “What happens to Midtown Plaza will play a fundamental role in the rebirth of downtown Rochester.
“Any development of Midtown will require local, state and perhaps federal aid and assistance,” he added. “This option plan will allow the city to help find the right development and right developer for this vital downtown property.”
The option would include buying Midtown, whose price is set at $6 million, or $5 per square foot—“substantially below the assessed value,” the statement said.
The city could enter into an option agreement, at a cost of $250,000, with Midtown Rochester Properties LLC to have the sole right to purchase the property through February 2007, the statement said. The city would use that time frame to analyze the property and determine possible development alternatives. If the city decided to proceed with the purchase, the $250,000 would be applied to the $6 million price.
Midtown’s owners have contacted the city with their intention to sell the property and have offered the city the first opportunity to acquire it, the statement said.
“We prefer to take our time before making this commitment,” City Corporation Counsel Thomas Richards said in the statement. “Buying this option secures our ability to influence the future of this 8.6-acre site in the heart of downtown and guide it in the long-term best interest of the city. If a new owner were to purchase the property, we would have diminished capacity to do that.”

Blang, when I sat down with Carlos Carballada (city commissioner of economics), even though he never said it, he very much so hinted towards the fact that the city has spoken with MANY national retailers showing interest in downtown and that they may have a buyer. I mean why would they move forward with this if they didnt have any interest? Of course subsidies would Im sure be part of it all, but what does it matter?

Brighton and Faith Temple settle lawsuit
Democrat and Chronicle

The town of Brighton and Faith Temple have settled a land dispute that will allow for the expansion of Buckland Park and for Faith Temple to build a new church, school and housing for seniors.

Brighton Supervisor Sandra Frankel announced today that under the settlement, Buckland Park will expand from 50 acres to 121 acres. Faith Temple can now move forward with its application for approval of a new church, school and senior housing on 72.5 acres fronting South Winton and Westfall roads.

“It is an exciting day,” Frankel said. “It provides closure and a win-win situation.”

Rev. Stephen Edlin, senior pastor of Faith Temple, said today is a great day for Faith Temple and the community.

“We certainly are excited,” Edlin said. “And we love the community of Brighton. We can’t think of a better place to have our church.”

The settlement means that the town of Brighton will purchase 43 of the 66 acres to the east of the existing Buckland Park and 28 acres to the west for $2.9 million.

The agreement settles a lawsuit Faith Temple filed two years ago against the town.
The town wanted to use eminent domain to purchase close to 70 acres east of Buckland Park.

The church sued in an effort to keep its land.

Now this is awesome, I am so tired of seeing that huge swath of land empty next to 590. The park land and Brighton museum proposed are very nice for the land. And the temple has a GIGANTIC plan proposed, we will see how it changes in the new plans, Im sure the D and C will have the plans soon. The original called for a big temple, a school, and a large assisted living home. They are all very modern and cool looking.

bdaly

November 10th, 2006, 12:12 AM

Blang, when I sat down with Carlos Carballada (city commissioner of economics), even though he never said it, he very much so hinted towards the fact that the city has spoken with MANY national retailers showing interest in downtown and that they may have a buyer. I mean why would they move forward with this if they didnt have any interest? Of course subsidies would Im sure be part of it all, but what does it matter?

I'm not surprised. More people are living downtown. I've never seen Midtown truly look dead. It's volume always looks healthy given what's there--even on Saturdays (when I mainly use the garage for free parking for events). But, no one will move into a building that they fear might later be slated for demolition (why invest into a location if that may occur?), and the maintenance can reflect that--it creates a domino effect. Midtown isn't an enormous mall, so with increased downtown living and projects, I think it can be viable.

So, I hope the city will expedite the process and make a loud and decisive decision on what to do with the property. Office space may be a tough sell, but I think niche retail can succeed. But, right now, it's a lame duck. So growth won't occur at this stage. The current management has even said they're not suited to develop the property.

bayviews

November 10th, 2006, 02:16 AM

I understand that perfectly well. My point was that it is only because of the population and demogrphic data for the areas outside the City of Rochester that any national chain even considers the Rochester to begin with. In other parts of the country such as here in Chicago, firms are enticed by the city itself and would be regardless of what is going on outside the city limits. This is also tru for many proosperous cities of a smaller size such as Colombus, Ohio or Indianapolis.

That was my point. I am sorry if you misunderstood, but believe me I know that there are precious few people moving to the Rochester area from parts of the country. I have seen the census data, it clearly shows out-migration exceeds in-migration in the Rochester metro by a very large margin.

Too often, we make the mistake of seeing cities like donouts, with the good stuff we like surrounding a vacant hole.

Many of the demographic & economic trends you cite are true. Rochester’s not the prosperous corporate boomtown that I remember. Rochester has been losing population while most of its suburbs have enjoyed modest growth. True too that Rochester hasn’t been attracting many newcomers, either domestic migrants or immigrants. That’s also the case for the whole Rochester metro. Sure, Rochester’s been hurt by the layoffs at Kodak, Xerox, Kodak & other major employers & it’s reflected in stagnation since 2000. That’s true though for the whole region, not just the city.

But I’ve found that long-term trends are more important than short-term data like monthly job growth figures or annual population estimates. Overall, over the past several decades, Rochester has enjoyed the most growth of any major upstate metro. If Rochester gets Renaissance Square off the drawing boards, with the community college, performing arts center, & other proposed cultural activities & projects, that will really be a boost to Rochester’s downtown & city neighborhoods as well as to the whole region.

Keep in mind that in the 1970s & 1980s, Chicago too was experiencing rustbelt decline. Sears was leading a corporate exodus to the Chicago’s suburbs. The Wall Street Journal branded Chicago “Beirut by the Lake”. But you see Chicago today! Earlier this year, the Economist magazine even ran a special issue on Chicago’s rebound. Other smaller Northeastern cities show the way. In long declining Providence RI, city growth has outpaced suburban growth. Hartford CT, a downsized corporate city akin to Rochester was in deep trouble a decade ago, but it’s on the way back. Newark NJ, long written off an urban basket case has seen a remarkable rebound.

If they make the right choices, cities like Rochester can comeback too. So let’s not write Rochester, the city, as the hole in the donout!

ROCguy

November 10th, 2006, 04:40 AM

On a percentage basis they are among the fastest growing communities in the Rochester area over the past 30 years. Compare 1970 to now.

The fastest growing towns in the Rochester metro area are Victor and Webster.

RochesterAddict

November 10th, 2006, 08:54 PM

http://cmsimg.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A2&Date=20061110&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=611100400&Ref=AR&Profile=1003&MaxW=550&MaxH=430
Once the vital center of downtown, the six-building Midtown Plaza complex has been vacated by many retail and office tenants. Mayor Robert Duffy says short-term ownership could protect the city's interest in its future use.

http://cmsimg.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A2&Date=20061110&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=611100400&Ref=V2&Profile=1003&MaxW=550&MaxH=430
Midtown was a cutting-edge venture when it opened in early ’60s, the nation’s first indoor shopping-office complex.

Buy Midtown? Duffy interested

City might pay $6 million to guide its redevelopment
Democrat and Chronicle

The idea of the city buying Midtown Plaza was sure to spark comparisons to the high-speed ferry, and it did.

But Mayor Robert Duffy and his administration — who announced Thursday that they are exploring a $6 million purchase of the failing downtown fixture — argue that the property is critical to downtown revitalization and probably cannot come back on its own.

A decadelong decline has so gutted Midtown's value that a private buyer could turn a profit just by parking cars in the plaza, city officials said. They insist that they have no interest in long-term ownership, instead wanting to leverage outside financial support and guide Midtown's redevelopment by the private sector.

"This is the middle of our city," said Thomas Richards, the city's corporation counsel, of the six buildings on 8.6 acres along East Main Street. "There is no way for the city to turn its back ..., and the owners have made clear they are going to sell."

City Council is scheduled to vote Tuesday on whether to authorize Duffy to sign a $250,000 option agreement, fixing the purchase terms and setting a deadline of Feb. 13 for the city to act. The $250,000 could be applied to the purchase price.

The 90-day option gives the city time to evaluate the condition of the buildings and estimate future expenses. Duffy wrote to City Council that Midtown already had attracted a private buyer. He did not elaborate.

The six Midtown buildings date from 1901 to the 1970s and include one built in 1962 that officials claim is the nation's first enclosed shopping mall. The city owns the underground parking garage.

Midtown's value has fallen from $40 million in 1997 to less than $15 million in December 2002. Vacancy rates range from 11 percent to 90 percent.

"It is time to really take a bold step forward. We want to control our destiny downtown," Duffy said. While recognizing a sentimental attachment to Midtown, the mayor made clear, "This is a business decision."

Questions to be answered include how much money Midtown might be losing, with a major tenant, JP Morgan Chase & Co., moving out next year.

There also is the question of how the city will come up with $6 million.

Duffy said he is not interested in demolition, although questions remain about the cost of renovating the asbestos-filled structures. An Urban Land Institute study last year recommended razing four of the six buildings. The city has hired Bergmann Associates for up to $50,000 to evaluate the property, with a report expected in mid-December.

"That's scary to me," City Councilman Adam McFadden said. "To some people, $300,000 may not be a lot. But to some neighborhoods in this city, $300,000 could mean a turnaround. And I'm thinking about the ferry. If there's anything that might be an anchor to the ferry, it might be Midtown Plaza."

The city still is trying to sell the high-speed ferry after shutting down the failed venture earlier this year. Taxpayers will spend 15 years paying off the debt, estimated at $28 million, including interest.

City Council's Jobs, Economic Development and Center City Committee recommended 3-1 on Thursday night, with McFadden voting no, that the full Council give Duffy the go-ahead. Duffy would have to come back to City Council for separate approval to buy Midtown.

Lawrence Cohen, principal of Midtown Properties LLC, the entity created by Blackacre Capital LLC of New York City to manage the complex, said in a statement that he was "pleased" to offer the city the option and a purchase price he claimed was well below fair market value.

"We would like to see decisions about Midtown's future remain in local hands," said a statement from Cohen, a Rochester native. He was not available for further comment.

Blackacre brought in Cohen to help manage the mall in December 2001 after receiving the property in bankruptcy proceedings. Cohen made some strides in stabilizing the mall, but tenants steadily left.

Commercial brokers and developers say Blackacre was likely ready to sell after losing JP Morgan Chase & Co.

"You sit there and collect those (rental) checks, and when the checks stop you start to think about the next step for the project," said Andrew Dollinger, a retail real estate broker with C.B. Richard Ellis. He said Chase was the "last bit of serious income that was coming in."

Midtown options

Retail analyst Eugene Fram, a marketing professor at Rochester Institute of Technology, said he was skeptical that national retailers would be interested in downtown Rochester. Fram said downtown needs a large population base to attract big retailers. "Retail is well-established in the suburbs. From the consumer point of view, there is easy access to the shopping malls." He added that the type of retail that might work downtown is smaller, niche businesses offering products that can't be found elsewhere.

Duffy reiterated Thursday that he would not support putting a casino in Midtown. Neither will a reworked Midtown bring back a Wegmans store.

Wegmans Food Markets Inc., which in 1995 closed the Midtown store it had operated since 1962, has no interest in returning to downtown, Wegmans spokeswoman Jo Natale said Thursday.

Natale said Wegmans' success is based on operating large, high-volume stores. "We are not changing our focus."

Former Midtown owner Ken McCurdy, whose father built the mall, said Midtown could be salvaged with a partial conversion to residential space. "Downtown housing is booming right now."

Janet Galligan, 75, who operates two Fauna's Gifts & Collectibles shops in the mall, recalls going downtown with her family to enjoy the sights and sounds. "It was the most exciting thing to see the heart of the city so beautiful," she said.

If the city were to buy the mall, the owners would be vested in its future, she said. "The people themselves are going to have a say in what's happening."

Officials encouraged

Heidi Zimmer-Meyer, president of the Rochester Downtown Development Corp., cheered the plan. Her organization sponsored the Urban Land Institute study that recommended partial demolition to make way for a mix of housing, street-level retail and public park space.

Zimmer-Meyer said Duffy's plan "allows those discussions to move forward."

Sandy Parker, head of the Rochester Business Alliance, said Duffy alerted her to his plan Thursday morning. She said she is intrigued by the idea. "In order for downtown to be revitalized, something has got to happen to Midtown."

Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks said the city is right to pursue the purchase, calling Midtown the "poster child" for what has stalled redevelopment downtown.

"Having the property in local control is better than the unknown of an outside entity buying it, taking it over and not doing anything with it," she said.

Brooks said there are no plans to link Renaissance Square with Midtown, but a change at Midtown could complement the $230 million project. The county is leading the development nearby of Renaissance Square, which will have space for a Monroe Community College satellite campus, a performing arts center and a bus terminal.

RGH holds groundbreaking on new ER
Democrat and Chronicle

Officials from Rochester General Hospital are holding a groundbreaking this morning for the hospital’s $38 million emergency department and cardiac services expansion.

The project will almost double beds in the emergency department and provide a home for the Rochester Heart Institute at RGH. The current emergency department was only designed to help about 50,000 patients a year, but served 84,000 patients in 2005.

B. Thomas Golisano gave $9 million towards the project — hence its new name once it’s finished, the B. Thomas Golisano Pavilion and Emergency Center.

The project is expected to take at least a couple of years to complete.

ROCguy

November 11th, 2006, 11:23 PM

Today is my last day of being a minor...... hell yes! I'm also pretty sure now that we are going to Rochester for christmas. I'm going to tell you right now, it had better be a white christmas in Rochester this year. I haven't had a white Christmas since 1997. Also. I saw something interesting today on Wikipedia; Kodak is apparently only the number 3 employer in the area now. Again, this is wikipedia, so the numbers can be taken with a grain of sailt. But this is the breakdown on their article on Rochester for the region's top 5 employers.

University of Rochester/Strong Health—17,075
Wegmans Food Markets, Inc.—14,897
Eastman Kodak—14,100
Xerox—8,450
ViaHealth—6,565

RochesterAddict

November 13th, 2006, 08:50 PM

Happy B-day Rocguy.

Midtown Mall up for sale; ideas for development surfacing
WHEC 10

Watch the video, it will show you a lot!: http://whec.com/newspoll.asp?template=item&story_id=20730

The city of Rochester is interested in buying the ailing Midtown Mall and it's triggering a lot of speculation about its future. Some say the answer may lie in Midtown Tower. If you've lived in Rochester awhile, you probably remember the Top of the Plaza Restaurant, a top nightspot when downtown was livelier. There was also a hotel at the top of the tower. Now the tower is virtually empty, as countless corporate tenants have moved out. So what could move in?
Over the last several years, downtown Rochester has seen a resurgence of residential living. From behind the old Hallman's Chevrolet showroom, to loft apartments and warehouse conversions. About 50,000 people work downtown and about 3,600 people actually live downtown, and that number is growing. Experts say retail will follow residential. “I think there's no question that there are many of us who have felt, and the national experts that were brought in from outside, that any re-casting of this block needs to lead with housing,” said Heidi Zimmer-Meyer of the Rochester Downtown Development Corporation.
What most people think of as Midtown Plaza actually connects several downtown buildings. “The Midtown Tower piece is the tallest. It's about 17 stories. And it did have a former hotel and the like in it. And the opportunity to capture the height of that building, which we don't build in cities that tall anymore, would be very advantageous particularly for market rate housing. So the opportunity to do that is probably pretty great with that building,” said Zimmer-Meyer.
Jim Costanza, the President of Costanza Enterprises, has converted the former Baptist Temple Building across from the Liberty Pole into market rate housing of 40 units. Some even have a view of Lake Ontario. He says residential is a big part of the solution for ailing downtown. “I think you have to look at two possible residential markets. One is owner-occupied. The other is rental and I think in midtown's case, owner-occupied may be even more viable than rental,” said Costanza.
Another well-known local developer, Larry Glazer, says "Tearing down Midtown Plaza is a mistake. I think Midtown is recyclable. I have also been looking at the tower and there is opportunity there too."
Among the possible drawbacks is the asbestos abatement that comes with renovating older buildings. “Right now at this point, the market supply has really met the demand. And for us to get into the second phase, I think we need some sort of a catalyst downtown. And midtown could very well be that catalyst,” said Costanza.
A spokesman for Mayor Bob Duffy told News 10NBC, that the idea of turning Midtown tower into residential hasn't really been discussed. The city is leaving that up to a future developer at this point.

http://cmsimg.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A2&Date=20061113&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=611130330&Ref=AR&Profile=1003&MaxW=550&MaxH=430

Turning the Corners
Brighton's central plaza undergoing an overhaul
Democrat and Chronicle

Twelve Corners Plaza looks a bit bleak with its empty storefronts and its snarled parking lot, but Kathryn Jensen knows what she has to look forward to.

The aroma of Panera Bread. More parking spaces. A larger Starbucks Coffee and better landscaping.

"Since we know that is what's coming, it helps," said Jensen, whose family makes its way to the almost-renovated plaza about once a day. "It's our town square."

By mid-December, the retail hot spot will have more of a town square feel. Common areas will be added. Back entrances will be spruced up.

And hopefully more shoppers will come, thanks to new stores and better traffic flow, said Jerry Cohen, manager of GDC Randolph Crossing LLC, which owns the plaza.

"It's going to be a much more vibrant shopping center," Cohen said from his office in Massachusetts. "People will find it a better experience."

In a desirable place like Twelve Corners, where close to 20,000 vehicles a day pass on Monroe Avenue, Cohen probably won't have a problem attracting tenants to the newly updated plaza. But Brighton and most of the other inner-ring suburbs won't be seeing the growth of places like Henrietta, which is bustling and still has plenty of land for new businesses.

Near The Marketplace mall in Henrietta, daily traffic counts come close to 35,000 on Jefferson Road between West Henrietta Road and Hylan Drive. A new shopping plaza called Market Square just added four stores and a restaurant, and a handful of other restaurants have opened in just the last month.

Brighton is 80 percent to 85 percent developed, said town Supervisor Sandra Frankel. And what isn't developed is already accounted for in the town's comprehensive plan, so businesses basically have to choose from what's already zoned commercial. On Monroe Avenue that can mean older homes that have been converted into places of business or smaller outdoor malls, such as Twelve Corners Plaza.

Still, the stretch of Monroe Avenue that passes through portions of the city, Brighton and Pittsford offers more square footage of shopping space than at any of the large indoor malls, Frankel said, and business is good and hopefully getting better.

Obviously, the renovations at the plaza will help, she said, but the town has also invested in that area by adding old-fashioned street lighting and more landscaping at Twelve Corners Memorial Park, plus benches, a pergola and a chess table. Nearby schools also have made improvements in the last few years, "and it has all spurred resurgence in our town center."

The Twelve Corners area, where South Winton Road and Elmwood and Monroe avenues intersect, has been the heart of Brighton since the city annexed the village of Brighton in 1905, Frankel said.

Even one of historic Brighton's best-known industries — brick making — was once located there.

Today's businesses still find the neighborhood attractive.

Already, Starbucks has agreed to move to a larger location in the plaza in late January. Panera Bread will open in December, and a mutual fund store and a FedEx Kinko's have signed on — leaving one spot empty. Cohen hopes to get that filled by February.

"It's definitely where retailers want to be," said John Antetomaso, the newly elected president of the Greater Rochester Association of Realtors. "It's very difficult to get commercial space that is that visible."

There are drawbacks, or at least factors that business owners stop and consider, he said.

For example, the layout and traffic patterns don't really lend themselves to many drive-throughs, and square footage is limited.

The improvements at the plaza included taking out some store square footage to make room for outdoor improvements, prompting Music Lovers to move from the plaza to a larger spot at 2229 Monroe Ave.

The store lost a bit of the traffic, but in exchange it was able to stay the size it was used to and offer better parking, said manager Mark Reynolds.

"A lot of people comment on how much nicer it is here," he said. "It's easier to get out of the parking lot and people (at the Twelve Corners site) always complained about the parking."

Cohen said he is hopeful many of those complaints will go away when renovations are completed. Nine parking spots will be added, along with traffic flow improvements.

Sometimes Jensen walks or rides her bike to the Twelve Corners Plaza, but even when she drives it isn't that bad, she said, especially once a person gets used to the easiest ways to get in and out.

"People get intimidated about driving downtown (in Rochester), watching for one-way streets," she said, adding that downtown is easy to navigate once a person is used to it. It's the same with the Twelve Corners. "Don't be intimidated."

Business owner Sandy Furia welcomes the traffic near her shop, B. Younique.

"I'm excited that they are finally filling in spots that have been empty for a couple of years," said Furia, who has had her upscale boutique at the plaza for six years.

"Anything new generates excitement, and that generates people."

Solera Wine Bar now open on South Avenue
Democrat and Chronicle

Solera Wine Bar opened over the weekend at 647 South Ave., making it the newest addition to the South Wedge district.
http://solerawinebar.com/

Film fest boffo at box office
Democrat and Chronicle

It was a "wrap" Sunday night for the sixth annual High Falls Film Festival, and its promoters called it the most successful yet.

Although exact figures haven't been compiled, the festival's artistic director, Catherine Wyler, said, "It's been the best yet, with several sellouts and enthusiastic crowds.

"People have begun to see you might have to arrive early to avoid being shut out of a film," Wyler added.

She praised the sophistication of the Rochester audience, as well. "Among the sellouts were a little Australian film about Aborigines and a film from Lebanon."

"And we're definitely in the black," Wyler said.

In fact, John Richardson, president of the festival's board, had said earlier that planners' goal was to be out of the red by 2005, the fifth year. "And we made it by the third year."

Though the festival officially ended Sunday night, it offers an epilogue of sorts tonight: The fest's most popular narrative film and documentary will each be shown at the Little Theatre. (The winners are chosen by film-goers' ballots submitted over the course of the festival )

Wyler said visiting festival-goers from other fests, including Telluride and the Hamptons festival, told her they were impressed with the caliber of celebrities who appeared over the fest's five days. While the fest doesn't offer a major superstar, Wyler admitted, it presents an impressive range of quality filmmakers.

The sixth edition, for example, handed its prestigious Susan B. Anthony Award to an Oscar-nominated director (Agnieszka Holland); a Golden Globe and Emmy-winning actress (Shirley Knight); a producer whose films, including X-Men, have put her in Hollywood's elite $1 billion box office club (Lauren Shuler Donner); and a younger actress in a successful midcareer (Famke Janssen).

Shuler Donner was interviewed Sunday afternoon on the stage of the Dryden Theatre and told the audience she was happy that High Falls honors women in film. Women are becoming increasingly prominent in all the filmmaking professions, from cinematography to producing, she said. Her husband, veteran director Richard Donner, agreed.

The Donners, by the way, used their filmmaking Q&A event to also make a plea for freedom for the two elephants at the Seneca Park Zoo. Both are active in the fight for animal rights and track the status of animals in captivity.

"Zoos are no place for elephants," Donner said. He is currently preparing a film about youngsters who free a baby elephant and escort it to a nature preserve in northern California. They said the film will have a lot in common with their hit, Free Willy, which spotlighted a whale in a similar circumstance.

The weekend also saw strong attendance at other seminars, including a sold-out presentation Saturday at the Dryden by production designer Stuart Craig, an Oscar-winning artist responsible for the "look" of Gandhi, The English Patient, Richard Donner's Superman, and the recent Harry Potter films.

The festival went back to the past for its finale Sunday, an evening screening at the Dryden of a 1928 silent film, Lonesome, enhanced by a live performance by the Alloy Orchestra, a band with a reputation for bringing zest to silent film presentations.

Susie

November 13th, 2006, 09:40 PM

Well it's official now. We have fallen out of the list on the nations top 75 markets. We are now number 78 just barely ahead of number 79 Syracuse.

http://atlantasouth.2.forumer.com/index.php?showtopic=292

RochesterAddict

November 13th, 2006, 10:12 PM

M.A.T. - I hit Club two89 on Fri nite, wow what a nice place it is. They spent mucho $ on the inside, it has a great feel to it. Music was awful, but the place was great, they do need a better beer selection though. No not a home run, but still a nice place.

Well it's official now. We have fallen out of the list on the nations top 75 markets. We are now number 78 just barely ahead of number 79 Syracuse.

Im confused, how do you know that we were ever in the top 75? Maybe we have always been in that position, or perhaps our population is educated enough that they prefer to read, than watch the boob tube. I maybe watch 4 hours of tv a week, because there are so many things to do in Rochester, that I dont have time to watch tv.

Where is the imaginary headline of a fake story saying that we fell in the rankings?

I just spoke to Alicia, the Friday night DJ on 98PXY and she quoted me that Rochester radio ranks 51 out of all markets nationally for listenership and advertising sales. She is excited to work in our market. She unfortunately is moving to Monterey, CA next month to host a morning show there (which ranks 100) but she hopes to work her way back up to a higher salary and higher market like Rochester in the future. Right now she is young and has to start somewhere.

Are there any other imaginary stats you may have?

Susie

November 13th, 2006, 10:39 PM

Im confused, how do you know that we were ever in the top 75? Maybe we have always been in that position, or perhaps our population is educated enough that they prefer to read, than watch the boob tube. I maybe watch 4 hours of tv a week, because there are so many things to do in Rochester, that I dont have time to watch tv.

Are there any other imaginary stats you may have?

You are not confused you are stupid. The link I provided was to Nielson Media, they are the experts on media market size. They are more influential and knowlwdgeable than your nightclub girlfriend. They said we were number 78th in size then it must be so. That means available housholds not just those tuned in. So your, "perhaps we are too educated to watch TV" lame spin is a useless and downright pathetic excuse.

bdaly

November 13th, 2006, 11:29 PM

I don't really feel like taking the time to dig real deep into the DMA term. But, I did Wikipedia it. And, I found this link:

http://www.nielsenmedia.com/DMAs.html

One issue RochesterAddict brought up was that you said it fell downward in the ranking. Whereas, it instead appears that Rochester moved ahead of Syracuse (Syracuse was 76th while Rochester was 79th for '05-'06).

So, you too need to be careful with spin. I don't think this was quite the find that you hoped it was.

Susie

November 14th, 2006, 12:08 AM

[QUOTE=bdaly;10466214]One issue RochesterAddict brought up was that you said it fell downward in the ranking. Whereas, it instead appears that Rochester moved ahead of Syracuse (Syracuse was 76th while Rochester was 79th for '05-'06).
/[QUOTE]

2002 Rochester #71
2006 Rochester #78
That my friend is a drop

http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:eYUGnVV9pPsJ:www.medialifemagazine.com/news2001/aug01/aug20/4_thurs/news1thursday.html+%22nielsen%22+television+market+rochester+2002&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=2

bdaly

November 14th, 2006, 12:15 AM

Ah, so we're comparing '02 to '06. Interesting selection of dates. I, however, was comparing this year to last year--it tends to be a more accepted comparison. But, I'm glad you adjusted your signature. The previous one that highlighted Syracuse being so close to Rochester was a good laugh when you turned out to just be highlighting how Rochester passed Syracuse this year over last. It was nice seeing a positive Rochester signature from you, even if it was totally accidental.

But, anyways, Rochester probably fell this year compared to '85 or '66. So you can use that too. Boy, talk about spin--I'm not surprised you quoted something from a Lonbserry show weeks ago. But, this is silly anyways. It's back to your obsession with comparing upstate cities...

RochesterAddict

November 14th, 2006, 01:24 AM

You are not confused you are stupid. The link I provided was to Nielson Media, they are the experts on media market size.

You provided a link to an Atlanta blog, He provided a link to the Nielsen site.
Your Atlanta blog, in my link is nefarious for lies, read what was posted here. It is not a credible news source.

http://atlantasouth.2.forumer.com/index.php?showtopic=593

Ok Im sorry, I had to act like a 2 year old, its fun to be someone you are not sometimes!

bdaly

November 14th, 2006, 06:34 AM

You provided a link to an Atlanta blog, He provided a link to the Nielsen site.
Your Atlanta blog, in my link is nefarious for lies, read what was posted here. It is not a credible news source.

http://atlantasouth.2.forumer.com/index.php?showtopic=593

I don't necessarily doubt what was posted on the forum. But, I find it entertaining that the initial tone when that link was posted was one that implied that Rochester was slipping and another area was gaining. It led to a post on another forum and a new signature with comparative rankings was created in support of that. Once the previous year's numbers were uncovered (the ones used for '05-'06) and it actually showed that Rochester improved ranking-wise and the other city slipped, it appears some Google digging led to posting 2002's numbers and a signature change out of desperation.

It's just a question of credibility of the poster, and that sequence of events puts it further into question. While many of us are on the positive side and don't rush post every little piece of negative news possible, we're willing to make certain concessions. Here, an assumption was made, it turned out to be false, and instead of admitting it like most of us would, 2002 figures from a forum were dug up so the conclusion could be saved. This comes straight from a partisan politican's or newstation's playbook. Some will go to any length to save face. But, a little simple homework would have prevented all of the fancy footwork there. Rochester gained over last year and lost ground from 2002--there it is. Even this year's numbers are old news at this point as they were released two months ago. But, at least she saved a little face by finding the '02 numbers cached away....

On a more positive note, after eating at the Village Gate, I was lucky enough to be leaving as a free jazz performance was starting. It was a great performance and The Bop Shop (bopshop.com) sponsors them every so often. So it's worth checking out.

bdaly

November 14th, 2006, 06:44 AM

Film fest boffo at box office
Democrat and Chronicle

It was a "wrap" Sunday night for the sixth annual High Falls Film Festival, and its promoters called it the most successful yet.

Although exact figures haven't been compiled, the festival's artistic director, Catherine Wyler, said, "It's been the best yet, with several sellouts and enthusiastic crowds.

Definitely great to hear on attendance as some were worried this years lineup wouldn't be as good of a draw as the last two. I didn't catch many this year as I had conflicts with the movies that interested me. I did hit the gala at Artisan Works though and it was well attended and well done. There were a number of out-of-town guests there also. This festival seems to keep gaining steam. Festivals like this and the Jazz Fest help add draws to the area while building Rochester's name in the respective communities (music and film). It's great to see. Kudos to the organizers.

BuffCity

November 14th, 2006, 08:26 AM

so whats the Rochester Americans record so far this year?

bdaly

November 14th, 2006, 03:47 PM

so whats the Rochester Americans record so far this year?
12-1, which is best in the AHL. The Amerks are playing their third string goalie right now, and he's playing well for them. They're strong in net, which is an important piece of the puzzle for them.

Susie

November 14th, 2006, 04:27 PM

I don't necessarily doubt what was posted on the forum. But, I find it entertaining that the initial tone when that link was posted was one that implied that Rochester was slipping

If you would prefer I could look up the rankings from 1990 when we were still in the top 60!

RochesterAddict

November 14th, 2006, 04:44 PM

If you would prefer I could look up the rankings from 1990 when we were still in the top 60!

Did you know that this is 2006, not 1956? The world has changed a lot since 1990. In 1990 3 people lived in Charlotte, NC. Now it is a metro of 1+ million people. Im happy with the size of Rochester and our television market size. (As if anyone cares?) (Im moving today! #78, my god, my life is over.)

Susie

November 14th, 2006, 05:02 PM

Did you know that this is 2006, not 1956? The world has changed a lot since 1990. In 1990 3 people lived in Charlotte, NC. Now it is a metro of 1+ million people.

Actually in 1990 Charlotte was as big as Rochester now it is bigger than Buffalo. Who ever said anything about 1956. Back then we were in the top 30.

RochesterAddict

November 14th, 2006, 06:56 PM

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e255/corinth940/national_1280.gif

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e255/corinth940/TVMarkets.gif

I just thought this was interesting. Look how big Denver's metro area is.

Susie

November 14th, 2006, 07:18 PM

I just thought this was interesting. Look how big Denver's metro area is.

These are meaningless , they are made up entirely of people that logged onto that particular internet site and voted. They have no scientific or governmental backup whatsoever. Plus you can vote more than once.

veryprotourism

November 14th, 2006, 07:20 PM

rocaddict, you should note that those are not indictive of metro areas, but of "sphere of influence" ie. advertising/media market's reach.

denver's market reaches far beyond the limits of its metro. more so than other cities because of its geographic isolation from other major cities.

Roc-the-City

November 14th, 2006, 09:36 PM

http://picasaweb.google.com/ddominion/RochesterPhotos

The fastest growing cities usually have tourism at its core. Rochester has never really been serious in developing and marketing its many assets to attract tourist into Rochester. Finally, the city recently opened a "World Class" bike trail that cuts through the center of Rochester. Its the "Genesee River Bikeway" and starts at the Port of Rochester on Lake Ontario and goes 7 miles south to Downtown Rochester. The Genesee River trail is completely paved...off-road bikeway that snakes along the river giving views of two major waterfalls, a couple marinas, 1/2 mile pier into lake Ontario, High Falls entertainment district and several other parks along the way. The newest segment is a 3/4 mile long bridge that straddles the Genesee River giving outstanding views. I travel extensively across America and I am not aware of any comparable urban bikeway!

Click on the above site to view 57 photos that were taken along the bikeway. The best way to view the photos is to click on the "slideshow" tab on top.

The Genesee River throught the city of Rochester is an outstanding asset that exist that very few local residents are aware of. Hopefully, this trail will raise the visability of Rochester.

ROCguy

November 15th, 2006, 12:54 AM

Welcome Roc-the-city. This thread is about 99% bickering between Rochesteraddict and Susie now, but we welcome any actual discussion about Rochester! After all, we are all adults here. :)

BuffCity

November 15th, 2006, 03:09 AM

Buffalo people troll this thread too! lol

veryprotourism

November 15th, 2006, 06:41 AM

Welcome Roc-the-city. This thread is about 99% bickering between Rochesteraddict and Susie now, but we welcome any actual discussion about Rochester! After all, we are all adults here. :)

this thread has largely been bickering between -insert name here- and susie at one point or another.

RochesterAddict

November 15th, 2006, 07:09 PM

City Council Moves Ahead with Midtown Option
13 WHAM

The city of Rochester has taken the first step to possibly owning Midtown Plaza.

The City Council voted Tuesday night 6-3 in favor of an option to buy the struggling property. The city now has three months to figure out what they would like to do with midtown and whether it wants to go through with the sale.

They also approved hiring an engineering firm to evaluate Midtown's mechanics, electrics, and construction at a cost of $55,000.

Mayor Robert Duffy felt the Council needed to act fast or lose out to another unnamed developer. The deposit will hold the massive Midtown complex for three months at a price of $6 million.

Some Questions
Councilman Adam McFadden was one of three who voted against the option. Before the vote, he was apprehensive about what the city might be getting into.

“I just don't have enough information and $250,000 is a lot of money,” he said, adding he has not seen any studies or other information about the property.

Heidi Zimmer-Meyer, head of the Rochester Downtown Development Corporation said the city must use the next few months to evaluate the risks involved with such an undertaking.

“We have different kinds of risks to contemplate with a property this big and this significant,” she said.

Her questions include: How much will Midtown cost to operate? Should any buildings be demolished or sold separately? What kind of development should go there? What if the city stands by and does nothing?

And that’s just for starters.

“We need some time to figure all that out,” she said.

When asked if three months is enough, Zimmer-Meyer replied, “No, I don't think it is.”

Watch video here: http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=3A9EA7B4-2CBB-4DB8-A9D2-A69EB96FFDCA

Area receives '5-Star' ranking
Democrat and Chronicle

The Rochester region has been named a "5-Star Logistics Metro" by Expansion Management and Logistics Today magazines in a recently published study that compares more than 360 Metropolitan Statistical Areas in 10 major categories related to transportation infrastructure.

"This '5-Star' ranking is one more honor recognizing the Rochester region as a true contender when it comes to attracting and retaining new businesses," Dennis Mullen, interim president and CEO of Greater Rochester Enterprise, said in a statement.

Tourism focus of meeting
Democrat and Chronicle

Rochester-area tourism professionals will meet Thursday with legislators to discuss Rochester's plans to boost tourism. The 5:30 p.m. meeting at the Hyatt Regency, 125 E. Main St., comes at a time when hotel occupancy in Rochester has jumped 10 percent compared with the same time period last year, according to Smith Travel Research data.

The event is sponsored by the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association, the Greater Rochester Visitors Association and the Rochester Hotel Association.

Protourism...here u go...

Susie

November 15th, 2006, 07:26 PM

[Area receives '5-Star' ranking
Democrat and Chronicle

The Rochester region has been named a "5-Star Logistics Metro" by Expansion Management and Logistics Today magazines in a recently published study that compares more than 360 Metropolitan Statistical Areas in 10 major categories related to transportation infrastructure.

Along with more than 70 other metros including every NY State metro plus scores of others including the likes of Colombia, SC and Peoria, IL. It's not really much of an accomplishment!

See the complete list;
http://www.expansionmanagement.com/SMO/DOCRESERVE/DOCRESERVE_CONTENT/1-LIST%20OF%205-STAR%20METROS.PDF

sargeantcm

November 15th, 2006, 07:57 PM

Ahh, more shittin' on Columbia. lol

Yeah, it's got parts that make Buffalo's east side look like a day care, but it would be my pick if I ever had to move south...

ROCguy

November 15th, 2006, 10:00 PM

this thread has largely been bickering between -insert name here- and susie at one point or another.

That's a good point. It used to be me. lol

Susie

November 15th, 2006, 10:03 PM

That's a good point. It used to be me. lol

I would never argue with you, you are a good soul.:)

ROCguy

November 15th, 2006, 10:10 PM

Ahh, more shittin' on Columbia. lol

Yeah, it's got parts that make Buffalo's east side look like a day care, but it would be my pick if I ever had to move south...

Bite your tongue!

sargeantcm

November 16th, 2006, 12:25 AM

Bite your tongue!
Believe me, there are about 100 places within an area bounded roughly by Chicago and NYC, Buffalo, and DC in which I would choose first. Factor #1 being climate.

It'll never happen, I wouldn't let it.

ROCguy

November 16th, 2006, 10:20 PM

Oh ok then. So, I am now thoroughly and completely convinced that it is the truth that people from Upstate NY are more sophisticated and civil than those from the NYC area (I know, I know, this is news to no one here). But man, I had an experience today that definitely put any qualms about that theory to rest. I also see that it was 68 degrees in Rochester today.... 5 degrees warmer than it was down here.

blangjr21

November 16th, 2006, 11:17 PM

October 2005: 515,900
October 2006: 514,300
Net change: -1,600

Closer to breaking even, and 5,100 jobs were added since September, of course we can attribute that to Seasonal jobs most likely. Either way things are slowly (and I emphasize slowly, changing.)

ManAboutTown

November 17th, 2006, 12:07 AM

Blangjr, we need to spin the numbers however we can to make 'em positive for us. That 5,100 job gain, seasonal or not, is better than Buffalo (4,800), Syracuse (2,900), Albany (3,900), and all the other upstate metros. While I take the CES monthly estimates with a pound of salt, I'll spin this as further proof that we have emerged from the dark ages and have returned to our lofty position as the jewel of upstate NY.

BTW, what a beautiful sunset this evening. I had to stop working and admire the view from my office here in the west end of downtown. We certainly deserved it after all the rain today.

Ishamael

November 17th, 2006, 01:14 AM

I'm not so sure Rochester is the "jewel" of upstate. I've lived in Buffalo my whole life and lord know's I'm aware of the reputation we have.

That being said I've never really thought too much about Rochester. I've always assumed that the big 3 "real" upstate cities were all pretty much the same, just different scales. I suppose the only thing I find wierd about Rochester is their seemingly endless fixation about being the best upstate city and I never understood why. I have a hard time with the so called "elite" from Rochester bad mouthing everyone else when they have to place the Buffalo sports teams and the fucking NYS Fair in "Local News." It's local alright, just not for you.

That said, look at the upstate cities as three ships all moving in the same direction. The biggest one is always the slowest to turn around, but you better watch out when it finally turns the corner and picks up steam. Based on what I've seen. Syracuse is growing the fastest right now economically, followed by Rochester and Buffalo is finally starting to turn the corner.

With all the money going into downtown lately I think the only "jewel" really starting to be polished is Buffalo. I'm not knocking Rochester or Syracuse, but when these projects are finished and companies start to look back to the old, established upstate cities I think you'll see a lot of people flock back to Buffalo.

CiceroClark

November 17th, 2006, 01:57 AM

This is not going to happen, but I'd love to see Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse all with metros over 1,000,000. Not only would it be really unique to have three metros... all lined up on a highway... all almost the same size, but it would be more fun to have the rivalries. It's not really fun comparing Syracuse's metro at only 650,000 with Rochester and Buffalo which are both 1,100,000+.

Too bad Albany looks to be that third 1,000,000+ metro in Upstate. The Albany metro has grown over 100,000 since 1970, now approaching 900,000. Meanwhile, the Syracuse Metropolitan Area only grew 15,000 during the last 35 years.:ohno:

ROCguy

November 17th, 2006, 04:12 AM

Albany doesn't count. It's city population isn't even in the 6 figures! It only has a large metro because of the dumptowns Troy and Schenectedy are included. Also. I have to say, I find something "interesting" about the way they word the job figures for the Rochester and Buffalo metros...have a look.

Private sector employment in the Rochester metropolitan area declined 2,300, or 0.5 percent, to 431,100 over the year ending October 2006. Employment gains in educational and health services (+3,700) were more than offset by losses in manufacturing (-3,400), construction (-900), trade, transportation and utilities (-700) professional and business services (-400), and leisure and hospitality (-400).

Private sector employment in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls MSA decreased by 1,800 to 457,800, over the 12 months ending October 2006. Job gains were centered in professional and business services (+1,500), educational and health services (+1,300), and other services (+200). (total lack of percentage lost or anything close to "more than offset") Losses occurred in manufacturing (-2,000), trade, transportation and utilities (-1,000), leisure and hospitality (-800), natural resources, mining and construction (-600), and information (-400).

So eventhough Buffalo's numbers got significantly worse compaired to previous months, and Rochester actually had a higher gross gain of jobs; Rochester "Declined" while Buffalo only "saw a decrease"; They gave the percentage decrease for Rochester while "leaving it out" for Buffalo, there was a "years loss" for Rochester, and only a "12 month period" for Buffalo, and Rochesters higher gains were "more than offset", while Buffalo's assessment had no such sentance fragment.......WTF is up with that? I'm pretty sure that is what we call wording bias in my AP stat studies.

blangjr21

November 17th, 2006, 05:08 PM

(November 17, 2006) — New vehicle sales go way up

Sales of new vehicles in Monroe County rose sharply to 2,842 in October, up 24.9 percent from 2,274 in the same period a year ago, according to the Rochester Automobile Dealers' Association.

Used car sales were 1,693, up slightly from 1,619 in October 2005, a gain of 4.5 percent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I know thats one of your favorite stats Susie baby

RochesterAddict

November 17th, 2006, 06:28 PM

http://www.southpointmarina.com/Ext-4Lg.jpg

http://www.southpointmarina.com/Ext-2LG.jpg

http://www.southpointmarina.com/southpoint%20condos%20rochester%20ny.htm

http://www.southpointmarina.com/

These are pretty cool. Found this randomly. Mario Daniele, from Mario's Italian Steakhouse, is proposing these, there is still a year before any work will begin, but this will be pretty nice.

Greece Residents React to Wal-Mart at Northgate Plaza
13 WHAM

Wal-Mart already has one store in Greece, and is proposing two new ones.

The “Yes” votes outnumber the “No's” on one street in Greece.

Bob Luke says anything that will bring life back to Northgate Plaza is a plus.

"I really don't see why people would be against it," Luke said.

There is plenty of available space in Northgate Plaza. Once booming with stores like McCurdy’s and J.C. Penney, it is now half empty.

Paul Mercier supports revitalizing Northgate, but not with Wal-Mart. He has two “No” signs in his yard. But Mercier admits this issue hasn't divided Greece as it did Lima.

He said, "If it's going to happen, it's going to happen, but this is my own personal fight for my neighborhood."

People in Lima fought Wal-Mart and won. In Victor, Wal-Mart was forced to scale back its plans.

Dansville said "Yes," but construction there is on hold.

Stores in other areas like Canandaigua and Newark have had a smooth sailing into town.

Why do some towns embrace the ideas and others fight it? People in Greece say there is fear about traffic and change.

The town of Greece confirms that Wal-Mart is already renting space in Northgate where it hopes to build the 198,000 square foot store.

Wal-Mart still must submit plans to the town before the proposal is officially considered.
Watch video here: http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=01E78B04-23D9-4845-8E95-0F0C3FB32844

Some residents actually want a Walmart? No in seriousness, I feel this is a VERY good idea for Northgate. It will compliment the Dewey Ave area well and will fix up a blighted old plaza to bring it back into the black. I think this is the perfect match for Northgate.

bdaly

November 17th, 2006, 07:38 PM

Some residents actually want a Walmart? No in seriousness, I feel this is a VERY good idea for Northgate. It will compliment the Dewey Ave area well and will fix up a blighted old plaza to bring it back into the black. I think this is the perfect match for Northgate.
This has been rumored for years. Like with Midtown, if a property is rumored for demolition (or partial demolition), people are unlikely to invest in the property. So it encourages disinvestment, and it has as the owners have done virtually no repairs to it. Consequently, I'm not convinced it couldn't be turned around without a Wal-Mart--the other plazas nearby are fairly healthy. But, I expect it to happen. It's pretty consistent with their Supercenter placement strategy of being on the city/suburbs border (like on Hudson and Chili Ave.).

With the expanded Wegmans on Mt. Read going up, I question whether the less differentiated Dewey location next to Northgate (which is literally a mile from Mt. Read) will remain. It seems the Wal-Mart will be well positioned to serve the "cost conscious" shoppers, and the Wegmans on Mt. Read will be well positioned to serve the more upscale market. So, I'd be surprised if the more average Dewey location doesn't eventually become a vacancy if Wal-Mart emerges (Big Lots will be displaced, and being next to a Wal-Mart makes sense). But, that's purely a guess on my part.

blangjr21

November 17th, 2006, 11:46 PM

Those Condos would be in Penfield actually...they have also started development and groundwork around the site, with the new Bazil already built you can see some survey work and such around the area. It really is a beaufitul area in the summer time...and isn't nearly as poor of weather as the higher properties on the "bluffs"

Either way it is a style of architecture not seen around here, my guess is they would be bought up quickly.

ROCguy

November 18th, 2006, 02:42 AM

The last time I saw a palm tree in Rochester was....never.

blangjr21

November 18th, 2006, 04:33 AM

hahahahahaha i never noticed that

ECoastTransplant

November 18th, 2006, 06:59 AM

You'd think there would be more pictures on this thread considering Rochester is the home of Kodak afterall. Too much text, more photos please. :speech:

BuffCity

November 18th, 2006, 10:38 AM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v69/Citysky/Rochester%202006%20October%2030th/IMG_3556.jpg

don't worry, I will be posting more soon. I HOPE :)

Roc-the-City

November 18th, 2006, 07:13 PM

Saddle Ridge Closes Its Doors
RNEWS....
by Greg Johnston
Published Nov 17, 2006

Just six months after its grand opening in May, Rochester's newest entertainment complex has closed its doors.

The general manager of Saddle Ridge in Rochester's High Falls district confirmed Friday that the multi-entertainment venue had closed for business.

It’s unknown why or how long the establishment will remain closed. A sign on the door stated the place was experiencing electrical problems.

The general manager declined to provide more details, only to say that a statement will be provided at a later date. However, the buildings owner said that Saddle Ridge did not meet its financial requirements.

Saddle Ridge filled the vacancy after Jillian's left the area in 2004.

The project never made any economic sense....to focus on a rather narrow market ...."country and western" theme with many alternatives in the marketplace was problematic. Also, the site lacks visablility with very little pedestrian or auto traffic. Also, Rochester has relatively few tourists to sustain so many downtown entertainment venues. Its "survival of of the fittest" and the East end easily won out!

I strongly feel that High Falls' best opportunity is a large Casino project with a exposition center and large hotel. It would cost the public sector tens of millions of public dollars to properly develop the High Falls District...money that the city does not have....but a Casino owner would! High Falls is a very unique and exciting asset to have at the edge of downtown...but it will take very deep pockets to properly develop it.

ROCguy

November 18th, 2006, 08:06 PM

A casino in Rochester wouldn't do shit..... they need more residential development in the downtown area.

Roc-the-City

November 18th, 2006, 08:50 PM

Placing a few hundred extra housing units downtown would be barely enough to support a coffee shop or a dry cleaning establishment! There are over one million people who live within a half-hour of downtown Rochester. ….we just need to create exciting, quality venues/amenities in downtown Rochester to attract them. Tourists are also looking for amenities like a casino, arts and cultural activities, sporting events, unique entertainment…etc. Housing does not attract tourists or outside money. I don’t go downtown because people live there. I go because there is something different, exciting or unique. In a stagnant or declining population base like Rochester…building and subsidizing new downtown housing …in general…only shuffles people from one part of the city to another. What’s the point? If you notice….Housing has been the community’s “mantra” for every troubled district in Rochester. In Downtown Rochester, at High Falls, at the Port of Rochester. With limited public funds…new additional housing has to be on the bottom of list of priorities!

bdaly

November 20th, 2006, 04:32 PM

Housing units are vital. Part of it is just creating additional activity and foot traffic. Will those people be able to support everything all by themselves? No. But it creates momentum for night business along with added perceived security. The biggest difference between the East End and High Falls IMO is people live in or near the East End, while High Falls is on an island of sorts. And most successful urban areas have people that live there. It's true that it's shifting people, but shifting people from suburbia to our city center is a positive for the city. It'll shift some business to downtown (which is fine in my book) while it'll help support unique businesses.

As for Saddle Ridge, I thought I heard they did okay for their late night/club business, but they were always pretty quiet around dinner time when I've been there. Additionally, the previous tenant was a little better setup to do okay during the week (games and pool are popular no matter the day). IMO, that building is just too big though. Much larger cities had much smaller Jillians--I can only imagine the heating costs in that building. High Falls could also use free parking on weekdays (even though free metered parking can usually be found, since many suburbanites don't like side street parking) and people living in the district....

RochesterAddict

November 20th, 2006, 06:48 PM

I believe that all of you are correct.

It seems that some people DO want a casino, while I am not in favor of it, I think High Falls in place of the former Beebee Station hydroelectric plant would be the perfect spot.

I would much rather see high end to moderately priced condos a la this...
http://www.cordish.com/sub.cfm?section=newdev&venueID=23

But who would live there except Kodak employees, whom are dwindling? Who knows though, maybe they would sell out in a week? Has anyone driven down Jay St lately, by Lake Ave, they are working wonders in that area. While its not WOW! yet, it is a shell of its former past.

I do feel that High Falls needs housing for it to ever survive. Look at what happened in Cleveland to the flats, it is a shame. No housing = death. The Warehouse district thrives in Cleveland because there is housing right there.

Saddle Ridge was cheesy, but no more cheesy/trashy than Soho/Coyote Joes/Daisy Dukes/Karma/Barfly/A St Pub/Pig and Whistle. It should have done fine since that is what the common 18-22 yr old wants. The reason those holes in the East End do better is that the patrons can stumble home by walking to their homes in the Park Ave area, in High Falls its a long cab ride or DWI.

Roc-the-City

November 20th, 2006, 08:51 PM

ManAboutTown

November 20th, 2006, 08:57 PM

bdaly

November 20th, 2006, 09:26 PM

Let's not forget that High Falls is a very successful office location. Back in the late 80s, that area was a ghost town and now there are a thousand plus workers down there. I agree though that it is going to take a long time to get High Falls in a position to be able to support a major entertainment venue(s). While Jimmy Macs and the Triphammer do well, no other bar/restaurant/club has been successful down there. All the bad press doesn't help matters either.

I think you hit it perfectly here. First, right now, we have to concede that High Falls may not be what we thought it would be--an extremely popular entertainment destination. However, it is a successful office district, and Triphammer and Jimmy Macs do well because of it. Being that people work there (radio, ad agencies, architecture), and there is some entertainiment, I think there would be a market for a modest sized apartments that cater to people that work there. It's a chicken/egg thing, and I think housing will boost entertainment and entertainment will boost housing. So, I don't think you're going to get tons of one element without the other.

I suspect Saddle Ridge really didn't understand the market. First off, lunch is big for the area businesses. They didn't open at all for lunch. Then July 3rd fell on a Monday and there was a laser light show then. All of the other area businesses were very busy, while they were closed. I know they usually close on Mondays, but if you're serious about making money, you make an exception. But, the trouble with High Falls is also the size of the buildings. They are often large and require significant investment. Empire/Bru and Jillians/Saddle Ridge were huge, and that boosts the breakeven quite a bit. Smaller places would be optimal in my opinion.

RochesterAddict

November 20th, 2006, 09:47 PM

I saw the early phases of the "Flats" in Cleveland...and it was entertainment, restaurants and retail that came first ....then housing. They first created a truly "regional attraction" that attracted regional residents and tourists. Then local residents wanted to move into the area.

You need to go back. I was in Cleveland in August and all that is open now is Buffalo Wild Wings and an Arhaus (HQ in Cleveland) outlet store in a former store. It is a ghost town. People do live in condos across the river they are JUST building now, but I dont know if that will save the area, only time will tell. Therefore Cleveland is trying to save the area with housing, someone in Ohio feels thats a good idea. Why not try it in High Falls?

M.A.T. - I didnt know that Spin Caffe closed in High Falls, I just thought it had weird limited hours? I have also heard that Tiki Bobs does ok for some reason. The Partners and Napier offices next to Saddle Ridge are really awesome and Entercom looks great as well. The Parry building and the empty one next to it will be perfect catalysts I believe for revival of the area. As well as the former Chrome/Key's bar will re-open soon as something else. FYI.

ROCguy

November 20th, 2006, 10:07 PM

Frankly, I can't fathom how a waterfall in the middle of a city isn't a HUGE plus (well, it really is, so lets say an "unrealized plus"). You know how many cities have natural waterfalls in their downtowns that large? One.

ManAboutTown

November 20th, 2006, 11:22 PM

RocAddict, sorry for the confusion. I think Spin is still "open" in High Falls, but they never seem to be open when I'm down there. Granted, I'm not there during weekdays, so hopefully they're doing good business during the day. I think it serves as their roasting operation for their other locations - so maybe that helps keep it afloat.

As a side note, and speaking of coffeehouses, I noticed a new place at Village Gate called Bodhi's. In addition to coffee and dessert, it has a nightly tapas menu and a selection of beers/wines. Looks like a nice place to chill out.

Roc-the-City

November 21st, 2006, 01:13 AM

Rocguy....you are right. Having a large waterfalls...tall and emense gorge walls, a pedestrian bridge offering unbelievable views unique to any downtown in America.....is a major community asset. But typical Rochester...another asset that has yet to be developed. People look at the "entertainment district" as defining High Falls. Actually, the true valuable asset is the waterfalls and gorge walls. but most of the public expense has been directed to a parking garage and the entertainment establishments. High Falls is a massive asset....but it will take major capital public dollars to realize the economic benefit of this asset. Without the capital dollars and a community adverse to risk, this asset will be in economic limbo until better days...or a willing and eager Casino owner!

Regarding Cleveland "Flats". True, I haven't been to the site recently, but it isn't as bad as you described. The are significantly more businesses than the two you indicated. True, the level of businesses at the district is less than the early 1990's....but it is still a respected entertainment district. Much far along than High Falls. The following gives an update of the Flat's district....from Wikipedia....

It wasn't until the middle 1980s that the Flats saw a resurgence as an entertainment destination. Attention was being given to Cleveland's decaying downtown and the Flats was a focal point. While underground music venues existed on the East Bank mainstream development first took place on the West Bank. "The Powerhouse", which was constructed to power the city's cable car system, was renovated to include multiple bars, restaurants, and an outdoor music venue used during the summer. Other old warehouses and buildings were also renovated into nightlife destinations. At its peak in the early 1990s, the Flats had the highest concentration of bars in the Midwest with both locally owned bars and national restaurant chains lining both sides of the river from the mouth down to the area known as the Oxbow bend. The Flats and Cleveland had soon become an entertainment mecca and destination for the region. The Flats Oxbow Association was formed to help aid the redevelopment of the flats, and housing development soon followed on both sides of the river, with new construction and warehouses being converted into condominiums and apartments.

The Flats' heyday as an entertainment destination was short lived. Three drowning deaths in a one month period in 2000, along with a city crackdown on fire and health code violations led to multiple bars being shut down, and patrons becoming scared off due to safety concerns led to a sharp decrease in business. While this was a boon for the redevelopment for the Warehouse District, the area just up the hill from the East Bank, it sent shock waves through the Flats' redevelopment from which it has never fully recovered. Most of the East Bank has gone "dark" due to the number of businesses that have closed. Recent plans have been unveiled in the summer of 2005 includes leveling most of these buildings and creating a new "neighborhood" that includes mixed use live/work spaces, a movie theatre, shopping, a grocery store and riverwalk. The West Bank has fared better than the East since 2000. While not anywhere near its pre-2000 peaks, it still has many establishments open, and has been home to the majority of housing developments in the Flats. New upscale condominiums have been constructed along the old Irishtown Bend and at the remains of the Superior Viaduct, which was the first high rise bridge to span the river. New shopping destinations are also in development, like the proposed Steelyard Commons, which may be constructed on lands previously occupied by the steel mills. The canal's towpath trail, part of the Ohio & Erie Canal Corridor, is also being restored to provide jogging and bike trails for city residents and to preserve part of the Flats history. Whiskey Island has also been purchased by Cuyahoga County in hopes of making it more accessible to residents in the form of a lakefront park. The water quality of the river has also improved since 1970, with fish populations returning increasingly each year. This is largely due to the unintended importation of zebra mussels from Asia in the ballast of ships in the Port of Cleveland or some other port on Lake Erie.

blangjr21

November 21st, 2006, 08:25 AM

I have always wondered waht it would take to either knock down the old BB station (while keeping the historic stacks) and what we could put in it's place. While a Casino seems to be the answer to all Urban Problems in this country, I truly believe it is not, UNLESS it is a legal entity (as in not an Indian Casino). The answer is truly hard to grasp, unless you know a company or 1,000 individuals who are looking for living space with a view like this...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/01/Rochester_NY_High_Falls_2001.jpeg/800px-Rochester_NY_High_Falls_2001.jpeg

...it would certainly be a great place to wake up every day. As far as bad press, the campus newspaper here was really a negative light on Saddle Ridge. To make a long story short, apparently they rented what was called the "drunk bus" that would transport patrons from Fisher (and other local schools for that matter) to Saddle Ridge and back at certain times on Thursday nights...the bad press stemmed from underage kids drinking, which apparantly (according to asshole administrators at the institution) is the bars fault (heaven forbid the kids be held accountable!), I saw that as the beginning of the end for Saddle Ridge.

I'd love to hear other ideas on Bebee Station or the area around it.

blangjr21

November 21st, 2006, 06:35 PM

Multiuse tower may be built at fallen ramp site

Brian Sharp
Staff writer

Post Comment

(November 21, 2006) — Replacing the South Avenue parking garage ramp appears unlikely, but city officials said Monday that an eight- to 12-story condominium, office and retail tower could rise in its place.

"There are some great views from that corner," city engineer James McIntosh said of South Avenue and Broad Street, adding that the half-block ramp's footprint "is bigger than you would think."

Private development also could take in Cornerstone Park, immediately to the east. Another idea is to expand the park and use the site of the ramp for a fountain or some other fixture.

After the exit ramp partly collapsed April 21, crews demolished most of the rest of the structure. Only the hollow core remains. The garage reopened Aug. 31.

City staffers met three months ago with several developers who said any housing project likely was five to 10 years away. In the past two weeks, another developer has come forward who might be willing to move ahead sooner, said Tom Hack, senior structural engineer for the city.

Mayor Robert Duffy has said that he would rather not replace the ramp. Today's standards require a wider turning radius, so a new ramp would be bigger and squeeze pedestrian flow at the intersection. Officials said traffic within the garage has worked without the ramp, lessening pressure to rebuild.

The city expects to receive a consultant's report on recommendations for the site in a few weeks.

Roc-the-City

November 21st, 2006, 07:19 PM

Rather than housing in and around the old BeeBee Power plant, I would suggest a large high-end hotel. Bringing outside money into the city is a major economic benefit of a hotel. I'd put the hotel on top and place a large convention center at the base. Presently Rochester has a very small exposition center. Actually our current center acts more like a wedding party house than a convention center...its just too small! A large convention center brings in large number of tourists who spend daily on food, entertainment and retail goods. I beleive Albany is planning a major convention center complex that would be about 3-4 times the size of our Riverside Convention Center. So my vote is for a large convention center, high-end hotel and throw in a major casino if one is available!

bdaly

November 21st, 2006, 07:46 PM

Good news on the multiuse tower. I think that's a particularly desirable location for living too. The arena, Dinosaur and library are extremely convenient while other downtown amenities are nearby. Corn Hill is an easy walk, the stadiums and East End aren't out of reach. It's really pretty central. All of these pockets of activity that extend beyond 9-5 will boost downtown. Buckingham Commons is a nice boost in an area without much living space, and hopefully this will also happen. Hopefully things will come together with Midtown/Ren Square as that is the last area that really need some attention.

As for something a little more near-term, kudos to the city for their expanded free parking initiative:

http://www.cityofrochester.gov/mayor/NewsReleases/index.cfm?Release=2300

Many people are adverse to parking on side streets while they're also adverse to paying for parking. So, now they have no excuses. And, for those going to Amerks (or Razorsharks) games, I'd encourage you to skip the Civic Center ($7) and take advantage of Sister Cities or the South Ave Garge.

bdaly

November 21st, 2006, 07:54 PM

As far as bad press, the campus newspaper here was really a negative light on Saddle Ridge. To make a long story short, apparently they rented what was called the "drunk bus" that would transport patrons from Fisher (and other local schools for that matter) to Saddle Ridge and back at certain times on Thursday nights...the bad press stemmed from underage kids drinking, which apparantly (according to asshole administrators at the institution) is the bars fault (heaven forbid the kids be held accountable!), I saw that as the beginning of the end for Saddle Ridge.
Yup, I heard they were busing in college students, which I thought was a great idea. College students want things to do, and they took away the transportation issue and brought them downtown. I read someplace the crowds were massive. Based on that concept, I figured they had a chance at survival despite the modest dinnertime crowds I've seen. If they were serving underage people, then they deserve the consequences. But, more likely than not, others of age were making happen.

While I wasn't the biggest fan of Saddle Ridge, I hope it has more to do with financials than local colleges getting upset because their students were trying to beat the system. I've heard the building's owner cite both (rent money and underage activity) as claimed reasons. It is ironic one downfall--lack of free parking--now won't be an issue for the next month or so.

ManAboutTown

November 21st, 2006, 07:59 PM

I would caution against replacing the Riverside Convention Center. I'm not sure there are any party houses out there that host 425 events with 325,000 attendees annually. Also, our convention center is directly connected to two major hotels and is just a stone's throw from a third. Moving it to High Falls would remove that convenience thereby hindering its ability to attract conventions. Furthermore, the convention industry has been declining for years as more and more cities build similar centers. We are lucky to have such a successful convention center given our size and economic climate. Also, there are plans to expand the convention center southward to Broad Street (over/through the existing RG&E substation) connecting to the planned Aqueduct walkway that would then connect it to even more marketable space at the Blue Cross Arena.

It is frustrating that the State is allocating so much funds for an unneeded grandiose convention center in Albany. Hopefully our state delegation will secure the necessary funds to make our convention center expansion a reality.

RochesterAddict

November 21st, 2006, 09:21 PM

http://cmsimg.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A2&Date=20061121&Category=BUSINESS&ArtNo=611210322&Ref=AR&Profile=1001&MaxW=550&MaxH=430

http://cmsimg.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A2&Date=20061121&Category=BUSINESS&ArtNo=611210322&Ref=V2&Profile=1001&MaxW=550&MaxH=430

13 WHAM did some digging, interesting:
http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=62EBF09E-12D8-4D94-9BD0-1DC1B8F8EE77

Again, sad it closed, but personally, I wont miss Saddle Ridge, maybe if I was 5 years younger it would be a different story.

Our convention center is wildly popular, but I agree it could use a little expansion, the annual car show doesnt include all car lines because not all of the cars fit into the center.

I have gone to a couple of weddings at the convention center and they do a really nice job, especially the 600 person wedding I attended. Mostly very large weddings are held there, what other place can hold 600 people in one room? More upscale banquet halls are needed in Rochester, Burgundy Basin and all the other ones are real dumps. I have always felt they should turn one of the non residential majestic East Ave mansions into a wedding hall. There is no where classy for the commoners to get married my cousins say, unless you have the cash to belong to Oak Hill or the Genesee Valley Club. And even those need to be booked 2 years in advance. I dont think many people would want to get married though or convene in High Falls. Next to Kodak HQ, bars or a potential casino. I want to have my trailer park wedding next to a casino! Woo hoo!

I say condo residential and a decent hotel would be a good fit for the former Beebee station in High Falls. A mid range/price hotel like the W Hotel or Wyndham would be ideal. That would serve visitors to Kodak and tourists that could use High Falls. Just as long as they dont go North until Lake Ave has made a significant turnaround. Then a casino could fit in if need be, but not a convention center, ours is fine where it is right now. (Agreed, just a little bit bigger.)

I think the city's idea "outside the box" of residential in place of the South Ave Garage ramp is perfect, I agree with Bdaly. And employees at the Bausch and Lomb tower could walk to work. Boy would I love to roll out of bed and walk to work! If they made it exactly like the Sagamore, (maybe a little cheaper than $350,000 - $750,000, so I can afford it) then they would sell out fast.

DallasTexan

November 21st, 2006, 10:12 PM

Rochester with a W? lol!

Shoot for a Sheraton first if you're going after Starwood!

Roc-the-City

November 21st, 2006, 10:33 PM

The South Avenue parking garage is hugely popular. It services the Hyatt Hotel, the convention center and other businesses like the Blue Cross Arena. Replacing it for housing doesn't make sense. The highest and best use for that parking garage is a parking garage...not housing. ...and again...why all the excitement over housing. Building 150-200 units at this site does little to attract tourists or regional residents who are looking for something unique to do in downtown Rochester. We don't need another residential district. ....downtown is surrounded by housing districts in the city and suburbs. Remember it takes only about 20 minutes to get to downtown from just about anywhere in Monroe County. Also, building high density housing is extremely expensive...and needs substantial public subsidy. I would rather spend public dollars bulidng arts, cultural, sports and unique entertainment venues...more money for downtown parks,,,waterfountains...heavy landscaping....etc. ...not housing!!!

The Riverside Convention Center is a great facility...among the best looking and best run in the region....but again it is very small compared to the population base. I wouldn't close that facility. Place a large exposition facility at High falls for large conventions...and the Riverside facility for small to medium conventions/weddings/community events. Most cities are building mega convention centers....my suggestion is to build just a basic facility that reflects the size of metro Rochester (one million people). I don't know if expanding the current center (not much room to expand) would attract many new conventions...maybe only larger weddings!!! I have lived in cities that had productive conventions in their downtown districts...they produce thousands of tourists that converge on nearby restaurants, stores and entertainment venues. I would rather have more hotels than local condos/apartments.

bdaly

November 21st, 2006, 11:14 PM

The South Ave Garage isn't being replaced, they are simply not going to rebuild the helix. That takes up a large amount of space and can instead be replaced with the proposed building. So, now it'll service that building along with the sites that you've mentioned.

Why should they build housing? People that live someplace spend their money there. And, it doesn't take the odd event for them to do it. Plus, given the waiting list at Corn Hill and the success at The Sagamore, there is demand for housing. So it's a good business proposition too...

There aren't a lot of successful downtowns that don't have people living there too. It's an important piece of the puzzle in my opinion. Yes lots of people live near downtown, but it doesn't get them to go there outside of the odd event. For example, if retail is to ever take off downtown, people must live downtown. I want downtown to be more than just an event site for suburbanites on the weekends...

RochesterAddict

November 21st, 2006, 11:34 PM

The South Avenue parking garage is hugely popular. It services the Hyatt Hotel, the convention center and other businesses like the Blue Cross Arena. Replacing it for housing doesn't make sense. The highest and best use for that parking garage is a parking garage...not housing. ...and again...why all the excitement over housing. Building 150-200 units at this site does little to attract tourists or regional residents who are looking for something unique to do in downtown Rochester. We don't need another residential district. ....downtown is surrounded by housing districts in the city and suburbs. Remember it takes only about 20 minutes to get to downtown from just about anywhere in Monroe County.

R-T-C...They are only replacing the already missing helix/ramp, NOT the whole garage. The condos/whatever would be connected to the garage a-la Sagamore/East End Garage is. The residents of the (maybe) condos could park in a gated area inside the garage the same as the Sagamore residents do in the East End Garage. And yes we do need more residential, you always need residential. Retail/entertainment/whatever follows rooftops. Also, I dont think anyone wants to place 200 units, it would be more like 20-30, I believe. I would live in the downtown core if I could buy an affordable place, not rent, and have it located in a clean safe area with all modern amenities and services that cater to me nearby.

ROCguy

November 22nd, 2006, 01:45 AM

I wish I were going to Rochester for Thanskgiving. If you can believe it, the weather there will be WAY nicer than down here. There's a noreaster off the coast that made it snow this morning (but of course, it didn't stick) and now we've got 20-30 mph winds, rain, and temps in the 30's and 40's (wind chills way lower). It looks like its supposed to be 55 and sunny up there on Thursday. lol. Seriosuly though. High Falls could be AMAZING if the city actually took a chance and tried to do some serious development and attract private investment.

Roc-the-City

November 22nd, 2006, 02:03 AM

....Just saw the long range forecast for Rochester...sunny with highs in the mid to upper 50's through Tuesday of next week!!! Global warming could be quite a benefit to Rochester!

If its just the helix/ramp portion that would be available….I would create some green space. The area is crowded with much to much cement. Create an up-scale park.....maybe put some large piece of art along side of the multi-story parking garage wall. In addition, this could a great location to place a staircase that would go down under South Avenue to connect with the Aqueduct project. You would be surprised how close the underground aqueduct space is to the corner of South and Broad Street. It would make it much easier for pedestrians to go under South Avenue and connect with the future Aqueduct passageway that would traverse the river to the Blue Cross arena and the Civic center district. If anyone has been to the underground tour of the subway/Erie Canal bed …especially the portion under South Avenue and the Library….you would be aware of the large spacious area that could offer some very unique commercial opportunities….like maybe an underground night club, a museum…maybe even a skateboard park….etc.

Still don’t see any significant economic impact of scattered housing sites throughout the downtown district. The whole district is massive….you could easily drop a couple thousand housing units and notice very little impact. It just not worth the significant public subsidy that would be needed. If you build 30 housing units at the helix space…you first would have to dedicate 30 parking spots ($15,000 per spot) …$450,000 subsidy…. dedicate the land to the developer…..and subsidize the actual construction of the building….all this for a handful of residents!!! It’s just not cost-effective.

veryprotourism

November 22nd, 2006, 07:54 AM

roc-a city, easily drop a couple thousand housing units into a several square mile area and not notice the difference? i think you are nuts. three thousand housing units at single person occupancy would nearly double downtown rochesters(non-jail) population density.

DallasTexan

November 22nd, 2006, 08:07 AM

RochesterAddict

November 22nd, 2006, 06:19 PM

http://cmsimg.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A2&Date=20061122&Category=BUSINESS&ArtNo=611220384&Ref=AR&Profile=1001&MaxW=550&MaxH=430

Biophan moving to canalside site

COMIDA aids work on old Pittsford mill
Democrat and Chronicle

Biophan Technologies Inc. is getting a new home in Pittsford and some help from the County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency to move there.

The biotech company plans to relocate from the Lennox Tech Center in Henrietta to 15 Schoen Place by the beginning of January. Developer and owner Alden Longwell is renovating the long-vacant flour mill at the site along the Erie Canal.

COMIDA on Tuesday approved a package of tax breaks to help with the renovation.

In a separate action, the agency said it was pulling a $289,000 package of tax breaks given to a company developing a BJ's Wholesale Club in Greece. A COMIDA audit discovered that the contractor on the project wasn't complying with a provision requiring the use of local labor, said Judy Seil, COMIDA's acting executive director.

BJ's uses a national contractor for new stores and decided it could not meet the COMIDA requirement, Seil said. "They were very upfront about it."

The Biophan deal involves the reuse of a 126-year-old former flour and grain mill. The company plans to lease 2 1/2 floors of the three-story, 14,000-square-foot structure.

The renovation will cost $1.5 million, Longwell said. He plans to call the site the Pittsford Flour Mill.

Stu MacDonald, Biophan's vice president of research and development, said the renovation, as well as the site's charm and convenience, made it attractive. "(Longwell) has been very accommodating in making sure the building will meet our needs," MacDonald said. "We'll have the fiber to keep up with our IT needs."

Longwell, who owns the building with business partner Mike Newcomb, said the renovation fulfills a longtime desire. "I had my eye on that building for years," Longwell said.

In addition to the tax breaks to help with the renovation, COMIDA approved a separate package of breaks for Biophan as it purchases $166,000 worth of equipment.

All told, the incentives are worth $90,000, COMIDA officials said.

Biophan, which employs 19, expects to create six jobs over the next five years. The company's technology makes implanted medical devices such as stents and pacemakers safe and imageable in MRI scans.

The Biophan package was one of nine projects approved by COMIDA.

Midtown to Lose M&T Bank
13 WHAM

Midtown Mall in downtown Rochester will lose its only retail bank when M&T leaves in mid-February.

A bank spokesman said the decision is based on M&T’s recent acquisition of Citibank.

All the Citibank branches in the Rochester area were converted to M&Ts, and there is a branch located at First Federal Plaza near Midtown.

Another blow for Midtown, and another reason for the city to acquire the property.

GateHouse to acquire Messenger Post papers
Democrat and Chronicle

Terms not disclosed in sale by Ewing to a small-market giant
Democrat and Chronicle

When publisher George Ewing Jr. went hunting for a buyer for his newspaper company after 47 years of family ownership, he didn't have to look very far.

Ewing's Messenger Post Newspapers, which includes the Daily Messenger in Canandaigua and the 10 weekly Post newspapers in suburban Rochester, will be sold to Perinton-based GateHouse Media Inc.

Terms of the deal, announced Tuesday, were not disclosed. The companies also did not say when the change in control will occur.

Ewing's family has owned the Daily Messenger since 1959 and acquired the Post papers in 1996. He said in August that he was putting the chain up for sale after receiving several unsolicited bids.

Ewing could not be reached for comment Tuesday night after the 6 p.m. announcement. In a statement, he said: "The decision to sell our newspapers after 47 years of Ewing ownership was not taken lightly. ... I am confident GateHouse has the desire and resources to continue what we have established and expand Messenger Post Newspapers to even better serve Rochester and our region."

GateHouse moved its headquarters this summer from the Chicago area to Willowbrook Office Park in Perinton. The company, which went public in October, owns 423 community publications — including some in Livingston, Steuben and Yates counties — and more than 230 related Web sites.

Its daily newspapers in western New York are in Steuben: The Leader in Corning and The Evening Tribune in Hornell.

In a statement, GateHouse Chief Executive Michael Reed said his company will seek to build on the Ewing family's tradition.

"We are delighted to add the Messenger Post Newspapers and their great staff to the GateHouse family," Reed said. "The Messenger Post Newspapers are very high-quality publications."

Reed could not be reached for comment. Calls to a GateHouse spokeswoman were not returned.

Tom Proietti, a communications professor at Monroe Community College, said the purchase makes sense for GateHouse.

"I had a feeling that since the time GateHouse announced they were moving here that a deal was cooking," Proietti said. "From GateHouse's reputation, I think we have a lot to look forward to. They are so good at local, weekly types of newspapers and have a fairly good track record developing the new media side as well."

Messenger Post employs 176 people. The Daily Messenger has a paid circulation of 13,000, and close to 100,000 copies of the Post weeklies are distributed free each week under names such as Greece Post or Webster Post.

GateHouse's decision to become a publicly traded company last month was questioned by some industry analysts, who noted that many newspapers, both large and small, are struggling as they seek to build online audiences to complement their print editions.

Still, community newspapers are seen as perhaps less vulnerable to the shift by many younger readers away from print to the Internet.

In GateHouse's most recent financial statement, issued Nov. 15, the company said it had a net third-quarter loss of $11.4 million on revenue of $97.5 million, which was up 89 percent from the third quarter of 2005. Providing a hint of what was to come, Reed said that "we continue to see a strong supply of attractive acquisition opportunities."

Shares of GateHouse rose 2 cents Tuesday to $20.50 on the New York Stock Exchange. The acquisition announcement came after the market closed.

I knew this was going to happen, now we keep our suburban papers. Which have the worst writing ever, but they do inform me on some things I was unaware of every once in a while, and they are free, so why not? I wish online was free.

Local car dealer 'tanks' area with free gas
Democrat and Chronicle

Less than a block away, looking out her home window, Sharon Lamb saw lines of cars pulling into the local NOCO gas station this morning, and police directing traffic.
She thought; "What are they giving away, free gas?"

She was right.

John Gabriele, owner of Marina Dodge and Mitsubishi, thanked area residents for a great year in 2006 by giving away free gas to the first 250 vehicles pulling into at the Noco Station at 58 W. Main St., Webster. Drivers had up to $20 of free gas pumped for them.

"I am very grateful for the support the community has given us this year," said Gabriele, owner of Marina Mitsubishi and Marina Dodge. "They have helped make us the No. 1 selling Mitsubishi dealer in upstate New York since we opened our doors back in July, and I thought what better time to give them thanks then now."

Eve Razis of Rochester heard about the promotion from her son last night, and she wasn't going to miss out on the opportunity. Unfortunately, she had been diligent enough to fill up a few days before, bracing for possibly higher gas prices during the holiday.

"This is such a great idea and great event," said Razis, who only benefited from $3.90 worth of free gas.

Michael Butwid of Webster recently came back from a trip to Oklahoma where gas was $1.39 per gallon. After discussing his dissatisfaction with high taxes and gasoline prices in New York, he did sit back and enjoy his free $20 fillup.

"It's important to do anything you can for the community," said Butwid, who said he spends about $80 a week on gas for his Explorer.

Lamb, whose tank was only a quarter filled with gas, eventually decided to put on a coat and leave her home to see what the commotion was about. When she found out they really were offering free gas, she pulled right up to a pump.

"My family is heading off to New York City to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, so this worked out very well," said Lamb of Webster.

Jeff McGraw, an assistant at NOCO, said people started arriving early -- a little before 7 a.m. In the first hour, more than 100 cars were treated to their choice of oil.

"We expected this kind of buzz and for people to be excited -- and they were," said McGraw, adding that the station was set to pump out 5,000 gallons of gas. "Everything went well," he said later.

Gabriele, who had never done a promotion like this before, said he thought hard about the best way to show his appreciation for making his dealership number one.

"This was a chance to do something for the community where they knew there were no strings attached," said Gabriele. "You just pull into the gas station and we pump gas for you. Hopefully they will remember us and ... come to the car dealership and become present and future customers."

The Webster Police was on hand to ensure safety throughout the event.

I posted this for Susan, since for some reason she feels this is important. One dealer had an amazing year.

ROCguy

November 23rd, 2006, 01:34 AM

I hope they don't change the outside of that building on Schoen place too much. Give it a paint job obviously, but that walk down the erie canal wouldn't be the same without that historic building, the tallest structure in Pittsford isn't it?

bdaly

November 23rd, 2006, 08:56 PM

Here's news on some High Falls residential development. It's great to hear IMO. People already work there, so if you get more people living there, it'll boost nighttime foot traffic which will help fuel restaurant development.

http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=52DA2D07-B5B0-455D-9F5C-E7CB1A07A502

If the Parazin Building is the one that I think it is, I'm impressed someone is taking it on. It'll take a lot of work, but it's in a good location and I suspect there will be some demand.

Happy Thanksgiving all!

ManAboutTown

November 24th, 2006, 05:08 PM

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Mine was busy and I didn't get out to take pictures. Hopefully tomorrow!
Since no one else has gotten on this today, allow me:

South Wedge is bustling in a burst of fresh hope

Renaissance under way as developers move in

Lara Becker Liu, Staff writer

(November 24, 2006) — As wine bar owners go, it would seem John Fanning has a lot to overcome. He has no formal wine education, and he says, "I've never run or really worked in a bar."

But you wouldn't know that upon walking into Solera Wine Bar, 647 South Ave., which Fanning opened in October and will celebrate in a grand opening on Dec. 2.

With its red wine-colored walls, mahogany-stained floors and international wine list, Solera already has earned high compliments: "It feels so European," one patron told Fanning.

And this is just the beginning.

It is the beginning, as well, for other businesses and developments in the South Wedge, where attractive historic buildings, affordable prices and a proactive neighborhood organization have succeeded in drawing serious investment from private and public funders, developers and entrepreneurs.

Excitement about the neighborhood's renaissance has been building for several years, but it is only recently that construction has begun and doors to new businesses have opened.

Among the projects in the works:

Konar Properties — which renovated the historic Abeles Building on South Avenue in which the South Wedge Green Grocer and Garden Center and Coffee Connection opened last month — now plans to construct a four-story building with covered parking in the lot next door. The building will contain 8,000 square feet of commercial space and 24 one- and two-bedroom apartments.

Flower City Management could break ground next year on the former Downtown Motor Lodge site, on South Avenue and Byron Street.

Plans call for 40 condominiums and eight townhouses, and 11,000 square feet of commercial space on a contiguous parcel. The company is renovating the building next to that, at 426 South Ave., with retail space and two apartments.

Conifer Realty LLC plans to redevelop River Park Commons, on Mt. Hope Avenue, into a mix of affordable and market-rate housing, although construction has been held up as the company continues to negotiate with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

DePaul is building a new facility on Mt. Hope Avenue and Alexander Street.

The Veterans Outreach Center on South Avenue, thanks in part to a $750,000 donation from Tom Golisano, expects to complete a $2.3 million expansion and renovation next year.

Various infrastructure improvements also are planned or have taken place. About $1 million in mostly public money has been spent over five years to create curb "bump outs," crosswalks, two parks and a kiosk on South Avenue.

Mt. Hope Avenue next spring will get a similar treatment — including bump outs at Comfort and Alexander streets, and a median and a crosswalk at Alexander and Mt. Hope. South Clinton Avenue also will be improved, from Byron Street to Highland Avenue.

"I think there's some really nice momentum right now," says Flower City Management President John Billone. "I have so much confidence in the area."

Planning ahead

The South Wedge, between Interstate 490 to the east and the Genesee River to the west, owes much of its recent success to the deliberate tactics of the South Wedge Planning Committee. The nonprofit neighborhood group, formed in 1975 to revitalize the area, developed long-range goals for the South Wedge in 1996 and has been tenacious in achieving them. For example, SWPC invited the developer Howard Konar to look at the South Avenue parcels he's now developing — which he says he would not have considered otherwise.

"Most people don't ever want to talk to developers. (They think) development is something to be shunned. The fact they called us and invited us is a change," Konar says. "They're trying to attract people to fill specific needs they have identified already. They seem to be very effective at it."

SWPC, relying on a market study by students from the State University College at Geneseo, has gone one by one down a list of suggested amenities for the neighborhood — including a green grocer, a fine-dining establishment, an ice cream store and a bookstore — and then worked to recruit those businesses.

The green grocer is now open. Other plans are forming.

SWPC's strategy in attracting such businesses, as well as more major development, has been to first improve infrastructure and housing, and then offer businesses the services they need to stay afloat. About 30 new businesses have opened in the South Wedge since 1999 with SWPC's help, according to Executive Director Daniel Buyer. And membership in the Business Association of the South Wedge Area has swelled.

Especially helpful is the fact that SWPC is home to a satellite office of the Small Business Development Center at State University College at Geneseo. Director George Gotcsik counsels business owners on all manner of issues, from permit applications to business plans.

SWPC, he says, has become "a social entrepreneur."

"It's taking a nonprofit and running it like a business, rather than going hat-in-hand for grants," he says.

SWPC, which has a paid staff, still relies on grants but has been successful in getting them largely on the strength of its plans to become more self-sufficient. In the face of dwindling funding for neighborhood groups — and calls for their consolidation — that sort of innovation appeals to funders such as the United Way of Greater Rochester and the Rochester Community Development Collaborative, which have directed thousands of dollars to SWPC.

The organization pulled in nearly $1 million in public and private funding last summer, including $256,522 in federal funds to develop affordable rental housing on Hamilton Street.

SWPC will start by rehabilitating 111-113 Hamilton St., which is now vacant, and hopes to make such work into a profitable line of business — as well as provide housing for some displaced River Park Commons residents.

SWPC also will be getting more involved in real estate; Buyer and another staff member have real estate licenses and have sold several properties through Monroe Avenue Real Estate.

Facing challenges

The South Wedge, like many city neighborhoods, has its share of challenges. The neighborhood was recently the site of a brutal double homicide.

But Buyer is quick to stress that crime went down in the neighborhood between 2001 and 2003 and said: "I think this neighborhood responds to challenges as well as any I've seen, staying positive and looking for solutions rather than throwing their hands up at these flash-in-the-pan crime trends."

Residents "take pride in the South Wedge being a safe place to live, and a caring neighborhood, so on both levels, it hurts," says Buyer, referring to the shooting death of Sarah Capadano and Daniel Perez on Hamilton Street.

The South Wedge, Buyer continued, "is not like a laboratory; you can't control everything that comes in and out. It's like a garden. You have to stay on it, because as beautiful as it may seem, those weeds come in, and before you know it, you've lost it."

The South Wedge Neighbors Council engages in crime prevention activities such as Police And Citizens Together Against Crime (PAC-TAC) and maintains strong ties to the Rochester Police Department and Neighborhood Empowerment Team. The group also organizes monthly "Wedge Walks," and in the winter months, community potlucks.

"There's a deep sense of pride that goes beyond just making sure our neighborhood's safe; it's making sure our community thrives," says Gale Lynch, a resident of seven years and leader of the Neighbors Council. "So when there's a double homicide, it's horrible and it really impacts our community. Yet at the same time, we're not picking up and moving."

"I know we have had issues, but I don't feel there's a whole lot of difference (with) other areas, including the suburbs," says Pat Tobin, former SWPC board president and a South Wedge resident for nearly 22 years. He raised his two children, ages 27 and 31, there, and says, "I always felt safe."

Still, he notes, "we've seen tremendous change, especially in the last five to six years, in terms of people interested in properties, values increasing, which has, in turn, resulted in less crime and feeling much safer as a place to walk around." The vacancy rate among commercial and residential properties in the Wedge has dropped to 10 percent, he says, from 40 percent when he was president of the SWPC board.

Second area

Its challenges aside, the South Wedge has proved to be the perfect incubator for Fanning's wine bar business.

Already charmed by the neighborhood's "cute" factor, he found an "amazing resource" in SWPC, and in his first 16 nights he had already earned enough to get him through the "first few scary weeks."

A full-time wine specialist at Marketview Liquor by day, Fanning, 30, stumbled upon his vocation as he searched for a better alternative to the Coors 18-packs that were all he and his college friends could afford. He discovered Carlo Rossi wine first (it comes in jugs, so it was still an economical choice), and later developed a taste for the better stuff.

He "bounced around" the West Coast and Europe during his 20s, learning all he could about wine. Then, after his wife, an archaeologist, found a job in Rochester, he moved here in 2004. It was near wine country — a prerequisite — and far more affordable than most larger cities. Plus, it didn't have a wine bar.

Rather than bemoaning that fact, Fanning chose to change it. "If everybody left when what they wanted wasn't there, nothing would get better," he says.

So Fanning has invested $13,000 in his business. He's still making tweaks, such as putting motion sensors in the bathrooms so that customers don't have to struggle to find the light switch, which he painted the same dark red color as the walls. It's a work in progress, he says, kind of like his adopted neighborhood.

"I've always been attracted to the second part of the city," Fanning says. "Every city has, like, the Park Avenue — upscale, already established — and every city has a second area on the verge. There's excitement there, there's hope there, there's ambition there. And that is the South Wedge."
-------------------------------------------------

I know, that was a lengthy article. Hope you didn't have anything else to do today. I'm curious to see the final renderings for the Northern Gateway Landing (former Downtown Motor Lodge site) project. Last I saw, it involved a modern, mid-rise structure so let's keep our collective fingers crossed.

Also, I came across the following little blurb on the City's site plan review agenda. Sounds like a rather large project, directly across the river from UR on mostly vacant land. I'm not going to bother Marcia about this, but perhaps someone else should:

1206-1300 S. Plymouth Avenue
The proposal is for a multi-story apartment building containing 390 bedrooms (2 and 4 bedroom apts.), 2 townhouse buildings containing 24 apts. and an 8,000 sf accessory commercial structure with 275 parking spaces. It is a Type I Action which will require the establishment of new PD (Planned Development) district.
Contact Person: Marcia Barry, 428-6858

ROCguy

November 24th, 2006, 10:57 PM

South Wedge is definitely Rochester's best up and coming neighborhood. It's really like another Corn HIll on the east side, only it is traditionaly a more blue-collar german and irish neighborhood as opposed to Corn Hill which has always been a little more WASP.

BuffCity

November 25th, 2006, 06:54 AM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v69/Citysky/Rochester%20-%20Special%20Collection/roc1.jpg

veryprotourism

November 25th, 2006, 05:28 PM

the troup howell bridge looks fantastic.
i personally think it complements the skyline very well.
from that angle it cuts through the excellus-blue cross building and makes it look a little less office parkish.

BuffCity

November 25th, 2006, 10:22 PM

Rochester does look better with the bridge, and it helps some of the downtown structures look a little more city-ish.

ManAboutTown

November 26th, 2006, 12:21 AM

Man, you guys are slacking. Anyways, here's the latest from the D&C. I'm not yet sold on the design of these new public housing developments, but they're certainly better than what was there before (check out this slideshow for a look: http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061124/MULTIMEDIA/311240010/. With a waiting list of nearly 1,800 families there certainly is a dire need for more quality affordable housing in Rochester and its suburbs.

New housing project reveals need for more

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i227/swedishczech/carlsoncommons.jpg

Brian Sharp, Staff writer

(November 25, 2006) — Construction on the largest public housing development to be undertaken in Rochester in decades is nearly complete.

The 144 new units southwest of downtown are rented, and the Plymouth-Exchange neighborhood has welcomed dozens of new residents.

But a troubling thing has happened. The $32 million development — serving people earning 50 percent and below the area's median income — has amassed a waiting list of 1,781 people. The estimated wait is five years.

"We have to come back in," said Roger Brandt, president of Rochester's Cornerstone Group Ltd. "Our work isn't done yet. ... There is more need."

With that in mind, the partnership of Cornerstone and Providence Housing Development Corp. is mapping out an $8 million proposal to build 30 to 35 more housing units in a neighborhood about a mile southwest of downtown. An application for state aid is due Feb. 26.

The Olean-Kennedy Revitalization Development Project built a new neighborhood where two of the city's oldest public housing projects once stood, and erected a few dozen units on lots scattered along nearby streets. Rochester Housing Authority played a key role.

For a family of four, the median income is $64,100, so families must earn no more than $32,050 to rent one of the new units. Rents are based on income. Brandt said the greatest demand was for units with four and five bedrooms.

Planning began about six years ago. The public-private undertaking drew upon at least 10 different funding sources and also built four new city streets. Kennedy Tower underwent a $3 million renovation.

The city also is committed to building 14 for-sale, single-family homes off Olean Street. That construction was to begin next spring and summer but has been delayed until 2008.

Robert Barrows, the city's director of housing and project development, said the problem is what remains buried underground.

"It appears that when the urban renewal projects were undertaken, much of what was present when they did the site clearance was left beneath a bit of fill and was not removed — old building foundations, old streets complete with streetlights," Barrows said. "Things of that nature."

Marion Morgan moved in about two weeks ago to what is called Carlson Commons, west of the Plymouth Avenue-Ford Street intersection. The 63-year-old grandmother said she wanted a better neighborhood for herself and her grandchildren. Her home is abuzz with family comings and goings. Christmas will be celebrated here, she said.

"The Lord just opened some doors," said Morgan, who has lived on the southwest side for more than a decade. "I liked them (the apartments) before I even moved in here."

One of her neighbors is Roxanna Siaca, 20. She and her 2-month-old daughter, Aolani, moved from East Broad Street in October. Both neighborhoods have their challenges, she said, but added: "I'd never want to leave the city. I don't think you should ever walk away." And here, Siaca said, she is part of "the whole city that's changing."

Keeping the momentum going will be no small task. The state put off the Olean-Kennedy project for a year before committing money. Providence Executive Director Monica McCullough said the program that paid for demolition of the Kennedy and Olean housing projects "doesn't get funded by the federal government anymore. It doesn't exist. What are you going to do now?"

But while she and Brandt turn their focus to the ever-growing need to reinvest in the city's aging stock of affordable housing, they also are taking time to appreciate what has been accomplished.

"It's visually very stunning to see so many (new) units together," McCullough said. "I feel we really have made this a better place to live."

RochesterAddict

November 27th, 2006, 06:00 PM

M.A.T. - That south wedge story was awesome, who knew all of that was going on? The D and C actually reported new news and did some digging, Im finally impressed.

http://cmsimg.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A2&Date=20061127&Category=BUSINESS&ArtNo=611270314&Ref=V2&Profile=1001&MaxW=550&MaxH=430

Still important
Leading manufacturing regions of the state, based on percentage of total jobs that are in manufacturing:

Rochester/Finger Lakes (Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Seneca, Yates, Livingston, Wyoming, Genesee and Orleans counties), 16 percent.

Southern Tier (centered on Binghamton, Elmira and Corning), 15 percent.

Western New York (Buffalo area), 13 percent.

North Country (from Watertown to Plattsburgh), 9 percent.

The statewide average is 7 percent. New York City has the lowest percentage of manufacturing workers at 3 percent.

State hemorrhages factory jobs

One of every 4 manufacturing positions in 2000 is gone by 2005
Democrat and Chronicle

The number of manufacturing jobs in New York fell by 26 percent during the first half of the decade, a new census report shows.

Almost every major category of goods-producing employment contributed to the loss of 191,000 jobs between 2000 and 2005. Apparel manufacturing was the hardest hit.

Furniture making was the sole exception to the decline among industries employing at least 20,000 people. It added about 1,300 jobs during the five-year period.

New York fared worse than the nation as a whole, but not by much. Overall U.S. manufacturing employment dropped 21 percent, or about 3.5 million jobs, to a 2005 level of 13.2 million.

"A lot of what happens in New York follows national trends," said Kevin Jack, principal economist at the state Labor Department in Albany.

Despite the decline, manufacturing remains an important part of the New York economy — and nowhere more than in the Rochester/Finger Lakes region.

Separate data from the state Labor Department show that manufacturing accounts for 16 percent of the jobs in the nine-county area, the highest of any region in the state.

"Manufacturing just dominates our local economy," said Tammy Marino, associate economist for the Labor Department in Rochester.

The region was mostly affected by the loss of manufacturing jobs in the chemicals category, which covers many of the cutbacks at Eastman Kodak Co. Chemical manufacturing positions in the state fell to about 53,000 last year from 65,000 in 2000.

Marino noted that Kodak, Xerox Corp., Bausch & Lomb Inc. and others still employ substantial numbers of workers at manufacturing facilities in our region.

While the major employers, especially Kodak, have had their share of cutbacks, "just recently the pace of manufacturing layoffs has slowed," she said.

Some companies in the area are hiring, Marino noted, and defense manufacturers such as Harris Corp.'s RF Communications division in Rochester have fared well recently.

The types of manufacturing jobs have changed, said Matt Hurlbutt, managing director of the Finger Lakes Partnership and director of RochesterWorks, a nonprofit agency that connects businesses with job seekers.

"It's gone from assembly-line work to computer-, technology-based work," Hurlbutt said. "Some low-skill, high-wage positions have been lost, but there are still jobs in manufacturing."

Smaller businesses without the recruiting budgets of large companies are hiring, but job seekers may not know about the positions or even about the smaller companies, he said.

The optics field is always looking for workers and many of those positions pay from $10 to $22 an hour, Hurlbutt said. Such jobs usually require an associate's degree, with Monroe Community College offering many courses in optics and engineering.

Gone are the days when few skills were needed for manufacturing jobs, Hurlbutt said, noting that many positions in the field have evolved into skilled labor, requiring math and science skills.

"You need to own your career and manage it," he said.

bdaly

November 27th, 2006, 09:10 PM

Two comments. Over the weekend I visited the Riverwalk (a poster posted pictures). It is really a great addition and the 3/4 mile bridge is great. It was heavily utilized yesterday and I can see why. If we get any more weather like this this fall, take the walk/bike ride.

I went to Midtown on Black Friday. Attendance was reasonable, but again, little effort is going into it. There is a shop called Fauna's Gifts (in a wing, near the Chase walkway I believe); give her shop a look if you visit. She's a remarkable person who's determined to stick it out--she had some pretty good deals on pretty nice stuff too.

bdaly

November 27th, 2006, 10:31 PM

Birds Eye Deal will save 350 jobs (http://www.rochesterdandc.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061127/BUSINESS/611280308)
We heard a lot about this "blow," but luckily it didn't really turn out to be one. I didn't think they'd have trouble selling the non-branded business, but you never know until it happens.

Greece neighborhood awaits store (http://www.rochesterdandc.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061126/NEWS01/611260325/-1/GREECE)
This isn't a big deal, but since we discussed the new Mt. Read Wegmans, I thought I'd post a link with an update on it.

RochesterAddict

November 27th, 2006, 11:42 PM

Well, looks like Donbuy's company recommended a Cheescake Factory after all. Susie's culinary dreams have come true.

Cheesecake Factory Special Permit Site Plan
3349 Monroe Avenue
The application for a new Cheesecake Factory
restaurant was submitted to the Planning Board for a
December 11th public hearing.
The new building is proposed close to Monroe
Avenue near the former Chase Pitkin. The warehouse
portion of Chase Pitkin is going to be demolished and
replaced with additional parking area.
Review of the application has begun and the
Architectural Review Board is working toward
completing comments for the applicant and Planning
Board. The Development Review Committee will be
reviewing the Site Plan at the November 28th DRC
meeting.

PDF here: http://www.pittsfordnewyork.org/Community/Services/downloads/PZNewsletters/2006/PZNews11-17-06.pdf

Looks like the former Chase Pitkin and Pittsford Plaza have some major changes coming starting in the Spring.

blangjr21

November 28th, 2006, 12:01 AM

TODAY'S TOP STORIES

Birds Eye to sell non-branded assets

By JANICE BULLARD PIETERSE
Rochester Business Journal
November 27, 2006
Birds Eye Foods Inc. has found a buyer for its non-branded food businesses.
Allen Canning Co. of Siloam Springs, Ark., will acquire substantially all of the assets of the non-branded frozen vegetable business, including plants in Brockport, Bergen and Oakfield, where 366 people are employed, the two companies said Monday in a statement.
“We are delighted to announce this agreement, and we know that the store brand business will be in good hands with Allen Canning,” said Neil Harrison, chairman, president and CEO of Penfield-based Birds Eye.
Completion of the transaction is expected in December, subject to regulatory approvals and other closing requirements, Birds Eye spokeswoman Bea Slizewski said. The company would not comment on terms of the deal.
The non-branded business processes fresh vegetables, including peas, corn, beans and carrots, and repacks vegetables for major customers, including Wal-Mart Inc. and Royal Ahold N.V.
Rick Allen, president and CEO of Allen Canning, said the company was excited to be expanding into frozen vegetables.
“This is a natural extension of our canned vegetable business, and will allow us to better serve our existing customers and, at the same time, to build new relationships with the many customers that Birds Eye has served over the years,” he said. “We especially look forward to becoming a part of five communities that are new to us.”
The plant sales include facilities in Fairwater, Wisc., and Montezuma, Ga.
Birds Eye said in July it would shed its non-branded businesses to focus on more profitable branded lines.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Future construction contracts drop in October

By MARY STONE
Rochester Business Journal
November 27, 2006
Contracts for future construction in the local area dropped 32 percent to $60.8 million in October, compared with $89.2 million a year ago.
Non-residential contracts fell 40 percent from nearly $56 million to $34 million; residential contracts decreased 19 percent from $33.4 million to $27.1 million, the Research and Analytics unit of McGraw-Hill Construction reported Monday. Residential buildings include one- and two-family houses and apartments.
Construction activity was recorded for the Rochester area: Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans and Wayne counties.
Year-to-date, construction in the Rochester area is up 20 percent compared with last year—from $797.3 million to $959.1 million—despite a 10 percent decline in residential construction
A 55 percent rise in non-residential construction drove the overall increase. Non-residential contracts rose from $370 million last year to $573.3 million in 2006, while residential contracts dropped from $427.3 million to $386 million.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Some good and not so good news for the day, but we see that in the end those 350 + jobs will remain as many of us thought that they would, which is a major positive for the area.

RochesterAddict

November 28th, 2006, 05:01 PM

Some weather we're having...
WROC 8

Most everyone is enjoying this unusual late November stretch of fine weather, the least of whom would be those working on the new Troup Howell Bridge.

This time of year construction workers like these could well be wearing long johns and flannel lined Carharts. Yet, they labor instead in sweatshirts or in some cases: T-shirts.

The 37 million dollar signature span is due to open next summer and the recent stretch of weather is credited for helping crews forge ahead on the project.

In fact, the pouring of concrete decks now scheduled for Thursday wasn't even supposed to occur until spring.

The State Department of Transportation cautions, however, that the leg up they've gotten does not mean the bridge will open any earlier than scheduled in June.

Learn more by watching the video: http://wroctv.com/news/story.asp?id=25457&r=l

ManAboutTown

November 29th, 2006, 03:44 PM

While we can take solace in the fact that Jerome will be disappointed to hear that our area is getting a Cheesecake Factory, I am not excited. With 120 locations across the country, it's only a matter of time before metropolises like Utica and Binghamton have Cheesecake Factories of their own.

In other news, from RNEWS today:

Saddle Ridge Operators Convicted
by R News Staff
Published Nov 28, 2006

The men behind a failed Rochester nightspot admitted to stealing from developers in Denver, where they developed a similar entertainment complex.

Nightclub operator Jon Field, 51, and his associate Paul Butler, 38, were forced to close Saddle Ridge Saloon in High Falls in mid-November, months after they opened it, and days before Field and Butler pleaded guilty to theft in Colorado District Court.

The two were convicted of pocketing $1.3 million they received from investors for a developing Saddle Ridge in Denver.

"It explains a lot of our dealings with them and what's going on with some of the issues we have with vendors who haven't been paid here," said Lewis Norry, the owner of the property that housed Saddle Ridge in Rochester, who locked up the property after Butler and Field's operating company failed to pay regular bills.

Norry Management Corp. gave the tenants a quarter of a million dollar improvement allowance for Saddle Ridge.

Norry plans to review all receipts and follow up on the more than $100,000 owed in back rent and damages. The company has terminated Saddle Ridge's ten year lease.

Meanwhile, Norry Management said it could have a new tenant for its High Falls venue as early as next week. An established Tennessee nightclub owner has expressed interest in leasing the property.

In addition, Carlos Carballada, Rochester’s director of economic development, said the city may be turning its development focus in High Falls to housing.

"It looks like it's going to be moving in an entirely different direction where in fact the evolution is probably going to be more like a village than a high entertainment district," said Carballada.

He added that a large residential development is being discussed, but no details have been finalized.

I can't imagine what this Tennessee nightclub operator is thinking, but hopefully s/he will subdivide it and not spread themselves so thin. More importantly though, could that last sentence mean that the long-rumored mid to high rise on the Kodak parking lot at State and Platt is closer to reality? Hope so.

bdaly

November 29th, 2006, 05:30 PM

Not too excited on the Cheesecake Factory either, but I'm sure it'll make people happy and do well. So, that's a good thing.

On High Falls, I wonder if the residential development is different than what 13 reported. The Parry Building isn't exactly large though, so that's probably not it. The Parazin building would be a little more substantial. But, if it's a third development, then High Falls could be in great shape in a few years.

If they find a tenant and sign a deal in the coming weeks for Jillians/Saddle Ridge, I give Norry Management credit. They were on their toes and they must have been active in recent weeks looking for a replacement. If they're going to take that whole property, they need to look at making it viable for more than weekend evenings (unless they only want to open then). Bowling leagues, pool leagues, dart leagues, things along those lines to fill the weekdays. I'd also work with the city to see if they could get free garage parking, at least on weekdays and non-peak hours.

So, there's a lot of potential good news here. But, I'll await an announcement; let's keep our fingers crossed. Residential development is key here IMO, as High Falls can be pretty quiet in regards to foot traffic after business hours on weekdays. If people live in High Falls, it'll make restaurants a lot more viable during the week at night.

Roc-the-City

November 29th, 2006, 07:32 PM

RochesterAddict

November 29th, 2006, 08:33 PM

Ok now who works for the local media that is stealing news from our site? hmmmm...jk.

Channel 13 Pittsford Plaza story: http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=19AFD95F-AC1D-4D95-8226-6DEF3975848B

Walgreens eyes second Chili site
Democrat and Chronicle

While Walgreens' No. 1 focus remains settling the Stagecoach Inn issue and building on Buffalo and Union Street in North Chili, the pharmacy chain is considering constructing a second store in town.

Carol Hively, Walgreens' spokesperson, has confirmed that the pharmacy chain is searching for a second location in Chili with myriad options, including one near Chili Avenue and Paul Road.

"We are looking at the aging baby boomers in the community and it seems that there will be a prescription market in Chili," said Hively. "But we don't have any contract, signed lease or any preliminary deal yet so it is too early to talk about a specific location. But we can confirm that we are interested."

Jim Martin, Chili's Planning Board chairman, said a preliminary site plan presentation might be on his next agenda Dec. 12. But nothing has been set.

"I have heard of property being purchased near the Chili Avenue and Paul Road area. I know Walgreens is eventually coming in for initial recommendations on rezoning a couple of the properties in that residential area," said Martin. "I haven't seen a site plan at this point."

Walgreens' goal is to have 7,000 stores by 2010. The 105-year-old company, based in Deerfield, Ill., has made inroads recently in Monroe County.

"Our big picture is that New York is an area that we are going to start growing in very rapidly," said Hively.

Walgreens, the pharmacy chain with the largest volume of sales in the nation, wants to build a 14,820-square-foot store on Buffalo Road and Union Street, its first location in Chili.

The plans are being held up by an ongoing court case because the planned location sits near the Stagecoach Inn, a 192-year-old historic building that residents don't want bulldozed. Walgreens offered to keep the building standing and pay $50,000 for exterior renovations. In addition, Walgreens offered to move its store behind the inn, which would decrease parking.

Walgreens officials said there are several factors the company considers when building a new store, including major intersections, traffic patterns, demographics and locations near hospitals.

A store in Brighton, for example, is being built on the corner of South Clinton and Elmwood avenues, near doctors' offices and not far from Strong Memorial Hospital.

Chili really has some growth going on, and I hope they build that lifestyle center on Paul Road, the old geezers that currently live there should just move to Leroy where they can enjoy their 1950 lifestyle. Im weird, I love Walgreens, they have the best sales and good prices, all the other chains could close for all I care. Last Friday I got Tide for $1.99. Yes, a little Jewish man hides inside me!

The High Falls news is exciting, I hope to see the area really move forward in the next couple of years and yes, they should give up on making it a strictly entertainment district and just make it another live, work, play district. Similar to how St Paul is trying to emerge. IF they would just clean out the section 8 housing at the corner of Andrews and St Paul, I think the St Paul district would already be flying high. The East End for a while will be Rochester's entertainment district of choice.

Roc the city, I couldnt disagree more with what you write, but you are entitled to your opinion. A hotel is a good idea, but there is currently no reason to build one there yet. Housing would spur energy and life to the area and give a developer hope that a hotel could work in High Falls. The new thing to do is mix hotels with condos one purchases and the two are intersparsed together in the same building, Las Vegas and a myriad of other cities have been doing this for years. Residential is key.

jazzmaphone

November 29th, 2006, 09:59 PM

Hey, I started a new thread about the December Rochester meet-up: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=415204

bdaly

November 29th, 2006, 10:45 PM

I hope any residential development doesn't take away a prime hotel site. I would rather see hotel development than residential. Maybe not today....but in the next few years the market could be ripe. Hotels bring in outside money....residential doesn't!
I'd be all for one if the demand is there. Based on the fact that private companies are going in the residential direction right now, this may not be the case. I see some demand for residential, like it or not, in High Falls. There are radio stations and ad agencies that have a lot of younger workers. That is a sweet spot for lofts.
Again....best case scenario...you add 200 additional housing units at High Falls...how will this help any existing or future restaurant/retail/nightclub? ....200 units could hardly support a coffee shop! High Falls is a regional asset....it doesn't need residential development.
That's the case. The people that live around East and Alexander aren't enough to support that area by themselves either. But, a core of people gives life to the district 24/7. Any tourist visiting on a Sunday afternoon will not find much life there. It doesn't help the district to say the least.
The reason why there is no foot traffic is because our region does not attract many tourists and High Falls businesses have zero visability with NO auto traffic within the district. Existing entertainment businesses in the city have better visability and are located in more secure areas.
Again, on the hotel/residential, it's a question of demand. Corn Hill Landing has a waiting list, Buckingham Commons is doing well last I heard, Sagamore is filled or very close. As far as visibility goes, Alexander isn't exactly the main artery of Rochester, so I don't buy into that fully. People go to High Falls when the events are right (generally on weekends), there just aren't enough of them for many businesses. I'm sure weekday afternoons and Monday through Wednesday nights make life tough there. As far as security, I've never felt the least bit insecure there.
With stagnate population growth and not many tourists there will always be a constant struggle for these businesses to survivie. Shuffling 200 units from another part of the city/county to high falls doesn't make the "pie" any larger!
I look at the shift as an "investment." It's popular for younger and retired people from suburbia in many cases. In some cases, this type of living space may help keep them here. Even further, it's rare to find any successful downtowns without a good amount of living. If these projects fuel more downtown activity, it could be a great aid in the retention of young people. There is the potential of a snowball effect.

Most people who do move downtown already spend alot of time and money in the downtown district. So moving there doesn't create a major shift in downtown spending.
I'm not so sure about this one. I know a number of the projects have been successful in attracting older or retired people from the suburbs who don't want to maintain a house. I know a lot of younger people who move out their parents house in the suburbs and live in downtown/Park. There's a lot of new downtown spending there. Plus it fuels more convenience spending. If I live in Chili and want a quick bite or some groceries and a prescription, I'm not going to go downtown to do it. That's why weeknights are so tough for many businesses there.

In my opinion, the market is speaking right now, and it's going in the direction of residential. Yes, there's some shifting going on, but I'm fine with the suburbs taking a little bit of a hit. As I said, in many cases it'll make the area more appealing and help on retention. And, if downtown becomes more lively, it'll make the area more appealing, and it'll make more hotel business realistic. I'm not sure if there's hotel demand right now.

It's safe to say we can agree to disagree. And, if there are cases of thriving downtowns that have very few people living there, I'd be interested in learning about their models. I've never seen any myself and I struggle to see how a large diverse core of businesses will make it without more consistent traffic through the week.

bayviews

November 30th, 2006, 01:03 AM

Saddle Ridge Operators Convicted
by R News Staff
Published Nov 28, 2006

The men behind a failed Rochester nightspot admitted to stealing from developers in Denver, where they developed a similar entertainment complex.

LOL! More evidence that this was not the brightest of business pairs! Really, where was the market for a country & western nightspot near the center of a relatively sophisticated city like Rochester? Maybe that might have worked in the western suburbs of Rochester but not in the city. I sure hope that Rochester didn't lose any money on this.

Sabretooth

November 30th, 2006, 01:05 AM

Again....best case scenario...you add 200 additional housing units at High Falls...how will this help any existing or future restaurant/retail/nightclub? ....200 units could hardly support a coffee shop!

Not necessarily. I know it's not a direct comparison, but there are plenty of little podunk villages across the country where there are less than 200 housing units total, and they manage to have businesses. And they don't draw from outside, theoretically. As long as you cater to the local residents, you'll be fine, plus you'll probably pick up significant pass-by or semi-local business.

Certainly can't hurt.

Roc-the-City

November 30th, 2006, 01:12 AM

Most thriving cities do have healthy residential units in their downtown core?.but what came first? A common element of thriving cities is congestion and long commutes to downtown districts. In these environments, it makes logistical and financial sense for a numbers of people to move downtown. In Rochester our commutes are extremely easy and quick?.twenty minutes from most points of Monroe County to get to Downtown. But even in thriving cities?.residents in downtown district still represent a very small micro-component of downtown spending during the day and during the night. The vast majority of downtown spending is from people who live in the ?region??which includes office workers and city/suburban people who travel to their downtown district for fun, entertainment, food and specialized retail. Again, I have no problem with housing?.the part I question is the amount of public subsidy. If it takes $25,000/unit subsidy to build this housing?.then I have a problem. With limited dollars, I would rather have public funds go towards building exciting amenities in the city and in downtown Rochester that will attract tourists and new residents in our region. True net economic growth in Rochester will only occur if we attract ?new residents? and ?tourists? into our region. Presently, we are losing out in both of these components.

bdaly

November 30th, 2006, 05:20 AM

True net economic growth in Rochester will only occur if we attract ?new residents? and ?tourists? into our region. Presently, we are losing out in both of these components.
While this makes sense, I think the additional tourist potential has a bit of a ceiling. Conventions, events, and occasional visitors have potential and we see some and they boost businesses. But, it's not going to be at a volume that's going to fuel businesses by themselves just like housing won't (I love Rochester, but I don't foresee us being a 365 day entertainment attraction for tourists). Ultimately, there is no quick fix. I don't think one comes before the other--both slowly build up. But, we've seen loud and clear that downtown attractions don't by themselves attract suburban residents seven days a week. Consequently, some aren't viable. Those that are happen to be near housing. And, people are attracted to housing here, so in our case the market is saying it should come now.

As far as commutes go, Rochester may be more convenient, but we're seeing there's still demand. These downtown market rate (and then some) developments are doing very well. And, they've fueled new businesses like we're seeing in Corn Hill. Even not working in downtown, I'd find it attractive because I'd be going the opposite way as the traffic in many cases. In the end, I think residential will succeed right now in High Falls, whereas I don't like a hotel's odds nearly as much. The private sector seems to agree based on where they're channeling funds. Later on a hotel may have more potential, I just don't see it now. And, as far as attracting residents goes, I think downtown lofts are a boost to younger and older prospective residents; it's been a void in the past.

bdaly

November 30th, 2006, 05:25 AM

LOL! More evidence that this was not the brightest of business pairs! Really, where was the market for a country & western nightspot near the center of a relatively sophisticated city like Rochester? Maybe that might have worked in the western suburbs of Rochester but not in the city. I sure hope that Rochester didn't lose any money on this.
There may have been some tax benefits on renovations, but I don't believe there was anything in the way of hard grants. The building owner (not tied to the city) likely took a hit. Luckily, any renovations will obviously remain for the next tenant. They failed to do anything to attract people outside of weekend late nights. It was odd, but I'm happy the owner might have found a new tenant. It would be sad if this poor effort was the last for the property for a long time.

Roc-the-City

November 30th, 2006, 04:21 PM

Rochester doesn't need to be a tourist mecca like Orlando or Las Vegas. Let me toss a statistic at you. On average for a U.S. metro region of about one million people, there are about 15,000 hotel/motel rooms. In metro Rochester has only about 6,700 hotel/motel rooms!!!! So just being a average middle size city, we should have 8,000 more hotel rooms. but we don't! But imagine 8,000 more rooms, assuming 70% occupancy level and 1.5 person per room. On average there would be 8400 extra people/day in the region in a hotel rooms looking for a place to shop, to eat, to be entertained....etc. All this outside money being spent in our region if we had average size/quality art,culture sports, venues/facilities/events/convention/exposition center...ect. Until we start spending money on these amenities we will always have problems filling up restaurants, entertainment venues, retail shops...etc. People don't realize it but most of our community amenities are below average in size and quality!

Jerome

November 30th, 2006, 05:18 PM

most of our community amenities are below average in size and quality!

Truer words were never spoken.

bdaly

November 30th, 2006, 06:00 PM

All this outside money being spent in our region if we had average size/quality art,culture sports, venues/facilities/events/convention/exposition center...ect.
The good news here is we are starting to see this. PAETEC Park allowed for state football semifinals games to be here along with the drum and bugle core championships (neither could have been here without the facility). These were an economic boost with out of towners. Frontier Field and the BCA renovations were a boost. The BCA has been hosting a wider range of events that have drawing power. Obviously, there are more plans on the cultural side of things with Ren Square. So, with these things, I suspect we'll see improved viability for more rooms. And, with that, the private sector will jump in with additional hotel rooms. And, that fact is interesting and perhaps there is a market for more rooms. But, I don't think it's in High Falls, yet.

Speaking of events, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra is at the BCA tonight and they expect a large crowd. I'll probably be at Park Ave's holiday open house though; hopefully the rain will hold off.

ManAboutTown

November 30th, 2006, 06:22 PM

Truer words were never spoken.

This from a resident of the Bhopal of the USA!?!?!? Give us a break Jerome, or should I say, Toxic Avenger.

veryprotourism

November 30th, 2006, 06:36 PM

roc-the-city, assuming 70% occupancy? why would you assume such a thing? what market data do you have showing that an increase in hotel rooms would not lead to a decrease in the occupany rate?
i am in no way opposed to expanding downtowns hotel options. at very least it would allow us to market to larger conventions.
my only question is; aside from your own speculation, (which, if the statistics you post are true, certainly holds some merit) what market research has been done to show the local market can absorb such an increase?

downtown hotel patrons supporting local business such as entertainment venues, retail stores, etc. brings up a chicken and egg type scenario.
ask yourself; as a visitor, why would i stay in a downtown hotel when the amenities offered to me in the immediate area are piss poor? why would the amenities in downtown be any better than piss poor if there is noone there to support them to begin with?
no amenites=no patrons.
no patrons=no amenities.

the largest complaints i've heard from downtown visitors is that there are very few people people downtown. i think creating small, semi-self sustaining neighborhoods(the east end is on its way) within downtown is the first step in putting people on our streets.
remember that a decade ago the east end was little more than an entertainment district with some eastman student housing. while i would not consider the east end a vibrant urban neighborhood, it is far more a "neighborhood" than it was, and continues to change. in addition to an ever growing list of bars and restaurants, the east end is also home to a very neighborhood-ish deli/grocer, a laundry-dry cleaner, and other small, community oriented businesses.

our slow/no growth has not stopped us from transforming the east end, why would it stop us from doing the same to high falls? high falls has largely failed as an entertainment district, i think its time to take a shot at making it something else.

bdaly

November 30th, 2006, 07:35 PM

ask yourself; as a visitor, why would i stay in a downtown hotel when the amenities offered to me in the immediate area are piss poor? why would the amenities in downtown be any better than piss poor if there is noone there to support them to begin with?
no amenites=no patrons.
no patrons=no amenities.

the largest complaints i've heard from downtown visitors is that there are very few people people downtown. i think creating small, semi-self sustaining neighborhoods(the east end is on its way) within downtown is the first step in putting people on our streets.
You make a lot of great points here. Regardless of one's thoughts on the Ren Square concept, I cannot wait to see the wrecking balls move in to take out the properties that are rotting where it's planned. It's the worst looking part of downtown right now, and it happens to be pretty much next to the Hyatt and Clarion. The East End is nearby, but given the look of those buildings, many probably avoid the walk. Even if there's a "coming soon" sign up for a while, I'd prefer that to the properties that no one will use because of these plans on the table. It's a case of disinvestment. I eat at Bennigan's on occasion downtown, and I've overheard negative comments regarding those immediate surroundings.

On traffic, I don't think that can be emphasized enough. Some people don't feel secure downtown. Some of that's tied to false stereotypes unfortunately. But, most of it is just because parts are a ghost town after 5:00. If downtown looked more lively, even if its just due to the in and out of residents, it'll really change that perception and snowball. The East End looks fairly lively seven days a week, and on weekdays it's due to the local residents and Eastman students walking around and pumping life into the area. That boosts the feeling of security for those not living there which has a possible overall effect on business. Speaking of hotels, I wish we had another one there closer to downtown (not that there's room on East anyways). Imagine staying in the middle of the East End for the Jazz Fest...

The East End is the downtown's biggest success and there happens to be a good amount of housing. St. Paul is holding its own, and there happens to be a fair amount of housing there. Corn Hill is doing pretty well, and housing is in the picture. It seems to be the common thread in all of the successful part in or near downtown. With housing, additional entertainment is more likely to come about later.