Ren Square Project: (New York, Rochester, York: sales, condos, home)

[Rochester-WNY]

Mayor, County Exec Debate Future of Ren Square
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[Rochester-WNY]

Does anyone else have a feeling about this project? I love the fact that Rochester has a lot of projects that are almost ready for construction though this project seems to have had a black cloud over it since the begining.

My feeling on this project is that I feel that Brooks is only keeping this alive because when she is done being County Executive people will know her for being behind this project, kind of like Johnson and the Ferry. These two projects I feel are a like.

I love the idea of MCC being there. I would love to see the college grow downtown, I believe it would also help small business. Though I am very skeptical about the Theatre and the Transit center.

Rochester is home to three well known theaters, Eastman, Geva and the Aud. Does Rochester need another Theatre? I don't really think so. I believe it would have a negitve effect on Geva.

The Transit center? thats another big question. Do we need it? Not to sure.

What I would like to see happen is what they are doing the Midtown. Let private developers take over and let them put some high rise condos and business's there.

[smalltownusa]

I personally still have ferry dirt on my tongue and I think Duffy is feeling the same way...he had to clean up a lot of baggage when he took over office...start modestly and leave them wanting more is my opinion of how they should go forward

[Rochester-WNY]

Final Ren. Square Funding Push Begins

[cheese9988]

I'm kinda surprised there isn't any funding coming from MCC? Or is the long term idea for MCC to help fund it after it has been built?

[Marcolo]

I cannot follow the thinking behind this project. For decades, Rochester leaders have acted like all downtown ever needed was Just One More Building. The same thinking was behind Xerox Tower, the old Gannett Headquarters, and the recently deceased Midtown Mall. See how that all turned out.

A theater plus a college plus a bus station? Who came up with that combo? It looks like a frantic attempt to build a monument first, then cobble together a purpose for it. And now, the retail will be hidden inside, so the street gets no added activity and the interior can become Medley Centre: The Sequel.

What Rochester needs are focused developments large enough to entice people to get out of their cars and walk around. That means lots of activity day and night, with many kinds of shops and businesses. And it requires an entire destination be developed at once, not these little one-off projects widely separated from each other.

I appreciate the effort to improve, but I wish the leadership would visit more successful cities and just copy them.

[skbs]

I think it is a HUGE waste of TIME, MONEY, ENERGY... it isn't going to help the city... it is only going to put us into Financial Ruin... what is the sense? We have so many more important "INSTITUTIONS" already established... GEVA, Eastman, Downstairs Cabaret... And give me a break! RTS needs a ritzy bus depot? Like that is going UP the amount of traffic flow to the bus system... it is a disaster waiting to happen... like the Fast Ferry... Maggie is only going to FLOP with this.

Here is some more info... a bit of an update...
http://www.rochestercitynewspaper.co...+do+you+want+/

[Marcolo]

Wasn't there a big problem recently with inner city kids starting fights downtown while waiting for buses? Why would anyone want to bring that into a landmark destination?

Here's an idea. The city needs a highly professional sales team to visit operations managers at corporations--from big to startup--across the country, pitch Rochester's advantages, and help make permitting fast and easy for them. Give special consideration to those willing to locate downtown.

Here's another idea. Do the same thing to destination-type retail stores--things that don't exist in Western New York. Check the demographics and see whether there are enough customers around here, and in Canada, to support them. There are a million different stores to choose from; I'm sure some big ones could be a good fit. Then entice these folks to build a flagship downtown.

Those two together will create demand for more housing downtown--another big plus for the center.

Anything is better than a bus station and a mostly-dark theater.

[skbs]

Originally Posted by Marcolo

Wasn't there a big problem recently with inner city kids starting fights downtown while waiting for buses? Why would anyone want to bring that into a landmark destination?

Here's an idea. The city needs a highly professional sales team to visit operations managers at corporations--from big to startup--across the country, pitch Rochester's advantages, and help make permitting fast and easy for them. Give special consideration to those willing to locate downtown.

Here's another idea. Do the same thing to destination-type retail stores--things that don't exist in Western New York. Check the demographics and see whether there are enough customers around here, and in Canada, to support them. There are a million different stores to choose from; I'm sure some big ones could be a good fit. Then entice these folks to build a flagship downtown.

Those two together will create demand for more housing downtown--another big plus for the center.

Anything is better than a bus station and a mostly-dark theater.

Better Idea... get rid of Maggie and put someone in office who knows what the heck they are doing with MONEY.

[Rochester-WNY]

Originally Posted by skbs

Better Idea... get rid of Maggie and put someone in office who knows what the heck they are doing with MONEY.

Just not Johnson!