General Real Estate News Summary
1st Quarter 2008
Greece – More than 500 acres of land extending from the Greece town line to the Erie Canal, and Manitou to Long pond road will be rezoned. Currently most of the land is zoned as general industrial. The new rezoning will vary from retail, office, residential and recreation. (1/24)
4th Quarter 2007
Rochester – The city has committed $550,000 toward constructing the Frederick Douglass Resource Center, adding to $750,000 from the state. (9/26)
Gorham – The Town Board has changed the rules for building along the Canandaigua Lake shore to reduce red tape for residents and reduce runoff into the lake. With the new rules in place, anyone who wants to tear down a seasonal cottage and replace it with a year-round home or another seasonal cottage can do so without variances, but only if the building doesn’t cover any more land than the original and isn’t any taller than the original structure. The roof is not allowed to be higher than the width of the lot, either. Smaller homes will keep the land open to absorb more runoff, reducing the amount that goes into the lake. Property owners would get credit for using such methods as having a quarter inch between the boards on a deck, and using paving stone or bricks instead of concrete. The credit would be that the space taken up by the listed methods would count as 30% less on the total lot coverage. (11/19)
3rd Quarter 2007
Greece – The Greece Planning Board gave final approval to make a parcel totaling 28 acres off Manitou Road forever wild. The land will be used for passive recreation only, no development. (5/9)
Fairport – Sparked by the predicament of The First Baptist Church, Fairport Village Board unanimously approved introducing a historic preservation law. If approved the law would protect the exterior of selected buildings 50 years and older from major alterations. The village will hold a public hearing before the law goes into effect. (5/17)
Ontario Beach Park - $1.6 million in federal funds were secured for the US Army Corps. Of Engineers to clean the river channel at the Port of Rochester and repair the Ontario Beach pier. (7/27)
Brighton - Monroe Community College is expected to start construction on a new facility for their nursing program. The $8 million project will include a 20,000 sq. ft. two story facility. The new center will feature a critical-care bed setup, a space for a computerized human patient simulator, new class rooms and laboratories among other additions. (7/27)
Rochester City - Officials confirm that $325 million in state fund will be awarded to Rochester for Phase I of the City School’s District Facility Modernization Plan. Phase I of the $1.3 billion project will target 13 schools and cost about $380 million. The project will extend over 15 years and renovate nearly 50 city school buildings. (7/13)
Monroe County – New statistics from the Census Bureau show an estimated 1% decline in the town’s numbers. This estimate is based on births, deaths, net migration, and military movement. (8/1)
Brighton – Speedy’s Cleaners’ old site at 2150 Monroe Ave. has been identified as being contaminated with tetrachloroethene, also known as PCE. It has not yet been determined how the contamination occurred. (8/1)
Rochester – Airports around the state stand to lose federal funding for security guards, due to the addition of 25 airports, funded by a program capped at $64 million. With out additional funds, The Greater Rochester International Airport could lose $69,000, or 22% of its current funding. (8/2)
Rochester – The Brooklyn-based Tryad Group closed the deal to purchase Rochester Technology Park for $55 million. The new owner plans to invest an additional $12 million to attract new tenants to the 5 million sq. ft. site. (8/16)
Gates – William Goodrich was promoted to CEO at LeChase Construction Services. The company did more than $406 million in construction projects last year. (8/26)
1st Quarter 2007
Honeoye Falls – In February MCC will offer courses at Honeoye Falls Lima school districts Middle School. This will be MCC’s fifth extension site. 16 evening courses will be offered at this location, which is a central location among Ontario, Livingston and Monroe counties. (12/26)
4th Quarter 2006
Hotel Renaissance – At least four new hotels are in the works in Monroe County, and there have been at least a dozen renovations. Some of the projects include, The Hilton Garden Inn under construction on Panorama Trail in Penfield, construction on Brooks Landing near U of R, Holiday Inn Express under construction in Webster and being renovated in Greece, major renovation to Marriott Airport, and renovation of Best Western Marketplace in Henrietta. (9/19)
Park Ridge Hospital – The Cleverley & Associates Community Value Index study (CVI) ranked Park Ridge Hospital as one of the nation’s top 100 hospitals. (9/26)
Genesee Riverway Trail – A boardwalk section making it possible to go from Lower Falls Park south of Driving Park Blvd. to the beach, is the latest to near completion on 15 miles of trail that has been under construction since about 1980. When completed, the trail will stretch from Ontario Beach to Genesee Valley Park. In May 2006, 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. (10/6)
Brighton/Pittsford – The State Department of Transportation has announced a $4.3 million project to reconstruct a stretch of Clover Street from Tobey Road in Pittsford to Warren Ave in Brighton. (10/25)
Rochester General Hospital – For the seventh year, RGH has been named to a list of Top 100 cardiovascular hospitals in the US. The list is generated by an IL company called Solucient, using data from Medicare. (11/10)
Corning – The glass factory, Fall Brook, of Corning Inc. is being demolished, having closed back in 2002. Corning Inc. still has important environmental and life sciences units, remaining one of the state’s leading companies with 26,000 employees worldwide and $4.6 billion in annual sales. (11/16)
3rd Quarter 2006
Brighton – A new demolition code was approved by town officials making it tougher to tear down older homes in older neighborhoods. To obtain a demolition permit, applicants now must have their plan publicly reviewed. (8/2)
Monroe County – Almost $1 million in federal and state funding has been received to update the more than 40 year old Monroe County Public Safety Laboratory. The completed project could cost between $10 and $20 million, and county officials are looking to begin the design by 2009. (8/25)
Rite Aid – The third-largest drugstore chain
in the nation will purchase Eckerd and Brooks of Canada for about
$2.55 billion. (8/25)
2nd Quarter 2006
Naples – Sentry Hospitality has made a proposal to the Town Board for a resort that would compare to four-star locations such as The Point in Saranac Lake, and The Mirror Lake Inn in Lake Placid. Project engineers anticipate the creation of 85 new jobs, 30 additional at the current golf club, and approximately 75 workers during the construction phase. Sentry Hospitality is currently managing several luxury resorts such as the Conference Center in Niagara Falls and Bald Head Island Resort in N. Carolina. (3/20)
Property Taxes – Reports released by the NY State Comptroller indicated that local property levies have gone up 42 percent over the past five years. The amount owed by property owners increased from $26 billion to $38 billion, and was 3 times the inflation rate. New York property taxes are nearly 50% over the national average. (4/27)
High School Recognition – Several of our area high schools were recognized in Newsweek magazine’s 2006 list of the top high schools in the nation. Out of more than 1,100, Victor High ranked 121, Wilson Magnet 24, Pittsford Mendon 58, Pittsford Sutherland 61, and Brighton at 92. (5/1)
Durand Eastman Beach – City Mayor Robert Duffy proposed opening the beach along Lake Ontario in Durand Eastman Park. The beach has been maintained by the county, and closed to the public for some time now. The county has estimated a cost up to $10 million to open the beach, while city representatives estimate less than $1 million. The city will apply for a $100,000 state grant toward opening the beach. (5/11)
Pittsford Park – The Town Board was voting to construct a veteran’s memorial at the Port of Pittsford Park. The town is expecting to spend around $140,000 on the project, and all 20 of Pittsford soldiers killed in the line of duty will be listed there. (5/17)
Cohocton Wind Farm – UPC Wind Management has proposed building 41 wind turbines over a 5,755 acre area off of Lyon, Pine Hill, Kirkwood-Lent Hill, Mattice, Rynders, Edmond, and Preston roads in Cohocton. A citizens group called Cohocton Wind Watch opposes the plan based on concerns regarding the water table, erosion, and communication signals, as well as the obvious concern with the view. The Cohocton Planning Board is having the proposal evaluated by an engineering firm, before a final statement will be submitted for approval. (5/17)
Strong Museum – The state Senate has granted the Strong Museum $500,000 to help complete its expansion. The museum will reopen in July at approximately double its size. (6/9)
1st Quarter 2006
Canandaigua – In another acquisition, the lakeshore restaurant, an ice cream shop and a former motel were all bought in a deal by the same person who bought 3 other lakeshore parcels in 2005. The total purchase price for the combined parcel was $790,000.00. City officials believe the purchase of the additional parcels will make it easier for the buyer to put a proposal for development in place. (1/10)
Greece – Two Wellesley Inn & Suites were sold recently and will undergo changes and renovations. The Greece hotel sold for $2.9 million and will become a Holiday Inn Express. A Wellesley Inn in Brighton was sold for $3.3 million and will become a La Quinta Inn. Both hotels will have façade work and new lobbies included the renovations. The cost of the upgrades is expected to be $1 million. (3/3)
Penfield – Three restaurants have been proposed for Irondequoit Bay. The former Portside Grill at 1300 Empire Boulevard will undergo renovations to become a seafood restaurant with an outdoor patio. A Mexican restaurant is planning to open in a small kiosk at 1350 Empire Boulevard and plans for a 5,700 square foot restaurant at 1200 Empire Boulevard include a boardwalk and gazebo on the site are being finalized. (3/9)
Perinton – The historical site of the Ranney farm on Pittsford Palmyra Road will become the site of a wholesale horticulture supplier. Sold in 2001, local developers planned on converting the property into a restaurant, but plans were abandoned after the area’s economy hit a low after 9/11. The house and farm are the town’s oldest existing home which was operated by four generations of the Ranney family. The Town Board unanimously recommended the rezoning the land from residential to limited commercial in order to restore the property for retail use. (1/12)
Rochester – St. John Fisher College will be expanding their nursing program with the help of an $8 million gift from Robert Wegman, chairman of Wegmans Food Markets Inc. The money will be used to build the Wegmans School of Nursing on campus, doubling the size of its current facility. The new school will include its own dean, department chairs and faculty. Enrollment in the nursing program at St. John Fisher has doubled over the last few of years. Last year, Mr. Wegman donated $5 million to St. John Fisher College for the creation of the Wegmans School of Pharmacy. (1/18)
Rochester – Along with Renaissance Square, Monroe County officials and local arts groups have been discussing a $172 million plan for three performing arts theaters to be built downtown. Two theaters would be located on East Main Street and the third at East Main and Gibbs Street. The hope is for Rochester to become a center for Broadway-style shows, the RPO and community theater. (2/3)
Naples – The Finger Lakes Land Trust has successfully raised $150,000 to purchase Grimes Glen, a 23-acre gorge located in the Village. The Finger Lakes Land Trust will eventually donate the land to Ontario County to manage as a public park, with a conservation easement restricting any development. A long-term protection plan for the glen has also been established. (12/21)
Union Springs – A 70-acre farm in Cayuga County is now home to the Cayuga Nation of New York. The property is located in the town of Springport, which is part of the Indian Land Claim that the Cayuga’s have been trying to reclaim in courts for the last 25 years. The farm will be used for organic farming and plan to build a longhouse to use for ceremonial gatherings. (12/28)
4th Quarter 2005
Canandaigua - In an announcement by the Veterans Affairs Secretary, the Canandaigua VA Medical Center will come one of three in the nation specializing in mental health care and research. The designation was passed under legislation by Congress and includes VA centers in Waco, Texas and San Diego, California. The VA also operates other medical centers that specialize in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, brain and spinal cord rehabilitation. (12/11)
Henrietta - Belfry International Golf Course has another plan to build a housing development project in hopes of getting the golf course going. Currently zoned as residential, the town wants to rezone the 160 acres near Lehigh Station Road to rural residential which requires one house per 2 acres with water and sewer, and one house per 5 acres without it. Belfry's new developer couldn't make the project viable if the stricter requirements were adopted. Belfry was supposed to open in 2002, but a series of unfortunate events have impeded its success, creating debt and a number of management turnovers. (10/12)
Penfield - A local grant and town funds will be used for the expansion of a trail system which will extend trails long Irondequoit Creek and eventually tie into Perinton's Crescent Trail network. Town officials have been working with other municipalities and will eventually be able to connect trails from Empire Boulevard to the canal and Seaway Trail. (11/23)
Perinton - After 3 years of negotiations, the town has purchased the development rights to 70 acres of farmland for $595,000. The Wagner farm is located in the northeast portion of the town and will still be owned and farmed by the family, but no owner can build on the property without the town's consent. The money will come out of the town's open-space reserve fund. (10/13)
Rochester - The Erie Canal Aqueduct under Broad Street has received $6.3 million in funding to transform it into an enclosed pedestrian walkway linking the War Memorial and the Rochester Convention Center. The historic structure opened in 1842 with 52 foot arches, allowing 2-way boat traffic and eventually became the Broad Street Subway, which closed in 1956. Included in the restoration will be a 6,000 square-foot interpretive center highlighting the Underground Railroad, abolitionist movement and the women's right campaign. (11/2)
Seneca County - Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge has acquired an additional 705 acres in a $950,000 deal with 3 landowners. Two parcels, totaling 565 acres, are located in Seneca County and the third is a 140-acre site in Cayuga County. Once covering 40,000 acres, Montezuma was once one of the largest habitats for migrating birds in the nation. As the Erie Canal was built in the early 1900's, farmers drained the wetlands until only a few acres remained. Today, nearly 1/3 of the original wetlands' acreage, providing habitat for nearly 1 million birds each year, have been reacquired. State aid and grant money will help pay for the restoration and reestablishment of the wetlands. (12/6)
3rd Quarter 2005
Canandaigua - The Town Board has passed regulations for updating septic-systems when renovations and new construction are being proposed. The town can now require the homeowner to update or install a septic system to specific regulations. The new law also clarifies the relationship between the Code Enforcement Officer; the Watershed Inspector and the County Soil and Water Conservation Office. All would be working together to establish procedures and guidelines. (7/19)
Canandaigua - The Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council has formed a committee that will evaluate local laws regarding the development of lakefront property in each municipality and will suggest a uniform guideline for each to follow. After Ketmar Builders bypassed zoning regulations to build 20 homes on Seneca Point and 30 docks, the council was approached by citizens concerned about lakefront development. Armed with new standards and guidelines, towns will be able to effectively address issues such as subdivisions, construction and docking and control the lakefront development. (8/3)
Hopewell - Public water will be available to 101 homes later this year after the Town received a federal grant and loan to pay for the project. A total of 33,000 feet of water main will be installed on several rural roads for a total of $1.2 million. Homeowners can expect to pay an additional $642 per year which does not include the one-time hook-up charge. (3/30)
Indian Land Claim - Twenty-five years after filing a lawsuit for lands lost 200 years ago, a three-judge federal appeal court threw out the $248 million Indian Land Claim ruling from 2000. The Cayuga Indians had won a decision in 2000 to reclaim their 64,000 acres at the north end of Cayuga Lake. The appeal decision was based on another court action by the Oneidas, an Iroquois nation, seeking lands in Oneida County. The ruling sited that too many years had passed for the Oneidas to gain control over the land. (6/29)
Manchester - Plans to demolish and replace an old railroad bridge have been finalized with $2.5 million in federal money. After six years of discussion, the demolition will take place next summer with the new roadway being graded to meet the new tracks. Trains use the bridge about twice a week. Work could continue into 2007. (7/14)
Ogden - The Arrowhead Golf Course located along the Erie Canal was sold for close to $1.4 million. The 18-hole public golf course is hoping to attract business from travelers on the canal the new owners are involved in the statewide development and marketing of the 524-mile canal. Plans include increasing membership, additional dock space, a clubhouse and keeping the facility open year round. (8/26)
Perinton - Money magazine rated the town of Perinton as the 62nd, out of 100, Best Places to live. Using data for areas with populations of 14,000 or more, Money compared household income, population growth and real estate appreciation over the last 5 years. Perintons' average price for a home was $159,000 and household income was $75,600. The report listed Perinton as having 1,700 restaurants, 57 golf courses and 17 movie theaters, plus an extensive park system for outdoor recreation. (7/12)
Rochester - Del Monte Corp. has transferred $12 milli
on of land to Monroe No. 1 BOCES in a 20-year lease and purchase plan. Various properties have been conveyed to BOCES which will allow them to ease space limitations at their administrative and academic sites. BOCES provides vocational education to 10 east-side school districts. In 2001, Del Monte donated their Marriott Thruway Hotel to RIT, valued at $14 million. (8/26)
Rochester - The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission is hoping to inspire tourism and development along the entire 524-mile canal system. In a draft-plan, the commission sites Pittsford and Fairport as ideal representations of enhancing, supporting and emphasizing the Erie Canal in their communities as well as the Genesee River in Rochester, which links to the canal. Proposals in the plan will preserve historic and cultural resources, promote recreation and develop tourism. Gov. Pataki must approve the plans before being put into effect. (6/30)
Victor - In a statewide census, Victor placed second as the fastest growing town in upstate New York, according to a new study. From 2000 to July, 2004, the town's population grew 17% to an estimated 11,500. Victor was the only Rochester region town to have double-digit growth. In the 1990's, Victor grew 37% and if the trend continues, will pass that figure this decade. The census estimates that 2,600 residents have moved to Victor since 2000. (6/30)
2nd Quarter 2005
Canandaigua - A plan submitted to the City by Rural Opportunities Inc. sites "hardship relief" to demolish 2 historical buildings in hopes of constructing 29 senior apartments. The buildings cannot be saved without considerable expense to Rural Opportunities, a non-for-profit entity that builds senior housing. Public hearings will be held regarding the site plans and senior housing. (4/5)
Irondequoit - Rochester General Hospital is hoping to open a new dialysis center and medical center on East Ridge Road. A proposed 32,000 square foot building needs rezoning, but first the hospital needs approval from the Department of Health. The new center will have a 40-station dialysis center along with medical offices and pediatric center. (5/21)
Rochester - Rochester General Hospital will receive a $9 million gift from Paychex founder B. Thomas Golisano. This is the third largest gift from Golisano to the area. The gift will be part of a multi-million dollar expansion that will include a larger emergency room, labs and intensive care. More than 80,000 patients visit the emergency room which was built to accommodate 50,000. The new emergency room will be completed in about three years. (3/24)
Rochester - RIT has started construction of its 35,000 square foot, $12 million Center for Bioscience Education and Technology. The new facility will have state-of-the-art laboratories and classrooms for students in the bioscientific programs. Excellus BC/BS will donate $2 million over the next 10 years for the center's main learning division. The building will be ready for students in the Fall, 2006. (4/8)
Rochester - Plans for a new $4.5 million student development center at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf have been announced. The two-story building will be located on the campus of Rochester Institute of Technology and include offices for student government, clubs and a communications center. Rochester is home to one of the largest deaf populations in the country. The new building is expected to be completed by the Fall, 2006. (4/15)
Rochester - The 45-year-old Wegman's building on Mt. Hope will be demolished as the UofR makes way for a parking lot. UofR bought the old store from Wegman's in August, 2004, with no future plans. A long-term plan for the hospital and campus is being started which will include the old Wegman's site. Wegmans closed the store in 2003 after experiencing continual losses. (5/4)
Rochester - The Rochester Rhinos are seeking more money from the state to finish their downtown stadium. $9 million has all ready been asked for, but now the Rhino soccer team has asked for $15 million. The additional funds is needed to make the new stadium a first-class facility. The extra money would increase the seating to 20,000, add 20 luxury boxes, and upgrade the lighting for the field and parking lot. If the Rhino's are awarded the additional money, the total price tag would be $41 million for the new stadium. (5/10)
Rochester - The Seneca Park Zoo is expanding its elephant exhibit by $4.4 million. The new complex will include a maternity stall for one of the Zoo's elephants due to give birth next March. An 11,000 square foot barn will be built along with a 23,000 square foot yard. The new space will be able to accommodate up to 5 elephants. The new complex, along with new pathways, will add 4 ½ acres to the zoo. (6/1)
Rochester - The State has allocated $500,000 for the city to look into redesigning the 40-year old Inner-Loop. The study will target Monroe Avenue to East Main Street portion of the inner-loop. The inner-loop was designed by the DOT to ease on city streets and improve access around the city. The number of cars projected to use the inner loop in 1965 was 100,000. Today, the inner loop sees less than 7,000 vehicles per day. (6/3)
Springwater - The Town Board voted against a moratorium on wind farms and will instead draft a local law to govern the construction and set up regulations. A proposed 14-turbine wind energy farm has local residents split with a 2:1 against the wind farm. Each turbine would stand 400 feet in height. The State of NY and the Public Service Commission has a policy that calls for ¼ of New York's electricity to come from renewable sources by 2013. (6/7)
1st Quarter 2005
Canandaigua - City planners are quickly moving on rezoning the lakefront to make the lakefront more attractive to developers and tourists. The hope is to build an access road behind Parkway Plaza and allow taller buildings on Lakeshore Drive. The current code limits buildings to 3 stories, or 40 feet. One developer had hoped to build an 8-story condominium complex on 5.6 acres, and was later denied. The developer has since abandoned the project. (1/28)
Canandaigua - Real estate tax rolls in the town have been re-evaluated and property owners will see an increase in their assessments. More than 4,000 properties were inspected in seven months. The last re- evaluation was in 2002 and the equalization rate has dropped from 100% to 87%. Property owners will have an opportunity to attend a grievance day to object to their new assessments. (3/1)
Gates - Clean up of the extensive underground fuel spill near the Erie Canal is nearing an end. Buckeye Pipeline Co. owns the pipeline that ruptured on three occasions in mid-December, 2004. About 29,700 gallons of petroleum based products was spilled. Fish or wildlife were not effected by the spill and groundwater does not show to be contaminated. The spill spread down 20 miles of the Erie Canal from Buffalo Road in Gates, to Sandy Creek in Holley, Orleans County. (12/22)
Greece - The Planning Board gave its go-ahead for a new development on the corner of Latta and Long Pond Roads. The site will include a two banks, a Dunkin Donuts and a full-service opthalmologist office. Construction should begin this spring (12/16)
Naples - The Nature Conservancy has acquired 220 acres for $145,000 which will be added to the Hi-Tor wildlife management areas. The property, called the Smith Tract, was formerly a farm located at the southern most portion of Canandaigua Lake consisting of flat meadowlands. The land will be reverted to its natural state of floodplains and wetlands. The Nature Conservancy has protected about 4,000 acres in the Finger Lakes area to help buffer and protect water quality. (12/28)
Penfield - Work will begin on the first phase of developing 70 acres of parkland on Five Mile Line Road. The Town plans to spend over $4 million building Rothfuss Park. The money will pay for new hiking trails, sport fields, a skate park, concession area, restrooms and picnic areas. Phase one will include removing two metal buildings and beginning work on an access road and parking lot. (2/24)
Rochester - The County Legislature approved the purchase of a 1,150-space parking lot located adjacent the airport on Brooks Avenue for $3.8 million. The 9.4 acre parcel was bought last year for $2.8 million and leased to the county. The property generated more than $1 million in parking revenue from air travelers traffic in 2004. (3/9)
Seneca County - Legislation was proposed by Gov. Pataki that would settle the land claim by Seneca-Cayuga Indian nations over thousands of acres across New York state. Seneca County has rejected the proposal, which would allow five casinos to be opened in the Catskills in exchange for dropping the land claim suit. Seneca County officials are concerned about the Cayuga's receiving sovereignty and selling untaxed goods. The proposal needs to pass through the state legislature and Congress in its next steps. (2/4)
Victor - Area residents and Town officials have called for a moratorium on development along a 2-mile stretch of Route 96. Benderson Development Corp. of Buffalo has proposed to build Victor Commerce Plaza on Route 96 near the on-ramp of 490. The plaza would include a Wal-Mart Super Center, retail shops and restaurants. A temporary building ban would give Town officials time to complete their work studying land-use and planning reviews. (1/17)
Victor - A $1 million state grant has been awarded towards the building of an $8 million recreation center being proposed for the town and school. The complex would be built on the school campus and include a fitness center, athletic fields, gymnasium and more, Construction would start in the spring of 2006 if voters approve the plans. (3/8)
4th Quarter 2004
Canandaigua - A developer that had proposed a 6 story condominium on Lakeshore Drive and later rescinded has asked the City Planning to meet half way. A portion of the 5.6 acre parcel would be allocated for a satellite commercial building in hopes that it would satisfied the city's requirements. The city is requiring all new waterfront development include first floor retail space. (9/16) In another attempt to have plans approved, the developer submitted a second proposal for a 60-unit condominium complex with first-floor retail space as the city requested. Instead of a six-story building, the builder wants to put up an 8-story building. Drawings will be submitted in January to the Planning Committee. (12/9)
Canandaigua - A company is seeking to expand into the Canandaigua and Farmington area with 85 miles of gas pipeline. The $140 million project is called the Empire Connector Project. Empire State Pipeline wants to link their existing Buffalo to Syracuse pipeline to include Rochester and extend as far as Corning. Empire State Pipeline is a supplier and transporter of natural gas to residential and commercial customers, as well as utility and power producers. Several informational meetings and open houses will be held throughout the area. (9/21)
Greece - The historic Yates-Thayer home has been under going major renovations under the scrutiny of the NYS Historic Preservation office. Built around 1900, the house 9,300-square-foot house was an apartment complex in its recent years. Now owned by a senior-living facility, Fleming Point, the home will house 3 luxury apartments and be able to hold public functions in three rooms. (12/2)
Greece -Plans were submitted to the Town Board for the expansion of YMCA facility on Long Pond Road. The $2 million project will increase parking capacity, expand the fitness center and add new locker rooms. Work on the parking would start immediately. The last phase of the project will enclose the outdoor pool sometime next fall. (9/23)
Henrietta - The members of the Henrietta Volunteer Ambulance officially opened their new base on Calkins Road. The new 11,000 square-foot facility features additional living and administrative space, upgraded computer and communications system. A new dispatch center and vehicle bay are also part of the $1.5 million improvements. Approximately 4500 calls are handled each year. (9/22)
Macedon - The town of Macedon has applied for state and federal grants to buy development rights on 884 acres of farmland. Macedon all ready owns development rights on 2,400 acres, purchased with earlier grants and from donations from the farmers. The town as a goal of protecting 6,000 acres of undeveloped land. The farmers will still be able to farm the land but the next owner can only use the property for agricultural purposes. (10/7)
Naples - The Town has agreed to lease space in the town gravel pit to Cingular Wireless for a cellular phone tower. Cingular will pay $12,000 per year for 5 years and build a 180 foot tower off of Hunt's Hollow Road. Space on the tower can also be leased to other cell phone companies, which would increase the payments to $17,000 per year. (10/17)
Penfield - A proposal to build a road along the front of Harris Whalen Park was denied after community members protested the idea. Summit Federal Credit Union proposed building a 4,500 square foot building on Penfield Road and hoped the new roadway would connect them to Parkside Commons. The problem is the park road is the only entry and exit for the park and Harris Hill Elementary School. Summit developers are still trying to get approval for the credit union and building the roadway on private property. (10/13)
Rochester - The Strong Museum announced a $33 million expansion which will nearly doubling the size and attract 650,000 visitors to the Rochester area. Construction has begun on the 112,000 square foot addition and is expect to take 2 years to complete. The project will add interactive exhibits for children, a butterfly sanctuary and an atrium resembling a giant caterpillar facing Chestnut Street, among other things. Strong Museum committed $17 million in investment funds, $6 million will be in public donations and $10 million will be financed. (9/22)
Rochester - The Manhattan Square Park will receive a $20 million overhaul over the next 2 years if all goes well. Located downtown, the park includes five-acres with a waterfall that doesn't work and an outdoor ice-skating rink in rundown condition. The first phase will replace the ice skating rink, repair the water attractions and rebuild the children's playground. Long range plans include removing the scaffolding hovering over the amphitheater, improve lighting and landscaping, and building a new skate rental facility. City officials had hoped construction would have started by now but have been delayed by the cost and the city's financial problems. (10/12)
Rochester - Rochester General Hospital has begun construction of its $14 million, six-level parking garage. The 1,280 space garage should be completed in February, 2006. Another project to expand the hospital's emergency care department will begin in 2005. The $45 million project will also build a new cardiothoracic intensive care unit, and enlarge the outpatient service center. (11/16)
Rochester - The University of Rochester has begun the construction of a $7.8 million expansion to the Nursing school. The new facility will be added to the school's Helen Wood Hall and include four new classrooms, an auditorium, conference room and atrium. UR has had a 60% increase in nursing enrollment since 2001. (12/10)
South Bristol - A gift of 38-acres overlooking the western end of Canandaigua Lake was donated to the Finger Lakes Land Trust for preservation. Donated by Odell Scott, a retired educator, the property is located on County Road 12 and will be managed by the Town of South Bristol. The town has all ready paved an overlook next to the property and hope to add a few hiking trails. The Scott property includes mature oak and hickory forest along with steep wooded ravines. (10/5)
Victor - The Victor Central School district and the Town have selected 2 committees and hired a consulting firm to study the building of a recreational complex on school property. The initial plan is for enclosed athletic fields, running track, a site for senior citizens activities, classrooms and offices for the Parks and Recreation department. The project could cost $6 million. Officials will meet in early January to schedule public comment sessions. (10/11)
West Bloomfield - A committee that reviews zoning within the town has suggested changing property along Elton Road and Route 64 from agricultural to medium to low-density residential. With the zoning changes, medium density zones can allow apartments, building complexes, townhouses and nursing homes provided the builder gets approval. Local residents have voiced their disapproval of the zoning changes. A formal meeting will be held in November. (10/19)
3rd Quarter 2004
Canandaigua - Owners of the Thomas Estates Mobile Home Park were put on notice for continued code violations by the Town Board. The renewal of the renting license was tabled in order to give the owners time to correct the violations. 35 of the 200 properties in the park had problems, the most serious being storage of unlicensed vehicles. Some of the homes in the park were missing the skirting required by law, and had broken windows and doors. Enforcement of code violations has become more stringent since the state adopted tougher property maintenance laws. (7/4)
Canandaigua - The Downtown Business Improvement District hopes to expand and include more of downtown side streets. A fee for services to the property owners would include cleaner sidewalks, flowers and snow removal all ready available to the central shopping district. So far, the response from those outside the district has been mixed. (7/30)
Canandaigua - Attendance was down 20% this year for Sonnenberg Gardens due primarily to the rainy summer. All ready in a financial crisis, City and Sonnenberg officials have asked the State to step in and add the grounds to the state park system. For two years Sonnenberg has tried to keep afloat after being taken for more than $400,000 by its former operating officer and foreclosure proceedings were started on a $1.1 million loan. The efforts to adopt the mansion into the State park system would save it from the auction, but State officials need reassurance that there will still be community and financial support. (8/19)
Fairport - The builder of Wisteria Grove on Whitney Road plans to build a 600-foot long, 100-foot wide retention pond on one side of the 23-lot subdivision. At a Planning Board meeting, local residents met with consultants concerned about flooding and mosquitoes. The consultants assured both parties the pond is being built for runoff purposes and the pond will meet DEC standards preventing stagnate water and the breeding of mosquitoes, which can carry West Nile Virus. The Planning Board deferred final approval while the builders can make modifications to the plans. (8/19)
Fiber-Optics - At a meeting of 50 business and community leaders, Ontario County proposed and outlined a 200 mile-long fiber-optics ring that would encompass the whole county. Currently, the county has a fragmented fiber-optics system and high speed internet access is unavailable to many communities. The ring would cost $7.3 million to complete and $400,000 per year to operate and maintain. Residents and businesses would be able to afford state of the art Internet access and benefit from the enhanced communications and information sharing. Cables would be placed along telephone lines which would provide uninterrupted service. (7/14)
Gates - Wegman's Food Markets has proposed to build a new entrance and roadway to its meat processing plant in Chili. A small section of Gates will be affected by the entrance and impact at least 5 homes where the new road will closely abut their backyards. Wegman's plans to build a $40 million meat processing plant and the new roadway would allow truck traffic a direct access to the expressway. Residents at Kernwood Drive in Gates are concerned about traffic, property values and safety. (7/26)
Geneva - A state grant will pay for the landscaping and walkways on a one-acre portion of Castle Creek Park on Seneca Lake. The $250,000 is part of a $6.6 million revitalization project in Geneva to connect the lakefront with the commercial district. (7/27)
Greece - The Department of Environmental Conservation issued $440,000 in grants for 3 separate open space and preservation parcels. $200,000 went to the Town of Greece for the purchase of 49 acres to expand Braddock Bay Fish and Wildlife Management Area; $200,000 for the purchase and repair of a 154 year old building in the village of Brockport; and $40,000 to the First Presbyterian Church in Albion for restoration work. (6/24)
Greece - Town Board members voted to consolidate its Human Services Department into one community center to be built on the Town Hall campus. A 35,000 square foot building will replace 2 buildings currently used by the department. The new building will double capacity, and cost $5.2 million. Construction could start as soon as next spring and be completed by the end of 2005. (7/29)
Macedon - The Town Board rezoned 71 acres on Route 31 from office, research and manufacturing to general commercial. The change will make a continuous stretch of commercial property near the corner of Route 31 and Wayneport Road, just over the Monroe County line. 200 acres will be available for any number of commercial possibilities, which also includes multiple family dwellings with a special use permit. The developer, Laker Development, have no immediate plans for the land. (8/12)
Project Funds - A Senate panel approved $13.5 million to fund projects in the Rochester area. Infotonics in Canandaigua would receive $5 million to help support ongoing operation under the 2005 Defense Department spending bill. RIT would receive $5 million to develop and test high-tech sensors for the military. Another $3.5 million was approved by the Senate for General Motors in Honeoye Falls to create a light-duty truck for the Army fueled with hydrogen-powered fuel cell technology. (6/24)
Rochester - An engineering firm has been hired by the city to design street improvements for West Main Street between Broad and Madison Streets. Included in the project would be street resurfacing, special sidewalks, street lighting and tree plantings. The engineering firm was hired for $90,000 and the street project could cost about $710,000 and begin next spring. (8/9)
Rochester - Monroe Community College has opened its new Construction and Design Institute at its Applied Technology Center in Brighton. The Institute will be offering degree programs in construction, electronics, HVAC, interior design, telecommunications and engineering science. The school also offers certificate programs in small business and recertification for professional programs. 100 students have enrolled for the fall class program. (9/10)
Victor - In a confusing and controversial request, the Victor School's have asked for a $1.3 million contribution from the Farmington Town Board towards the $5.5 million community center to be built on the Victor School campus. The Farmington boards remains skeptical to invest in a civic center for Victor Central School students, some of which are from Farmington. Three school districts divide Farmington residents and those that don't attend Victor will find higher fees to use the rec center when their tax dollars contributed to the conception. Officials in Farmington have tabled their decision for now. (8/13)
2nd Quarter 2004
Canandaigua - Title to the 56 acre waterpark will transfer officially to Troser Recreation Properties, LLC after months of a legal process to foreclose on the bonds purchased in March 2003. The former owner of the bonds, Canandaigua Recreation Development Corp., has since dissolved but still has another step to take in that process with the State of New York. Paradise Waterparks, builder and manager of the waterpark, failed to meet its debt obligations and defaulted after 2 seasons. The new owner, Dan Fuller of Bristol Mountain, is preparing the waterpark for the coming summer season, June 19 through September 6th. (4/23)
Canandaigua - In the coming months of summer, nearly 800 houses are planned to be built on the north end of Canandaigua Lake, which is a huge concern for the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Alliance. A conference has been schedule by the group to illustrate the development around the Lake. Hundreds of other homes have been built in the past decade that drain into Canandaigua Lake. The conference will open up the opportunity for the municipalities to work together to preserve the lake for future generations. (4/26)
Greece - The first phase of the Ridge Road reconstruction is about to be completed as the second phase is set to begin. Phase 1 cost $21 million and covers Route 390 to Handford Landing, a 5.3 mile stretch. The roadway was widened and a median was added to reduce the number of accidents. Phase 2 will begin in the fall with underground utility relocation. The whole project is expected to be completed in the winter of 2007. (4/22)
Henrietta - Construction has begun on the local portion of the Lehigh Trail System which will consist of about 3 miles of raised trails and sidewalks. The trail system will interconnect hiking and bicycling trails following the now defunct Lehigh Railroad railbed. The whole Lehigh Trail System will someday connect communities throughout the Finger Lakes region. Henrietta's portion will follow the old railbed from East Henrietta to Pinnacle Road, cross underneath Erie Station Road, the Thurway and Lehigh Station Road and wind into Veteran's Memorial Park. It will then connect into Brighton's portion of the trail. Costs for the combined Brighton and Henrietta's portion will be $1.4 million and scheduled to open in the fall. (3/24)
Henrietta - NYSDOT officials are beginning the construction phase of a $20 million project to replace Ballantyne Bridge. The Ballantyne Bridge will be expanded from 4 lanes to 8 lanes and also involves rebuilding access to the East River & Scottsville Roads as well as replacing the bridge over Black Creek. New sidewalks and additional turning lanes will part of the improvements included in Jefferson and Ballantyne Roads. The Ballantyne Bridge project is the first phase of a larger $50 million project to rebuild Jefferson Road. (3/31)
Macedon - The Town of Macedon has purchased 5.3 acres next to the landfill on Quaker Road because a study found garbage had been buried there. The acreage, along with the landfill, will be capped-off this year as required by New York State. The town took household and industrial waste at the 18-acre landfill from 1957 to 1977. The landfill was covered with topsoil when it was closed, an acceptable method at the time. A Landfill Closure Assistance Program will help pay for half of the $3.3 million needed to close the site properly. Testing found no hazardous waste buried at the landfill. (5/2)
Naples - Town officials are contacting several communities that have laws regulating wind turbines similar to those planned in the neighboring towns. Two wind farms are planned for Prattsburgh and Italy in Yates County, with 50 windmills each. The Planning Board will review what other towns are doing and set up regulations by the end of the year. South Bristol has effectively banned industrial windmills. The turbines can reach a height of 400 feet and generate electricity to sell (5/23)
Ontario County - A revised plan for economic development was adopted by Ontario County as the Cornell Ag and Food Tech Park and Infotonics begin to collaborate on their future. The County's strategic plan calls for strengthening the process of patenting commercially viable products; develop and retain a world-class work force, ie. Scientists, engineers and designers; to retain and expand existing industries; promote retail development and initiate community programs. (5/14)
Pittsford - A new set of zoning regulations was passes by the Pittsford Town Board for the southwest portion of the town. The new regulations are set on a sliding scale where-by meeting certain criteria, developers could build more homes on a lot. A development that didn't meet any of the criteria and 20 acres in size could have 4 homes. If a developer met all the criteria, one unit per acre would be allowed on lots over 20 acres. The zoning changes establish a special Rural Residential South Pittsford zone, which would allow for subdivisions. (4/14)
Pittsford - The Pittsford Community Library is slated for demolition as construction to build the new library begins. The new 30,000 square foot library will blend with the village's historic community costing nearly $4.1 million. (6/2)
Prattsburgh - Two developers that would like to build energy producing windmills have offered a total of $650,000 in lieu of taxes to the towns of Italy and Prattsburgh. WindFarm Prattsburgh, LLC hopes to build 50 towers, paying $5000 per turbine. Property owners that lease to WindFarm would receive $3000 per windmill per year. The contract would also over any hike in property taxes. Ecogen of West Aurora has proposed a 50 towers with total payments in lieu of taxes of $395,000 for local government and $3000 to landowners for leased space. (4/23)
Rochester - The Greater Rochester International Airport has had to lease three additional parking lots to accommodate overflow as traffic increased 7% in the last 2 months. During the February school break, the airport ran out of parking and used the employee parking for overflow. Monroe County currently operates 5,600 parking spaces for the airport. The growth is partly due to the low-fare carriers now situate at the airport. (4/9)
Rochester - The State Department of Transportation has started work on the replacement of the Interstate 490 Bridge over Genesee River in downtown Rochester. The current bridge was built in the mid-1950's for $2.69 million. A steel arch bridge will give the downtown skyline a dynamic new look and the will be the widest arch bridge in the country at 138 feet. The arches will rise 70 feet above the roadway and the bridge will be 433 feet long. Riverside overlooks and pedestrian walkways will be built under the span and lights will showcase the cables suspending from the arches. The new bridge is part of DOT's $85 million Western Gateway Project to rebuild I-490 which began last year and is expected to be completed in 5 years. (5/7)
Rochester - Another lowfare airline will be making a debut at the Rochester International Airport this summer. Independence Air will fly non stop between Rochester and Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C. The airline will announce its schedule for each of the 50 cities they intend to service sometime in May. Travelers can expect fares comparable to those offered by other low-cost carriers, such as Jet Blue and Air-Tran. (4/9)
1st Quarter 2004
Brighton-- Plans for spending $10 million on renovations in two Brighton schools is waiting for a vote from the Board of Education. French Hill Road School and Council Rock School are the two schools on the agenda for the improvements. More classroom, cafeteria and gymnasium space is included in the expansion for each school. If the school board passes the plans in January, Brighton residents could vote on the proposed plans in March, 2004. Officials estimate the completion of the renovations would be by September, 2006. (1/21)
Brighton-- Plans are finalized for three new baseball fields in the Buckland Park located off Westfall Road. The park was approved in 2002 and building should be complete in the spring of 2005. The cost of capital improvements to the fields will be split between the Town of Brighton and Brighton Baseball. There will be dugouts, irrigation systems and electronic scoreboards to pay for along with lighting at one of the diamonds. Included in the first phase of development, along with the baseball fields, are three soccer fields, a concession and restroom building, pavilion and playground. This phase will cost a little more than $2 million. Phase two will cost roughly the same and include nature trails, two sport fields, basketball courts, a garden area, and more.
Brighton-- 50 residents of Torrington Drive met with the Town of Brighton, DEC officials and the Monroe County Health Department to discuss the cleanup of the gas leak in their neighborhood. Cleanup efforts could start as early as March 21st and last more than a year once the remediation system is installed. Attorney's for the homeowners and owners of the gas station are in negotiation regarding access to the homes for cleanup. Families will have to be displaced for a time in order to properly extract the pollutants. The gas station records indicate a loss of 8,000 gallons of gas from May through September, 2003. (2/18)
Brockport-- A project that has been talked about for decades may get funding from the federal government. The $5.8 million study to lengthen Route 531 about six miles from Route 36 will be used to complete preliminary environmental and engineering studies. The major project of construction would cost $70 million and take 2 to 3 years to complete. A bill recently passes by the House and Senate for funding is now on its way to President Bush for consideration. (1/27)
Canandaigua-- A 200 page document detailing options for expanding the Canandaigua Airport is available to the public for review. The FAA recommends expanding the existing runway from 2300 feet to a 5,500 foot runway with a taxiway . This would increase jet traffic from one jet a month to almost 500 by the year 2007. A formal presentation of the FAA recommendations will take place in early February, as well as a question and answer session. More meetings will take place throughout the year to discuss the environmental impact. Drafts and updates will include the public's concerns in any documents presented to the FAA for final presentation and approval. There are about 23 factors that are studied for an environmental impact, including noise, waterways and wildlife.
Canandaigua-- A $6 million plan to relocate the city school districts bus garage received favorable reviews at a public meeting. Response was also positive for plans to create four soccer fields on an unused parcel of land owned by the district. The new bus garage could cost between $3.5 to $6 million based upon similar projects done in other districts. About 60 to 70% of the cost could be covered by the state. Sale of the 17 acre bus garage would also help lower the final price. The bus garage is currently located on North Pearl Street in the city, a residential neighborhood. Before implementing the plans, both issues would come before a community vote this fall. (2/13)
Canandaigua-- A federal commission rejected the proposal to shut down the Canandaigua VA Medical Center. A 16-member panel established by the Department of Veteran's Affairs to oversee a $4.6 billion overhaul reversed its earlier recommendation to close the Canandaigua VA along with 6 other VA hospitals nationwide. The only decision from the panel regarding the Canandaigua VA was to move 50 psychiatric beds to other facilities in upstate NY. (2/13)
Clifton Springs-- The Midlakes Central School board agreed to meet informally with Newark Central counterpart and discuss a possible merger of its districts. Letters were also sent to four neighboring districts - Pal-Mac, Sodus, Lyons and Marion, by the superintendent of the Newark School for the same consideration. Each district that merges gets a 40% increase in operating aid for the first five years. Mergers cannot proceed without state Education Department review and approval. A majority vote must also be taken from residents in both districts in separate referendums. The process could take up to two years. (2/13)
Egypt-- A revised plan for a town center was formally endorsed by the Town Board for the historical hamlet of Egypt. The Town spent 8 months and $25,000 on the revised report. The goals set out in the new report have become more specific. Mason and Loud roads were the focus by the Town Board for development as the center of town. The plan includes a mixed use of both commercial and residential sites, in style with a village with narrow streets and pedestrian amenities. Development is to gradually disperse as it goes toward the community edges. (12/18)
Farmington-- The Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack opened their new video lottery terminal on Wednesday, February 18th. After a $10 million renovation, the new facility is expected to boost attendance and revenue for the race track. To handle the expected 1 million visitors this year, the track has hired 240 new employees, brining its total employment close to 300 full time and 500 part time workers. The new gaming floor will remain open all year, whereas the track is seasonal. (2/17)
Henrietta-- The area around the Lehigh Station and West Henrietta Road intersection is undergoing a $7.7 million restructuring. A one-mile left turn lane will be added to each road along with a rebuilt intersection to withstand the elements and heavy traffic. The entire project is expected to be finished by 2005. (2/11)
Holley-- Twelve homeowner families have filed a $3.6 million lawsuit against their homeowners insurance companies claiming breach of contract. The Orleans County families have not been able to live in their houses since a chemical spill in 2002. The Diaz Chemical Corp. in Holley blew open a safety valve which released a cloud of toxic chemicals that dropped into the homes near the Jackson Street plant. The lawsuit is seeking damages and reimbursement for the homes, rental properties and contents damaged by the spill. Eleven insurance companies are names in the filing. More than 150 Holley residents have filed a $63 million lawsuit since the spill. Another suit was filed by the state Attorney General's Office and the DEC. Diaz Chemical finally filed for bankruptcy liquidation and shut down. In November, the EPA started to remove chemicals left at the Diaz property and is still waiting for results from recent air, soil and water tests. (01/13)
Huron-- 40 acres of valuable ecological wetlands and upland hardwoods in Huron, Wayne County was donated to the state by an anonymous donor. The property includes a rare 1400 feet of undeveloped shoreline along Lake Ontario. It also borders the 6,130 acre Lake Shore Marshes, managed by New York as a birding area. The 40 acres will be protected from development preserving its natural character and wildlife habitat. Since 1995, New York has protected more than 500,000 acres in the Open Space Conservation Program. (2/24)
Irondequoit-- The town boards of Penfield, Webster and Irondequoit have adopted the Irondequoit Bay Harbour Management Plan. Under this plan, all three towns will share the common vision for the future of Irondequoit Bay. First, the towns will be highlighting general goals for the bay and then will revise ordinances so all will follow the same guidelines. A state grant and funds from the towns and Monroe County paid for the plan. In the long run, the plans hopes to preserve Irondequoit Bay's natural features and make the water more user friendly.
Italy-- Members of Italy Advocates are putting up strong opposition to a 2000 acre wind farm that will be located in both Yates and Steuben Counties. The project will include as many as 50 windmills. Advocates believe the windmills would be an eyesore, lower property taxes and create noise and light pollution. According the Global Winds Harvest of Albany, the 380 foot windmills, that have 120 foot blades, would cost $70 million to build. Town Board members was in favor of the project, but have decided to remain neutral as a result of community opposition. The project is currently being reviewed by the NYS Energy Research and Development Authority. A decision on whether to enact a moratorium on the development of power-generating enterprises has not been made yet. (2/13)
Mendon-- The zipcode for the Town of Mendon, 14506, ended up first on a list of the area's wealthiest suburbs. A six-county region list was compiled by ESRA Business Information based on zip codes. Mendon's median income earned by residents for 2003 was $103,458 and surpassed Pittsford's, 14534, $97,915 household income. Number three on the list this year is Honeoye Falls, 14472, taking the place of Fairport, 14450 which is came in at number four. (01/02)
Naples-- The Village Board has introduced a plan that would allow a mix of businesses and homes in three areas of the village. Members of the Zoning Board of Appeals rejected the plan stating that it would undermine the character of the village. The proposal of mixed use zoning is just one part of the comprehensive plan which will outline where and how growth will occur in the village.
Penfield-- At a public hearing, local residents had both praise and criticism for the proposed building of a YMCA. A 65,000 square foot facility will be located on Route 250 and sit on 52 acres. Included in the plans are gym and pool facilities, fitness center, locker rooms, child-watch rooms and exercise studios, as well as administrative offices and multi-purpose rooms. President and CEO of the Greater Rochester YMCA, George Romell said the facility would produce a great deal of activities and create 25 full time jobs and about 300 part time jobs. Local business owners do not see this as a benefit. The YMCA would have a competitive advantage because it is exempt from property taxes. The YMCA has had to submit a request for a special use permit for the new building. The location of the property is zoned agricultural and residential which exclude certain types of buildings, including that of the proposed YMCA.
Pittsford-- A plan to build a middle school for $106.5 million on Calkins Road is having difficulty getting off the ground. Disputes between the Pittsford school district and a state preservation group have come to an impasse as they wait for the Army Corps of Engineers to submit its requirements for construction. Preservation officials claim the project will have an adverse impact on the neighboring Hopkins Farm, which is listed in the National Historic Register. School officials note that they have done everything in their power to mitigate the impact of the plan. Site plans have been sent to the state Educational Department for approval, a major step toward construction. The approximately 203,000 square foot school will be built on Calkins Road near its intersection with Clover Street. The district also plans to build five athletic fields and 10 tennis courts. (1/14 & 1/28)
Pittsford-- Guidelines set by the American Society of Highway Transportation Officials differ with the village's plans to remove steel guardrails along the canal path and the roadway involved in the renovation of Schoen Place. The village wants to put a grass median and trees near an area that could be hazardous if a car were to leave the roadway. One side is the deep waters of Erie Canal and the other side is gas station.
Rochester/Toronto-- At a news conference at City Hall, a video and pictures were unveiled showing the $42.5 million ferry in its first trial run. The ship, called Spirit of Ontario, was clocked at a speed of 55 mph in Australia, the fastest ship built by its maker, Austal Ltd. The ship features a restaurant, a bar, business class, movie theatre and children's play area. At 254 feet long, and five stories high, the ship will be able to carry about 750 passengers and about 220 cars. One-way fares will be $25 per walk-on passenger, $40 per vehicle, and $20 for additional passengers. On May 1st, the ferry will begin making the 2-hour and ten minute voyage between Rochester and Toronto. The Toronto Port Authority has yet to begin building a ferry terminal but is expect to start its $8 million project in February. The Port of Rochester will have its $19 million ferry terminal done in March. Future development of the 38 acre park is still in discussion with city official. The plan is to invest more than $100 million in the port area over several years. (01/14 & 2/20)
Rochester-- Kodak and Xerox have joined a pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through a voluntary federal program. In an announcement from the EPA, Kodak will reduce its worldwide production of greenhouse gases by 10% by 2008. Xerox will announce its specific goals later this year. Other participating companies include IBS, Johnson & Johnson, Miller Brewing Co., and U.S. Steel Corp. Chief among the targeted six greenhouse gases nationally is carbon monoxide. Like the others, carbon monoxide is a byproduct of burning coal. Boilers at Kodak consume about 700,000 tons of coal per year, down from 850,000 tons five years ago. Energy efficient programs have helped lower these numbers. (01/14)
Rochester-- 3,000 cubic yards from the bottom of the Genesee River will be extracted in the final clean up phase of a 2001 chemical spill. The derailment of 47 car CSX train along River Street toppled 23 cars and created an immense chemical fire. 140,000 gallons of solvents soaked or poured into the Genesee River. The dredging of 13,100 square feet of river bottom would remove contaminated sediments digging down an average of 4 feet. The parties involved have discussed the dredging plan, the City's riverside development timetable and a plan to implement long-term monitoring of the contaminated site. (2/3)
Rochester-- The public is invited to share their comments on a master plan for the preservation and management of the 524-mile canal corridor system. A federal panel hopes to finish up a long-range management plan that focuses on tourism business development, historical features, marketing and investment. Established in 1999, the state commission has spent $500,000 and needs another $50,000 to finish up its report. The corridor waterways are next to 220 communities . The western corridor covers 46 communities in Monroe, Wayne, Orleans, Erie and Niagara counties. Economic development and recreational opportunities are among the top priorities.
4th Quarter 2003
Brighton-- Clean up by town, state and county agencies of a gas spill is ongoing as an investigation gets underway. Six homes on Torrington Drive were affected by the gas fumes this fall. The fumes rose from a sanitary sewer located under Torrington Drive, across the street from a Citgo gas station at 2087 Monroe Avenue. The station's inventory shows a discrepancy of 8000 gallons of gas from May through September. The gas station has since been demolished, and the tanks removed. The DEC and town officials are working together with owner, Newcomb Oil, to thoroughly investigate and properly clean up the spill. The DEC is monitoring soil and water in the area for contamination. Tests have detected the presence of a dry cleaning solvent but have not named the source of this chemical.
Bushnells Basin-- A new fire house will be located on a 4.8-acre parcel at 661 Kreag Road. The current facility was built in 1961 when it was established for a much smaller fire department. The new plan must meet the approval of the Perinton Town Board as well as the Conservation and Planning Boards. Any zoning variances required will need to be approved by the Zoning Board as well.
Greece-- The town approved a bond of up to $990,000 for the purchase of 116 acres of open space located on Manitou Beach Road and North Greece Road. $125,000 would be contributed by Monroe County's green-space initiative, $250,000 from the state and the Town's portion of $480,000 to be paid by bonds. The areas contain significant wetlands and a natural habitat for wildlife, including migratory birds.
Henrietta-- The town's recently re-created Comprehensive Land Use Plan calls for a village like town center in the Hylan Drive and Calkins Road area surrounding the Dome Center. The master plan also includes a Senior Center, Town Hall and Henrietta Public Library. The comprehensive plan also recommends land that be reserved for senior housing, and mixed use buildings for apartments, retail and professional offices. The plan also recommended that larger commercial developments be restricted to the eastern portion of the town center district. The town hopes to convey a small village-like feel with more sidewalks, smaller shops and restaurants.
Honeoye-- The DEC purchased 890 acres located at the southern end of Honeoye Lake that will become part of the Honeoye Inlet Management Area. The wetlands portion of the land filters water entering into Honeoye Lake. The parcel includes open meadows and an oak-hickory forest.
Irondequoit-- Plans for a 4.7 mile trail system from Sea Breeze to Thomas Avenue have been put together. The $2.3 million Irondequoit Lakeside Trail construction could begin next fall. A pedestrian and bicycle path will connect to the Genesee River, Lake Ontario and Irondequoit Bay. The Town is also working on a plan for a water taxi along the lake, and turning the entry way to Seabreeze into a two-lane boulevard.
Pittsford-- Three towns have joined with the Genesee Transportation Council to extend a trail system some eight miles from Fishers and Victor to Route 65 in Pittsford. Under this plan, the trail would wind past Powder Mills Park, the Southeast YMCA, Schoen Place and Monroe Avenue in Pittsford. Portions of the trail are abandoned railways formerly of the Auburn Line Corridor. The cost is expected to be $29,500, with $18,000 being contributed from Genesee Transportation Council, $1,500 from Perinton and $5,000 each from Victor and Pittsford.
Pittsford-- Construction is expect to begin in February, 2004, for the Schoen Place face lift. Improvements include a pedestrian plaza, a wooden dock and pavilion, and more landscaped trail areas. The village is also looking for ways to solve parking problems. Two grants of $100,000 will help fund the improvements while the village will put up another $100,000.
Rochester-- Founder and chief, Thomas Golisano, donated $5 million towards the $45 million expansion of Nazareth College. The "B. Thomas Golisano Academic Complex" building will be created from the donation. The former Sisters of St. Joseph motherhouse on campus will now become the academic hub of the expanded campus.
Rochester-- Home Properties Inc. announced that the new president and chief executive, Edward Pettinella, will take over as of January 1, 2004. Founders Norman and Nelson Leenhouts are slowly moving away from their company. In a turnaround move, the brothers announced their buyout of Home Properties commercial property management business. This means that they will still have a hand in the best known properties in the city of Rochester, including Midtown Plaza and Clinton Square.
3rd Quarter 2003
Brighton-- County transporation department officials want to renovate a 12-mile stretch of Elmwood Avenue, from Hollywood Avenue to Clover Street. The project would add raised curbs, expand the shoulders from four to six feet, widen intersections and add a sidewalk. Previously, the proposed project irked residents and town officials, however, after a project walk-thru, citing drainage, safety and traffic congestion, many residents and town officials now have a better understanding of the needs and concerns. Negotiations over the road's width of the shoulder and other matters continue, but officials are sure the final design will suit everyone. Construction could start as early as this fall. Financing was not disclosed. (6/25)
Brighton-- Soon, those interested in properties in Brighton will be able to locate the information from their home computer. The town is set to digitalize all maps on record and all information relating to maps with a system called GIS, or Geographic Information System. The town received a $50,000 state grant in June to make the switch from paper to high-tech. To go digital, the town will scan all of the maps, photographs and documents into digital files ready for viewing at another computer. Town officials are pleased with the grant and the GIS system and believe it will be a tremendous gain of time and efficiency, and acknowledge the GIS will be good 20 years from now. (7/23)
Farmington-- Residents will have an opportunity to speak out on the proposed $10 million upgrade of the sewer treatment plant, before the Town Board votes on the plan, which would be the largest capital project the town has seen to date. The upgrades include two digester tanks, primary, secondary and final-stage treatment tanks and construction work in two of the facility's five buildings. If passed, the current sewer rate of $48 per quarter per unit could climb by as much as $41.50 per quarter per unit. In addition to voting on the sewer treatment proposal, the Town Board will vote on an amendment to its town code, making residents responsible for keeping brush, grass and weeds to six inches or below. (9/9)
Greece-- A land deal of about 110 acres of protected land to Braddock Bay could be near. State and local officials are interested in preserving the marshy area along Lake Ontario, as part of Monroe County's Green Space Initiative Program. Along Salmon Creek, the purchase would provide public access to 3,500 more feet of shoreline and the Dahlhim property, a farm located at 107 Hogan Point Road would be allowed to revert back to its wild state. The town is set to buy 37.64 acres of the property for $505,000 -- $250,000 from the Green Space Initiative grant and the remainder from its Recreation Trust Fund. NYS Department of Environmental Conservation will buy 73.17 acres with $587,218 from the Environmental Protection Fund. The property, if purchased, would fill a gap between the state-owned Burger property to the east and protected acreage to the west owned by the Genesee Land Trust. A contract date has not been set. (6/14)
Greece-- The town's planning department is under scrutiny, as they under go a townwide zoning change. Tami Farnand, an independent realtor, sold a multiple-family home to a couple in a single-family neighborhood and has been unable to close the deal because of zoning changes. Tami along with many residents have gathered at meetings with the Town Board to express their concerns about the details. Many residents found out about the zoning changes when they tried to sell their properties. The zoning changes are intended to slightly decrease commercial, industrial and residential zones and increase the town's public land holdings. According to town officials, the goal of new zoning rules is to make the town's zoning code conform to its master plan. (6/26)
Perinton-- After nearly two years of negotiations, Perinton is set to buy the development rights to 40 acres of the Wagner family dairy farm in the northeast section of town. A purchase agreement puts a price tag of $320,000 on the parcel at the southeast corner of Carter and Furman roads. The agreement is contingent on Town Board approval and a public hearing will be held before a decision is made. The Wagner family will continue to own the property and to use it for dairy farming. This is the second time the town has bought development rights to a farm. The proposed purchase is one more step in Perinton's plan to preserve dwindling green space. The money to buy the rights will come from a town reserve fund specially set aside for open space acquisitions. (6/19)
Rochester-- The Erie Canal was designated in 2000 by Congress as one of only 23 National Heritage Corridors in the U.S. and two architectural firms have teamed up to devise strategies and recommendations to preserve historical aspects of the canal and promote development along its shores. The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission and National Park service hired Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners LLC of NYC and Sasaki Architects, Landscape Architects & Professional Engineers PC of Watertown, MA to work with existing canal groups and communities in developing its latest plans. A final report worth $874,000 is expected in about two years. Beyer and Sasaki are quite familiar with the canal, which opened in 1825 and later expanded, as they created a master plan for the state Thruway Authority in 1995, that promoted trails and boating along the waterway. The firms will work with existing canal groups and communities in developing its latest plan, including the 27-member commission created last year to oversee it and promote tourism, recreation and economic development in an area that includes more than 200 cities, towns and villages. The commission can receive up to $1 million a year in federal funding for 10 years and additional money can be obtained for specific projects through requests from Congress. (9/9)
Rochester-- Genesee Transportation Council members voted to reallocate some $30 million in federal funding toward the proposed $60 million downtown transit center. William Nojay, chairman of the Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority, said the agency has approximately $42 million to go forward with the project. A date has not yet been set to begin this project. (6/27)
Rush-- Local businessman, Rick Dorschel, owner of Dorschel Automotive Group, is asking, for the third time in so many years, for the Rush Town Board to rezone 9.1 acres of property from residential to commercial along the northeast corner of Routes 251 and 15. In 2000, Dorschel wanted the land rezoned to build an additional car dealership. In 2002, he wanted rezoning to open senior housing and stores. Both requests were withdrawn in the face of largely hostile reactions from residents. Currently, Dorschel is seeking rezoning for retail, office space and a gas station. The plan includes a 4,000 sq.ft. restaurant, a 4,675 sq.ft. bank and 2,800 sq.ft. convenience store. The plan also calls for 6,000 sq.ft. of additional retail space and two 5,200 sq.ft. office buildings. The 9.1 acres is part of a larger vacant 27-acre plot owned by Dorschel and is just off the exit of Interstate 390, kitty-corner to his existing dealership. The Planning Board reviewed the plans and advised the Town Board to reject the rezoning request. Board officials stated the plan did not fit into their Land Use Plan. Upon hearing the Planning Boards recommendation, Dorschel rescinded his request. (7/30, 9/3)
2nd Quarter 2003
Brighton-- Brighton and County officials are at a standstill on a proposed $4 million improvement project on Elmwood Avenue. The project, which is expected to start in 2004, is to be completely funded by federal, state and county funding. It covers a 1.2 mile stretch of Elmwood near the Twelve Corners, from Hollywood Avenue to Clover Street. Among the improvements is a reconstructed shoulder which would vary in width, but would be mostly 6 feet wide. The Elmwood neighborhood has requested the shoulders be reduced to 4 feet as they were for the Erie Station and Kreag Road projects. County transportation officials claim they cannot build shoulders less than 6 feet in reconstruction and residents claim it is a decision based on politics. (3/26)
Brighton-- Spring has sprung and according to highway superintendent, Wilbur Shone, work has begun for the highway department. Ditching to control run off along county and town highways is underway, and a new driveway culvert and 200 feet of drainage improvements have been completed on the 350 block of Cheese Factory Road. Preparations are being made for the water line hook up at the Highway Department and Semmel Road Park. And although there are no state highway projects in the town, there are two county projects - paving of both Quaker Meeting House Road and Cheese Factory Road. (4/2)
Fairport-- The village of Fairport has received a $25,000 matching grant from the state to study what officials say is the last underdeveloped stretch of canal-front property in the business district. The roughly 3-acre property formerly used as a marina for "The Fairport Lady" commonly referred to as the "old marina site" sits on the north side of the canal, between the waterway and the railroad tracks. The site has been inactive for about five years and is divided into two parcels - one of which is owned by village resident Donn Calabrese, and the other by Conking and Calabrese, a building supply company. Bob Radell, director of the Village's Industrial Development Agency said they secured the grant and will pay the other $25,000 to fund a study of the best uses for the property. Radell expects the study to begin by the end of May and hopes to have it completed by fall. (3/20)
Greece-- Construction on Ridge Road is underway and is expected, in its entirety, to be completed by December 2007. The entire project will reconstruct and widen a 5.3 mile stretch of West Ridge Rd. between Route 390 and Hunford Landing. The project will create a wider shoulder for bike space and will add a raised center median between Route 390 and Mayflower Street. To date, about 22 percent of the first phase of the project or nearly $6 million worth, has been completed. Most recent estimates have put the first phase - from Route 390 to Dewey Avenue - at $22 million with an anticipated completion of the phase by December 2004. (4/17)
Greece-- The town has created an internet database that shows what Greece's roughly 32,000 properties are worth, and what owners pay in taxes. Tax information is downloaded from Monroe County's mainframe and added to the town's database. The service cost the town $7,100 to set up in the first year and will cost $2,100 every subsequent year to update the information. Staff expect to spend less time on the phone answering tax and assessment questions because users now have the information at their fingertips. (4/29)
Greece-- The town of Greece will hold three public meetings this month on its new draft zoning plan to get the public's input on their vision. The new zoning, that would change the way some portions of Greece look in the coming decades, is based on recommendations the Town Board approved in a land-use plan created two years ago. The largest change comes in the rural area between North Greece and Manitou roads, where density would decrease from one house per 18,000 sq. ft. to one house per 44,000 sq. ft. or one acre. Officials say they want to lower the density of houses in the last ortion of town that remains largely undeveloped. The draft also calls for a patch of West Ridge Road between North Greece and Manitou roads to be zoned for more commercial development. Greece's land is now 6 percent commercial and that will not change with this rezoning. (6/15)
Henrietta-- The State Department of Transportation started work Wednesday on widening and reconstructing the intersection of Lehigh Station Road and West Henrietta Road. The $7.7 million project will include a new drainage system, new storm water and wetland facility, new curbing, new sidewalks and repaving of the road. Drainage work is expected to start in April. To reduce traffic congestion, the plan is to add a second travel lane in each direction and a center turning lane. The project is expected to be completed by fall 2005. (3/27)
Henrietta-- Entered into a tentative agreement with Chili-based Forest Creek Equity Corp., the town plans to acquire 50 acres of land along the Genesee River, located just across the street from the Riverton Golf Course, for use as a passive/nature park. The site is part of a larger 300-acre parcel the developer plans to build as many as 400 to 500 single-family homes on over a 10 year period. There is no word on how much, if anything, it will cost the town to acquire the land. Funding for the project will come from the town's pending sale of the Riverton Golf Course and defunct Riverhead park to the DeMino family. The park is scheduled to open in 2004. (4/9)
Perinton-- Monroe County has proposed finishing off construction on the Lyndon Road Bridge with a single pedestrian ramp connecting the bridge to the canal path, allowing families in the area to walk from Lyndon Road to the baseball fields or Thomas Creek Ice Rink as early as next spring. The connection will be a ramp structure built with concrete and steel that switches its direction between the bridge and the path. The upper section of the ramp will be about 267 feet long, and the lower section will be about 135 feet. The project will cost approximately $1 million, most of which is supplied by the state and already secured. (5/15)
Pittsford-- Residents may one day be able to get building permits through the town's web site. Providing these and other services is one of the recommendations to come out of a committee formed last year to find ways to improve and expand communications with residents. Among the committee's suggestions were making the web site easier to locate, enhancing the site's content and making it easier to navigate. According to a committee representative, the web site is easy and less costly to update than modifications made by paper, making processes more efficient. The Town Board will review the report to determine how they will implement these recommendations and in what order. (4/9)
Rochester-- The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester wants to build an addition onto Sacred Heart Cathedral and tear down a house to create a large, landscaped parking lot. The overall $6 to $8 million project to renovate the interior and exterior of the building includes building an addition with an atrium connecting the rectory and church and office space, a framed monumental archway, an elevated terrace providing access to the main entrance, and a porte cochere (a covered drive-through entry) adding handicap-accessible entry to the building. Exterior work includes the purchase of homes on Flower City Park, Primrose Street and Ridgeway Avenue for the 114-vehicle parking lot. The city's Environmental Commission has recommended an environmental impact statement be conducted because of the number of homes that would be torn down. The diocese has assisted in relocation of those who's homes have been torn down. (4/6)
Rochester-- Although the state Department of Motor Vehicles' office at Sibley Centre handled 92,000 transactions a year, state officials decided to close the office at the end of March. The state's decision made Rochester the only major city in the state not to have an office to handle driver's license and registration applications. State lawmakers approved $1.5 million to reopen a state office for motor vehicle transactions downtown. The funds were added to a transportation appropriations bill by Assemblyman David F. Gantt. The legislation provides funds to reopen a fully staffed state motor vehicles office. Gantt did not know when or where the motor vehicles office might reopen. (4/29)
Rochester-- Work is under way to make Rochester into a Great Lakes city. A 774-passenger, 238-car ferry to Toronto, a multimillion-dollar terminal with shops and restaurants, and what is likely to be the first border crossing in the country under newly created federal Department of Homeland Security are part of a plan projected to cost $78 million for the 38-acre development under way at the Port of Rochester. The money, funded by the state and federal governments is expected to leverage some $250 to $300 million in private investment along Lake Ontario and the Genesee River. Roughly $100 million in investment is expected in the next 12 to 18 months. In New York, Rochester is the first in a growing list of upstate cities embarking on ferry and port projects. With millions of dollars in public funding and the potential for hundreds of millions in private investments, the Port of Rochester could become a major international port of entry again. (4/25)
Rochester-- The Center City Master Plan - ideas and projects added to blueprints sketching what downtown could be - a plan that Mayor William A. Johnson wants the private sector as well as the public sector to rely on to enhance downtown. Some of the ideas in the master plan include expanding Strong Museum, a white-water course on the Genesee River, new housing along Scio Street, a performing arts center, transit center along Main Street, new parking garages and a tree-lined walking trail. The ambitious 83-page master plan, approved by City Council, is considered a vital tool that will help guide development and creat an expciting 24-hour environment in the city's urban core over the next 10 years. Mayor Johnson admits the money for such plans will not be easy to come by and a City Council meeting is being devoted entirely to the center city plan. (5/26)
Rush-- Town officials settled into their temporary offices to make way for a $2 million renovation on the 70-year-old Town Hall - business is being conducted from two trailers next to the Town Hall. The project is slated to start May 1 and is estimated to be completed in six months. Included in the renovations are replacing the electrical, heating and plumbing systems, reconfiguring offices and installing an elevator. The town library will also be renovated and the parking lot resurfaced and expanded. During this time, meetings will be held at the Rush Fire Station. (4/25)
1st Quarter 2003
Brighton-- Nazareth College's $45 million expansion project has received $1.5 million from the state to be used for the construction of an intercampus public roadway system. More than 100,000 non-students attend events at the college every year and the roadway will link French Road and East Avenue - expecting to ease traffic in and around the college. The roadway will include streetlights, shoulder parking and 450 parking spaces. (12/4)
Brighton-- Town Board members agreed to hire Parrone and Associates of Penfield to survey a 34-acre parcel on Penfield Road in west Brighton. The town plans to spend $490,900 to buy the land and move ahead with park plans. The board asked McCord Landscape Architecture of Penfield to submit final design plans within two months. Preliminary plans show three ball fields, five soccer fields, playgrounds, picnic areas and a lodge. According to reports, work on transforming the parcel into a town park is slated to begin in the spring and should be completed by the fall, but athletic fields won't be usable for another year. (12/19)
Brockport-- The village has received a $700,000 grant from the state canal corporation to rehabilitate the canal wall between Park Avenue and Main Street. In addition, the state Office of parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation has granted $105,000 toward the project. The first phase of the project includes improved docking capabilities and repairing the concrete face on the existing south side of the wall. The second phase consists of a canal side visitors center. The visitors center includes showers, bathrooms and laundry facilities on the first level and an information center on the upper level. The visitors center has yet to be designed, according to Superintendent of Public Works Brad Upson. Plans are for the center to be built sometime before June, just in time for boating season. (2/24)
Canandaigua-- The Town Board forwarded a request to the Planning Board that the properties 5137 and 5135 North Road be rezoned from restricted business to community commercial. Benderson Development, which also built Tops supermarket, is building the two buildings involved in this proposal -- Tim Hortons and Eckerd Drugs. Once rezoning is approved the project will proceed. (1/14)
Fairport-- The Village of Fairport has received a $50,000 grant from the state Legislature for economic development and although they haven't identified any specific uses, they will likely use the money in the central business district to provide upgrades and replacements of aging infrastructures, sidewalks, trees, benches and park improvement, including landscaping. (12/19)
Greece-- Residential building in the county's largest town has seen a slight increase over the last three years. Newly built single-family houses jumped from 181 in 2000 to 210 in 2002, according to numbers released by the town. Additional reports indicate apartment units jumped from 40 in 2000 to 192 in 2002, largely because of more senior citizen housing being built. (1/20)
Greece-- Town officials will finish altering the town's zoning map this spring, which will include larger lot sizes for, predictably, larger houses that would be built in the town's less populated northwest area. Currently, Greece has 9,000 - 10,000 acres of agricultural and vacant land and according to officials, this makes the town appealing to new home builders and will effect the town's zoning. (1/20)
Henrietta-- A $50 million project to repave a 5.5 mile stretch of Jefferson Road is scheduled to begin this summer. The overall project, to be completed in five phases and take anywhere from 5 to 10 years, will widen, restructure and repave the busiest and most congested road in Monroe County. The project goal is to create a smoother, safer road surface and to relieve congestion . Planning for revamping the road started in 1992. (1/15, 1/30)
Henrietta-- The Town Board voted unanimously to approve the existence of West Henrietta Village Preservation District in early February. So far, 11 home owners out of a possible 48 have signed up to have their properties designated. The new district includes properties along W. Henrietta Road from Rush-Henrietta Townline Road to the north. It also includes one house on Erie Station Road. Historic district members also get benefits such as enhanced property values and added protection from state road projects. (2/26)
Perinton-- The state wants citizens to help in planning an $8 million project that officials hope will allow traffic to move more safely and smoothly on Route 31. The plans calls for resurfacing most of Route 31 from Turk Hill Road east to Hogan Road. Farther east to Aldrich Road, the road would be completely rebuilt and widened to create a third lane for left turns. Other elements of the plan include treating Turk Hill Road intersection with high-strength concrete, installing curbs and an underground drainage system, completing a system of sidewalks on the north side of Route 31 and improving hiking, biking crossways. (1/8)
Perinton-- The town board awarded 10 component bids totaling $5,269,825 -- less than the $5.9 million the town had designated for the project -- to developers for the proposed aquatics center, which will contain a lap pool, a leisure pool and whirlpool, and additional space for the cardiovascular fitness area. Funds for the aquatics center come entirely out of reserve funds, and so will have no impact on town taxes. While an official ground-breaking will not take place until spring, preliminary site work on the project is scheduled to begin in March with the construction of an access road to the site at the southern end of Town Hall. (2/20)
Phelps-- The Village Board adopted tax breaks for first-time home buyers and those owners of historic buildings under renovation. The added assessed value of the building would be fully exempt from village property taxes for the first five years. In years 6 - 10, the home would be added to the assessment in 20 percent increments until the property is fully taxed in the 10th year. Currently, the village tax rate is $5.72 per $1,000 of assessed value. (2/27)
Pittsford-- An intersection of Tobey, Calkins and Mendon Center Roads - long identified as troublesome by local officials - will get an overhaul this year. The main gist of the project is to eliminate a 700-foot stretch of Mendon Center Road from where it meets Tobey, due to poor visibility. The total project, paid for by federal and state funds, is expected to cost about $1 million, according to officials. Work should begin in July and completion is anticipated for early 2004. (1/8)
Pittsford-- The Pittsford Fire Department covers 25 square miles in the town and village of Pittsford, serving a population of approximately 21,000. Officials say the fire department is in a real space crunch, not having room for maintenance and storage equipment. There are five truck bays at Station 1 on Monroe Avenue and four bays at Station 2 - all are full. District officials want to build a 5,000 sq. ft. addition off the back of Station 2 to the tune of $965,000. The addition would include two truck bays, a garage and storage space and also an unfinished room above the garage to provide for future growth and training area. If the project is approved, residents in the district would see an increase of 6 or 7 cents per $1,000 of assessed value in the fire tax portion of their property tax bill. Officials want to start construction this spring and finish before winter. (1/29)
Rochester-- Rochester City Council is considering legislation paving the way for business improvement districts - BIDS. BIDS are self-taxing entities that allow merchants and other business owners to collect tax dollars and access loans and grants to help pay for infrastructure and facade improvements, beautification efforts and other enhancements, such as decorative lighting. Some $40,000 in start-up grant monies helped the BID pay for setup expenses such as legal and incorporation fees, computer purchases, festival and promotional materials, according to Michael Gustin, chairman of Webster BID. Among the advantages of a BID is property owners control it; no BID is formed without the majority of businesses approving it. And, once formed, the district's members decide what to spend money on and what improvements to make. (12/6)
Rochester-- The South Wedge neighborhood will soon have direct access to Interstate 490 eastbound. The state Department of Transportation plans to build an entrance ramp connecting Byron Street with I-490. The change is part of the I-490 Western Gateway Reconstruction Project - an $85 million effort that involves rebuilding and replacing bridges, constructing noise barriers and resurfacing the roadway between the Erie Canal in Gates and the Genesee River. The new ramp will help ease traffic during the highway project. (2/11)
4th Quarter 2002
Brighton-- Town residents will vote in December on an $8 million plan to buy up to 376 acres to preserve an open space. Town Board members voted unanimously to put a $5 million bond measure up for a vote as the town's share of the project - the town will pay $2.9 million from a reserve fund and Monroe County has offered a $122,725 grant. Targeted parcels for the open space plan include 82 acres adjacent to Brighton Recreation Area, 82 acres across Westfall Road from the area and 98 cares between West Henrietta Road and the old Lehigh Valley Railroad. If approved by boters, the referendum would result in a tax rate increase of about $.21 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, or $21.25 a year for the owner of a $100,000 home over 20 years. A December 17 vote is scheduled. (10/17)
Canandaigua-- The $17 million, 58-acre family attraction - Roseland Waterpark -- that opened last year has defaulted on its construction bonds and is for sale, as Paradise Waterparks Inc. were unable to make payment on their debt service. The bond company decided to sell the facility according to Mayor Ellen Polimeni. The Mayor is confident the park will be sold and reopened by a different owner and foresees it operational for the summer of 2003. (11/21)
Canandaigua-- The area's 52-acre Victorian estate, Sonneberg Gardens, formerly the home and gardens of Frederick Ferris Thompson and the founder of what is now Citibank, may close January 1 due to financial distress. Adding to their woes, like many cultural attractions during the recession, the gardens have seen its admissions drop by 10%. Last November, the estate was placed on a list of sites the state may want to preserve and acquire; the estate was valued at $3.2 million and includes the 1887 mansion. Since the CEO was charged with embezzling roughly $400,000 and the establishment running short on cash, it has been run by a volunteer committee who has been making efforts to raise funds and reduce expenses as well. Canandaigua National Bank president and CEO George Hamlin said the bank's goals are the same as Sonneberg's - to preserve a regional treasure that is unique in the nation - however, the bank has presented Sonneberg with an issue of demand letter, meaning if the loan remains unpaid, the bank will appoint a referee who will begin the process of selling the site. (9/27)
Canandaigua-- The three-year, $27 million construction project on Route 332 will be completed by the end of September but not without concerns raised by the town. The town is discussing with the state Department of Transportation how the medians will be maintained - mowing of the grass and taking care of trees - the state normally mows medians twice per year but the town doesn't think this is enough. It is a possibility the state will hire the town to mow, according to Art Andrews, engineer in charge of the project. The once rural Route 332 has been transformed into a divided superhighway connecting Canandaigua with the state Thruway. (9/24)
Fairport-- A Zoning Board of Appeals decision to renew sign variances at the Packett's Landing office complex for three years rather than ten is a cautious but necessary decision. The Board understand the village sign law may very well be changing within the next three years and realized setting a variance for ten years would not be advantageous at this point as laws do change over time. Each business in the Packett's Landing complex, located off Main Street, has two signs - the first is a group of small signs indicating the businesses within the complex and the second sign hangs outside each business' door. The variance is needed because only one permanent sign is allowed under village law. (10/10)
Faiport-- The Fairport Fire Department has moved back into is original home on East Church Street, after being displaced to Whitney Road so their station could be revamped with many needed improvements. Feature improvements include meeting and training rooms, a ventilation system lessening firefighter's exposure to diesel exhause, improved record-keeping systems and a bunk room accommodating six firefighters which allows for faster response times. Also improved is the radio communication and alert system that automatically turns on an audible alarm, bunk room lights and unlocks the garage doors. The Whitney Road station is next to be renovated, expected to be completed around the beginning of the year at a cost of approximately $1 million. (10/3)
Farmington-- The $27 million expansion project of Route 332 connecting Canandaigua to the state Thruway, has spurred new town plans for this Ontario County town. Consideration of their long-term plans and visions are being revisited because of the now-divided highway. Among immediate planning issues the town must consider the southeast corner of the intersection of Route 332 and County Road 41, which will be restricted by sites reserved for future access roads and planners will also study revisions in zoning coes that will discourage further development of industrial enterprises just off Thruway exit 44 in favor of commercial and retail services that cater to commuters and tourists. (10/23)
Geneva-- Serving as the hub of research and data about the Finger Lakes Region, Hobart & William Smith Colleges' Finger Lakes Institute is starting with a $1 million state grant, announced in October by Senator Michael Nozzolio. While serving as a data-server and compiler of information, the Institute will start with an environmental focus and branch into economic, social and cultural issues. Total cost of the institution is not known but John Halfman, director of the college's environmental studies program believes with help from the federal government and private foundations they could have a half-dozen on staff within a decade. Efforts will be coordinated with a smattering of schools that do research such as Geneseo, Brockport, Cornell and Syracuse universities. (10/1)
Greece-- The Chamber of Commerce will relocate to a larger more visible office at Greece Town Centre, 2696 W. Ridge Road and vacate their current quarters in the Country Village Plaza, 1100 Long Pond Road. The move means separate work spaces for each staff member, two new conference rooms and a board room. The new office is in the storefront between Pizza Hut and Leichtner Studios, facing Long Pond Road. (9/26)
Pittsford-- The county Water Authority closed on a purchase of the historic, 19th century, 2,700 sq.ft. L-shaped barn at 449 Thornell Road, paying $160,000 for the Pittsford landmark. Officials of the county state they will install a pumping station inside the barn to increase water pressure in that area and at the same time, preserve this part of the town's heritage. A timetable has not been set for the project. (11/20)
Rochester-- State and local officials say they have completed months of negotiations and a ferry service between Rochester and Toronto is now set to launch in May 2004. With financial issues out of the way, the focus will turn to making Rochester and Toronto ready to receive the ferry; Deputy Mayor Jeffrey Carlson said the city would start work on building a port as soon as possible which will be located at an abandoned warehouse along the Genesee River. A $42.5 million catamaran from Australian shipbuilder Austal Ltd. is on order. (11/21)
Rochester-- The City Council has adopted a new Zoning Code and Map which will become effective January 1, 2003, as a culmination of three years of review and revision of the 27 year old zoning ordinance last revised in 1975. The revision process was initiated by the Department of Community Development Zoning Division in response to the adoption of The Renaissance 2010 Plan. The zoning map and codes may be viewed on-line. (10/15)
Rush-- The Town Board delayed ruling on a rezoning request made for 27 acres of land near the intersection of Route 15 and 251 until it receives more information. Rush Associates LLC, landowner, wants to build a strip-mall inclusive of retail shops, a restaurant, and a bank on 10 acres of the property; the remaining 17 acres are designated for a potential 144-unit senior housing development. In August, the town Planning Board recommended that the Town Board reject the rezoning request, citing a lack of clearly defined plans for the property by Rush Associates and failure to provide access to the site from Route 251. A petition signed by 167 residents was delivered opposing the rezoning as well, concerned about the increase of traffic. No action will be taken on this request until the landowner meets their criteria and supplies the information the Board has requested. (9/18)
3rd Quarter 2002
Brighton-- The county has budgeted $4 million for construction on Elmwood Avenue. About 80 percent of the cost will come from a federal grant, 15 percent from the state and 5 percent from community funding. The exact cost is uncertain until the design is complete. The project covers a 1.2 mile portion of Elmwood Ave near the Twelve Corners from Hollywood Rd to Clover Rd. Resurfacing and other major improvements are expected during construction. The county expects to complete the planning process this fall and begin construction next summer. County DOT officials plan to meet with a citizens advisory group this fall to discuss road conditions and plans. (8/21)
Brighton-- If the Town Board approves a $10,000 contract, Brighton will be closer to establishing a geographic information system (GIS). A GIS digitizes all the map information the down has and electronically plots and stores the town data on a map. If approved, the town will hire TrueNorth Co. to design a plan to build the GIS. Design includes computer hardware and software and will give an idea of how much time it would take staff to organize and input the data as well as a timetable to build the system. According to Tom Low, public works commissioner, the design study would be completed by the end of this year and implementation of the system itself would be a multi-year project, costing an estimated $30,000. (8/14)
Bristol-- An eight month moratorium on wind turbine farm development has prompted the town Planning Board to meet twice monthly to determine what regulations need to be in place for such a project. The Buffalo-based developer, Ecogen, is interested in using the 1,200 acre site atop South Hill Road to build 15 to 20 turbine wind farms. Last year, Gov. Pataki issued an executive order requiring state agencies to obtain 10 percent of their electricity from renewable sources, such as wind energy. A formal proposal for development has not yet been submitted as Ecogen is waiting on the Board's findings. The moratorium will be in effect until March 15, 2003. (9/10)
Fairport-- Fairport Village Partnership's design committee presented the Village Board with recommendations for the design of the downtown area. The effort would be to transform regulations governing development into rules more appropriate for the village's new focus, according to partnership director, Kal Wysokowski. Recommendations include first-floor use of buildings for shopping and residential use for the upper floors, and black post municipal traffic signs for starters. Village officials do not have a time line at present and believe the impact of the design will be huge over time. (7/4)
Fairport-- Village officials are interested in seeking two state grants that are available in two categories the village is competitive in. Empire Opportunity fund targets development of industrial facilities like business parks and incubators, tourism and downtown projects. $100 million in funds are available, however a minimum project of $500,000 must be met for funding. The other grant, The Main Street New York Downtown Development Initiative Program funds projects to improve their central business districts. The maximum state grant for a project of this sort is $25,000 and has to be no more than 50 percent of the total project cost. The village's director of economic development, Kal Wysokowski believes matching funds can be found and confirmed the village is considering applying for several projects. Applications are expected to be reviewed by the end of September. (8/02)
Henrietta-- County Legislature and the Town Board approved a plan to expand the Empire Zone status into Monroe County-Henrietta may get nine subzones due to its heavy concentration of commerce and industry. Specific businesses considered for the new Empire Zone "subzone" status include Konar's Erie Station Business Park, RIT's Incubator Park, John Street's University Park, and Celltech Pharmaceuticals. This status gives eligible companies sizable discounts on property taxes in exchange for the company creating a corresponding number of jobs. (7/31)
Henrietta-- The Town Board voted to officially transfer control of their water system to the Monroe County Water Authority. A major motivating force for this decision was a pledge by the Water Authority to invest $5 million in capital improvements to the town's water system over the next five years. (7/31)
Henrietta-- The Town Board voted unanimously in June to sell 15.7 acres at the end of Karenlee Drive to JSR Ultrasonics, a local research and engineering firm for $190,000. Before the sale can be finalized, the Board will hold a public hearing to have the zoning changed to commercial and light industrial uses. Neighborhood group, Karenlee and Neighbors United aren't so much against the business moving in but more the idea of the zone change at the end of their street. Jim Nofziger, an association member, states residential neighborhoods in other areas have been negatively affected by a business moving in. Examples would be Bailey Road, E. Henrietta Rd. and John Street. According to Jim Breese, town supervisor, the Board is determined to see this project through. (7/10)
Henrietta-- The long-awaited Rush-Henrietta Transportation Center is underway.. Voters passed the multi-million dollar project last October for a facility that will provide parking for 120 district vehicles and offices for some district departments. The state will provide $5.1 million or 53 percent of the project's $9.4 million price tag. The remaining $4.4 million will be picked up by residential taxpayers. Construction of the building itself is scheduled for early September and will continue through to next August. Final approval for construction is expected Aug. 1. (7/10)
Pittsford-- In an effort to increase efficiency, the Town Board approved the plan to reorganize its parks services, eliminating two positions in the process. The town's parks maintenance services will relocate into the Department of Public Works, including highway, sewer and equipment maintenance. The plan also eliminated the jobs of assistant director of parks and recreation-these paid $56,000 and $54,000 per year respectively. Bill Carpenter, supervisor, reports there will be no reduction in services as a result of this consolidation. (8/14)
Rochester-- In an expansion of its lending operations in Western New York State, the Community Preservation Corp (CPC) has completed the opening of its new Rochester Office located at 183 East Main Street. CPC is a not-for-profit mortgage lender specializing in the financing of multifamily housing. (7/15)
2nd Quarter 2002
Brighton-- The Town Board voted to lay the groundwork for a $5 million open space acquisition referendum in the fall. If approved, the referendum would result in a tax rate increase of 23 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. The board also set a public hearing for June on the open space plan, which includes an additional $3 million in reserve funds and grants to acquire and develop up to 296 acres of undeveloped land for recreational uses. Parcels the town has targeted for preservation include 82 acres adjacent to Brighton Recreation Area, 82 acres across Westfall Road from Brighton Recreation Area and 98 acres between West Henrietta Road and the abandoned Lehigh Valley Railroad. (5/30)
Erie Canal-- Gov. George Pataki announced the beginning of a $50 million program to restore New York's canal system. Work will get under way next month on a five-year initiative to complete the 348-mile Erie Canalway Trail which runs from Lake Erie to the Hudson River, and fund harbor and port projects along the canal system. The program will be financed with $25 million from the federal Department of Transportation Enhancement Program and $25 million in state Canal Corporation capital funds. This summer, $2 million will be spent to link Adams Basin in Monroe County to the village of Albion, Orleans County, with a 17-mile, multi-use trail, consisting of asphalt and stone dust. (5/15)
Fairport-- The Fairport Village Partnership has been awarded a $20,000 state grant for use in the future promotion of the village. The partnership, a collaborative effort of merchants and village government has not yet decided exactly how the money will be used. (6/27)
New York State-- New state building and energy codes are scheduled to take effect on July 3. Under a phase-in period, both new and old codes for residential and general building will overlap six months, meaning builders and homeowners can get a project approved until December 31 under either code. The new energy code takes effect on July 3 on all construction. (6/20)
Rochester-- The first phase of the reconstruction of West Ridge Road, a three-year project expected to cost $21 million has begun. The first phase of the construction includes work from Route 390 to east of Dewey Avenue and is about two miles long. Work will involve a total reconstruction of the road with new curbs and sidewalks and a slight widening to provide shoulders. The most controversial element of the project involves building a new raised median down the middle of the road so vehicles will not be making a left-hand turn onto or off of West Ridge Road. Instead, a green arrow will be installed at almost every signalized intersection for vehicles to make a U-turn. Contractors will also be tearing down the Mt. Read Boulevard bridge. Half of the bridge will be torn down this year and half in 2003. Contractors have built a temporary pedestrian bridge across Mt. Read Boulevard for walkers to use. (4/25)
1st Quarter 2002
Brighton-- County Executive Jack Doyle announced that Brighton would receive $122,725 to purchase land adjacent to Corbett's Glen Nature Park as part of the county's Green Space Initiative program. Town officials will decide how to raise the additional $490,900 needed for the town to the buy 34 acres from local developer Max Farash. (2/27)
Chili-- The state Department of Transportation is seeking to buy 8-to-10 foot wide strips of land in front of 41 properties along Union Street and Buffalo Road. Final plans for the $3.4 million project are expected to be completed by year's end. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2003 and be completed in summer 2004. Plans include creation of four left turn lanes and sidewalk additions to the Buffalo Road/Union Street intersection, reconfiguration of and addition of a right-turn land at the Attridge Road/Buffalo Road intersection, extension of sidewalks along the north side of Buffalo Road to Roberts Wesleyan College and construction of a retaining wall on the northeast corner of Buffalo Road/Union Street intersection to separate traffic from the historic Old Tavern/Stage Stop building, which sits a few feet from the roadside. The plan aims to reduce traffic accidents at Buffalo Road and Union Street, improve traffic flow, and improve surface drainage in the area. (2/17)
Fairport-- The village will spend $9 million in capital improvements in 2002. The projects include proposed renovations to the Fairport Fire Department's headquarters, to Liftbridge Lane, and the Fairport Municipal Commission as well as numerous smaller projects. (2/14)
Greece-- The town is proposing changes to its zoning code to allow few living units, a term used to define individual living quarters, per acre for operations such as assisted-living facilities and more units for senior apartments and condominiums. The zoning changes would decrease living units from 12 to 10 per acre in a single-family residential area and increase units from 15 to 20 per acre in a multi-family residential zone. In 2000, the town approved a special zoning district for senior housing that would allow for different services, such as apartments and assisted-living homes being built on one piece of property. (1/6)
Rochester-- The City of Rochester plans to revamp West Ridge Road from the Veterans Memorial Bridge to Hanford Landing Road at a cost of about $16.8 million. The plan includes purchasing houses, businesses, adding and eliminating roads, and building a new pedestrian bridge. The two-year project, which could begin as early as next year, is supported by both neighbors and business leaders. The plan needs state and federal approval before it can begin. (2/11)
4th Quarter 2001
Brighton-- The Planning Board approved a plan to build a 320-foot broadcast tower on Pinnacle Hill. The proposal submitted by American Tower Corp. was approved despite residential concerns. Conditions of the approval require American Tower to seek planning board approval if any additional antennae are added and to notify neighbors how to deal with any interference. The company has also agreed to provide $11,000 to the town for a study on interference. (12/12)
Perinton-- The town has purchased just over half an acre of property from Metrose Custom Homes for $25,000. They acquired the property to guarantee no future development of the parcel. The property on Aldritch Road has several unusual characteristics. It possesses a jutting shape, adjoins the Whitebrook Nature Area town park and is on top of a sewage pump station. Developer William Metrose had the property appraised at $36,000. (12/27)
Perinton-- The 70-year old Route 31 canal bridge has been demolished. A temporary, two-lane bridge was erected in November to accommodate traffic until the new bridge is completed. The new Route 31 canal bridge will have four traffic lanes, a shoulder and two sidewalks. It will be twice as wide as the old bridge. Construction is expected to be completed in the fall of 2002. (12/20) go to top
3rd Quarter 2001
Canandaigua-- The City Council approved a $5,000 required deposit of all developers if the city needs some outside help reviewing proposals. Developers will be required to pay the costs of consultants or engineers hired by the city to look over a development proposal. The city will put the money in an interest-bearing account and the developer will be responsible for replenishing the money should the city use it. The measure was prompted by a zoning ordinance amendment adopted earlier this year that granted the Planning Commission architectural review in all commercial districts. (7/20)
Fairport-- The Fairport Village Partnership has awarded the Fairport Village Inn a $7,500 grant through its façade-improvement program. The program, which began this year, offers businesses or property owners in commercial or industrial-zoned areas a grant for part of the costs to improve facades. To date, eight grants have been awarded. The maximum grant amount is $7,500. A $40,000 Empire State Development Corp. grant and a $40,000 county Community Development Block Grant pay for the façade program. Money is limited and project approvals are competitive. (7/26)
Greece-- Genesee Group Inc. purchased Ben Mer Manufacturing Inc. from co-founder and president Steven Benedict and plans to keep most of the company's 80 to 100 workers. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Genesee Group began negotiations for the purchase after Ben Mer filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy, listing $10 million to $50 million in assets and debt between $10 million and $50 million. Ben Mer has approximately 100 customers worldwide, including Xerox Corp. (9/6)
Henrietta-- Businesses looking to build will have to explain to the town why they cannot use existing commercial or industrial buildings. The Town Board passed a resolution intended to force incoming businesses to examine the possibility of using vacant property before deciding to erect new buildings. Under the resolution, the town will waive all filing fees for applicants who want to move into a vacant space bigger than 3,000 square feet. All applications for the construction of new buildings more than 3,000 square feet must include a written report detailing the efforts of the applicant in considering suitable vacant space. The policy will expire July 1, 2002. (7/25)
Penfield-- Penfield and Perinton are sharing a $50,000 state Recreation Trail grant which will connect and improve Irondequoit Creek trail between Linear Park in Penfield and Spring Lake Park in Perinton. The towns filled a joint grant application. (8/30)
Pittsford-- Rick Leasure Realtors Inc., one of Rochester's largest residential real estate firms, is merging with the Erie County-based Stovroff Realty/RealtyUSA. The Pittsford-based firm, with 45 agents and employees, will be known as RealtyUSA Rick Leasure Division. It becomes part of Stovroff Realty/RealtyUSA, the largest independent real estate company in New York. (9/20)
Rochester-- Most of the reconstruction work is now complete on the Ford Street Bridge, an $11million project started in May 2001 to widen and fortify the bridge, which carries Ford Street across the river to Wilson Boulevard near Mt. Hope Avenue. The federal government paid $8.8 million for the Ford Street Bridge reconstruction, with $1.65 million coming from the state and $555,000 from Rochester. (9/28)
Webster-- A proposal before the Town Board seeks to conserve green space by increasing minimum lot and home sizes. In the proposal, new homes would need to have at least 1,200 square feet of floor space, a 20% increase over the existing requirement. More importantly, minimum lot sizes would also increase from 18,000 square feet to 22,000 square feet. The proposal has generated some concern among builders and those who promote affordable housing. (7/31) go to top
2nd Quarter 2001
Greece-- The town has received $500,000 in federal funding to support programs aimed at helping lower-to-middle-income residents. The funding is being provided by the Housing and Urban Development block grant program. The program was established in 1975 to help municipalities pay for projects that aid needy residents. Under the program, 70% of the total grant funding must be used by a municipality to provide aid to programs that assist the needy. $175,000 has been designated on the Greece Residential Improvement Program, which gives grants of up to $4,000 to low-income homeowners for rehabilitation of single-family, owner occupied homes. (5/31)
Greece-- The town recently authorized $74,000 for an engineering study of English Road. The study is in anticipation of a major reconstruction project along a stretch of the road, from Mt. Read Boulevard to Dewey Avenue. The Rochester-based engineering firm Clough Harbour and Associates will conduct the study, which will be completed this summer. The study will determine the needs of the thoroughfare and recommend how to fix the problems. The town has allocated $350,000 to complete the reconstruction project. (4/26)
Henrietta-- The town plans to sell the 123-acre Riverton Golf Course for $509,238 but needs state approval for the transaction because the state helped fund improvements at the park almost 30 years ago. The Joseph DiMino family would like to buy the property and expand the nine-hole golf course over the area currently occupied by Riverbend Park. The DiMino family has leased the golf course from the town since 1979. The state Senate has approved the transaction. Approval is still needed from the state Assembly before the sale can be completed. (6/27)
Rochester-- Monroe County wants to buy a 9.5 acre plot on the south edge of Greater Rochester International Airport for use in future expansions. Evergreen Acres Mobile Home Park is currently located on the land. The county administration is expected to submit a proposal this month to the Monroe County Legislature to buy the 9.5 acres for $3.5 million and to set aside an additional $1 million to cover relocation costs. Final approval by the legislature could come in August, after a public hearing. The $4.5 million, would come form the annual grants that the airport receives from the federal government. (6/21)
Sweden-- The Town Board has adopted a $1 million bond recreation master plan to help develop the town's first park. The park master plan outlines the development of the park in six phases. The first two phases include two soccer fields, two multipurpose fields, a skate park, a BMX track, three softball fields, two Little League baseball fields, and ice and inline skating rink, two ponds, two restrooms and two open-air picnic pavilions. Complete development of the 156-acre site, which will include an amphitheater, is expected to take 10 to 15 years. (4/17)
Victor-- Work has begun on a major reconstruction of Interstate 490 in Perinton and Victor. The Depart of Transportation awarded the $18.5 million contract for the reconstruction to Cold Spring Construction Co. Construction will occur west of the Thruway toll plaza 45 in Victor. There will be two lanes open in each direction. Ramp closures will be necessary; detours will direct traffic to Pittsford-Victor Road (Route 96) for alternate interchange. The project will rebuild the concrete pavement from Garnsey Road bridge to the toll plaza, including work on the bridge crossing Pittsford-Victor Road and another near the route's connecting ramp. Additionally, the closed rest areas will be converted into truck inspection sites. The project is expected to take two years to complete. (4/26) go to top
1st Quarter 2001
Henrietta-- Town officials are considering a one-year moratorium on any commercial or industrial projects north of the New York State Thruway that require a zoning change. The proposal specifically protects residential property. Projects slated for land already zoned for commercial or industrial use would not be affected. (2/21) The Town Board has expanded the resolution for lands currently zoned residential to the entire town. The moratorium will provide the town a chance to study its infrastructure, including roadways, utility lines and other features to see if they can handle more development. If improvements or upgrades are recommended, then those costs are expected to be handed off to developers. (3/14)
Irondequoit-- The town has applied for a $258,000 grant to purchase the Shaw property, four parcels of densely wooded, sloping land just west of the Culver Road and Titus Avenue intersection between Titus and Durand-Eastman Park. It would be the first time the town purchased property to keep as green space. (1/24)
Livonia-- The town and village received a $20,000 federal grant to study construction of a 3.2-mile road from Route 15 to Route 20A in the village. The project is estimated at $8 million. The road, called Gateway Park Road, would spark economic development and alleviate congestion on Route 20A. (2/13)
Rochester-- According to CB Richard Ellis' first Rochester Market Index, flex space is the fastest growing type of commercial space in Rochester. Flex space refers to high-ceilinged, open structures that are designed to let a business finish the space for office, manufacturing or distribution use, depending on its needs. Available flex space grew by 340,000 square feet, to a total of more than 2.5 million square feet. The flex space total is a fraction of the overall square footage in the region devoted to commercial uses. Industrial space alone accounts for more than 100 million square feet in the Rochester area. (3/7)
Rochester-- The Rochester Rotary Club has signed an option with a developer for 0.68 acres it owns south of West Main Street between Washington and Plymouth. According to Rotary Executive Director, Bob Enright, the developer is conducting a feasibility study on the land to determine what might be built there. (12/17) go to top
4th Quarter 2000
Penfield-- State and town officials approved a plan to spend $1.3 million altering traffic flow near the Route 441-Panorama Trail interchange. Improvements would include an additional turn lane on the off ramp that connects eastbound Route 441 to Panorama Trail and turn lanes on Panorama Trail. Construction is expected in 2002. (10/24)
Perinton-- The town has paid $950,000 to buy a 57-acre parcel of land on the east side of Turk Hill Road between Route 31 and Garnsey Road from William and Peggy DeWitt. The land may eventually be used as a limited park area, but will remain open space for now. Funds for the purchase came from the town's Reserve Fund for Open Space Acquisition. (9/29)
Rochester-- Remax First and Remax Portfolio of Properties have combined their local real estate franchises. The new entity, called Remax First, will likely be Rochester's second-largest agency by sales volume and will complete more than $250 million in transactions this year. The merger will give Remax First more than 65 agents in offices in Greece, Webster and Brighton. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. (10/11)
Victor-- The Town Board accepted a donation of a 57-acre parcel on Route 251. It also authorized the purchase of 46 acres of land adjacent to Fisher Park for $167,000. The town currently owns 210 acres of parkland. The money for the parcel will come from the town's Park Fund Account. (12/15)
Webster-- The county plans to spend $75,000 for a 10.4 acre plot of land on Devil's Cove along Irondequoit Bay. The undeveloped land will become Devil's Cove Park, the 20th park in the Monroe County system. The purchase, which must be approved by the County Legislature, is expected to be finalized by the end of the year. (11/15) go to top
3rd Quarter 2000
Farmington-- Members of the Planning Board, Town Board and Zoning Board of Appeals have spelled out provisions that, if approved, will set a precedence for the town's continued commercial growth. A revised 16-to-18 page document will be sent to the Ontario County Planning Board for recommendations. Approximately 70% of the town's 36-square mile area is farmland. Rapid growth along the Route 332 corridor is causing friction as the town is developed. (7/25)
Greece-- Monroe County will purchase 88 acres adjacent to Canal Park for $600,000. The addition will extend the park's property line along the Erie Canal to Manitou Road. The park will grow to 665 acres from 577, and its canal frontage will more than double. Funding for the purchase will come from the county's capital-improvement fund. The sale is expected to close in August. The proposed acquisition is the county's largest park expansion in more than 30 years. (7/20,7/27)
Rochester-- Plans are underway for the redevelopment of Lower Falls Park. Maplewood Park development will extend to the south side of Driving Park Bridge and open up three new trails and overlooks. The site includes about 11 acres. There will be access to views of the Lower and Middle Falls where there is currently undeveloped land. This is also a historical area. The city received a New York State Multi-Modal Transportation grant worth $210,000. The project should be completed by fall. (7/20)
Webster-- Last year, the town saw 255 housing starts, more than any town in Monroe County. This year, the town issued 85 building permits for single-family homes through April 15, 2000. According to the Builders Association, it has averaged nearly 200 new homes per year since 1988. (6/11) go to top
2nd Quarter 2000
Greece-- The state Department of Environmental Conservation has been negotiating to purchase 65 acres that would be added to the Braddock Bay State Wildlife Management Area. Burger Park, abuts Salmon Creek, which feeds into Braddock Bay. The property is a stopping ground and home for endangered birds and a nursery for freshwater fish. It also includes both federal and state protected wetlands as well as a boat launch for small crafts and 35 boat slips. Two appraisals have been completed on the property. The estimated cost of the acreage is $800,000. Trust for Public Land, a non-profit agency based in San Francisco that helps turn private land for public use, will act as intermediary between the land owners and the DEC. (4/1)
Victor-- The Town Board unanimously adopted into law a density plan that is meant to cluster housing development, and requirements that mandate 50% of new residential subdivisions and 35% of nonresidential subdivisions remain undeveloped. The density law separates the town into three districts, clustering more crowded subdivisions closer to the village. All new subdivisions proposed will be subject to the new requirements. (3/14) go to top
1st Quarter 2000
Gates-- The results of the town's first town-wide property assessment indicate that 50% of all residential, commercial and industrial property owners will pay higher taxes next year. The 50% increase surpasses the 33% increase normally associated with town reassessments. The increased assessment is connected to the reduced assessment of Eastman Kodak Co.'s Elmgrove plant, which is closing. (2/9,2/24)
Henrietta-- According to figures compiled by the town's development coordinator, the estimated cost for new construction in 1999 was ~ $72 million, a 24% increase over 1998, which totaled ~ $58 million. In 1999, 181 permits were issued for commercial and industrial renovations or additions, representing more than $17 million in construction. In addition, 157 new houses and 27 commercial or industrial structures were built. In 1998, 111 houses and 29 new structures were constructed. Some retail buildings are still vacant despite the new construction. The former Hechinger site on West Henrietta Road and the old Lechmere building on Jefferson Road remain empty. (3/3)
Perinton-- The Town Board approved a new sewer district, which will serve an industrial office park tentatively named Keenan Industrial Park. The development is located on approximately 110 acres north of Pittsford-Palmyra Road, at the border of Monroe and Wayne counties. The district would serve properties zoned for industrial and restricted business uses. The town has awarded a contract to Beardley Pipeline of Livonia for the project, estimated to cost $455,000. A $470,000 state grant will be used to pay for most of the work. (12/30)
Victor-- The Town Board has endorse a transportation plan in an attempt to deal with the town's growing traffic problems. The plan was unanimously incorporated into the town's comprehensive master plan on February 14th. The plan recommends improvements according to growth, such as adding two I-490 access ramps at EastView Mall and identifying possible access road to Route 96 and other thoroughfares. The board wants to require developers of new residential subdivisions to preserve at least 50% open space, to protect green space and rural character. Non-residential subdivisions, such as commercial subdivisions, would require a minimum of 35% open space. (3/9) go to top
4th Quarter 1999
Farmington-- The state Department of Transportation has begun a $26.4 million expansion of Route 332 from a two-lane country road into a divided, four-lane highway. The project involves the relocation of gas and oil lines, and electric, telephone and cable utilities. All utilities that use the road's right-of-way, which is owned by the state, must be moved at the expense of the utility company. The relocation of phone lines alone will cost Frontier Telephone of Rochester more than $3 million. The reconstruction project along the 7-mile stretch of land is expected to take two years to complete. (7/21)
Henrietta-- The amount of commercial space currently vacant in the Henrietta is down approximately 100,000 square feet from two years ago, when the figure peaked at 569,000. About 10% of land - or approximately 12 million square feet - is developed for commercial or retail purposes. (9/15)
Henrietta-- The Monroe County Fair and Recreation Association has agreed to sell 28 of the 78-acre fairgrounds site in an attempt to increase revenue and remain at the corner of East Henrietta and Calkins Road. The group hopes to net $1.4 million for the land. Money has been a major concern for the Association, a nonprofit organization. Selling a portion of the fairgrounds is only part of the bigger plan. The Association is trying to raise money through government grants and private donations to rebuild the fairgrounds. (11/17)
Phelps-- An $80,000 study to find out whether adding a Thruway interchange in the northwest corner of the town off Route 88 should be completed by June 2000. The Federal Highway Administration is covering $40,000 of the study costs. Ontario County and Wayne County are also paying $15,000 each, and the town of Phelps and villages of Phelps, Arcadia, and Newark are collectively pitching in $10,000 for the study. If the study shows an additional interchange can be supported, a more detailed study, including design, possible funding sources, and environmental issues, must be conducted before a final decision is made. (10/11)
Rochester-- The New York state Department of Transportation has decided to build a steel arch bridge to carry Interstate 490 over the Genesee River, part of an I-490 reconstruction project form the Erie Canal on the city's west side to the Genesee River. The project, which will begin in the summer of 2001, is projected to be complete by 2005. The total length of the $85 million Western Gateway Project is 3.5 miles and includes the replacement of the present bridge over the river. (12/6)
Rush-- The Town Board has approved the purchase of 10 acres of land owned by Frontier Corp. for $39,900. The land, on East River Road just north of Route 251, includes two baseball fields. The acquisition will not affect town taxes. The town will pay for the fields with money from a recreation fund, which has accumulated approximately $53,000 in new-home construction fees over the years. The town had leased the fields from Frontier for $1 a year with an option to buy the property when the contract expires in December. (9/29)
Victor-- The Town Board approved development guidelines designed to protect the Valentown Museum and the historically significant buildings in the High Street Extension. The 19th century museum and the Fisher homestead are on the state register of historical places. Two other buildings sit on the 14-acre site. The plan provides developers with specific guidelines for any project proposed in that area. (9/15) go to top
3rd Quarter 1999
Farmington-- The state Department of Transportation has begun a $26.4 million expansion of Route 332 from a two-lane country road into a divided, four-lane highway. The project involves the relocation of gas and oil lines, and electric, telephone and cable utilities. All utilities that use the road's right-of-way, which is owned by the state, must be moved at the expense of the utility company. The relocation of phone lines alone will cost Frontier Telephone of Rochester more than $3 million. The reconstruction project along the 7-mile stretch of land is expected to take two years to complete. (7/21)
Hampton Corners-- Construction will start the spring of 2000 on $2.5 million worth of water and sewer popes running to the American Rock Salt mine in Livingston County. The U.S. Department of Commerce - Economic Development Administration pledged $1.5 million in federal assistance. American Rock Salt will put another $500,000, as will Livingston County. The new water and sewer pipes will tie into the village of Mount Morris' system. The sewer and water lines will be one of the last remaining pieces of infrastructure to be done for the mine. (9/13)
Henrietta-- The state will fund a $1 million road project near Konar Industrial Park by connecting West Henrietta Road with Erie Station Road. The new road will join Konar with the nearby Thruway Park Industrial Center, creating a total park of 168 acres. The park is the site of a new 45,000 square-foot facility for ADT Security Systems. ADT plans to create more than 600 jobs over the next three years. The state expects road construction to begin later this summer. (7/30)
Ontario County-- The towns of Farmington and West Bloomfield and the village of Victor will receive $155,000 in state funds to pay for two parks and economic development. Twenty acres off Mertensia Road in the town of Farmington will be converted into a town park using $100,000 of the state funds. West Bloomfield town leaders will use the funds to apply for additional grants for a memorial park project located on 10 acres in the center of town. $15,000 will go to the village of Victor to help with economic development in downtown. (8/5)
Webster-- Town Board members voted to purchase the bank branch located at 973 Ridge Road. It is now owned by M&T Bank, but the bank plans to close the branch on Sept. 17. The town plans to demolish the bank and move a portion of Shoecraft Road a couple hundred feet east to directly meet Hard Road. According to town records, the parcel is assessed at $282,000. (9/3)
2nd Quarter 1999
Canandaigua-- A census of the city's business district shows there are 90 properties in the business improvement district with an average assessment of $230,000. The median value is $153,000. The average asking price for downtown property is $214,000. Parking continues to be a concern for all downtown retailers with only 600 spots available and approximately 440 employees parking downtown. (3/29)
Henrietta-- The town is planning the development of a new park by early summer. The proposal includes the purchase of 80 acres of land near the corner of Middle and Martin roads. The acquisition would cost the town $250,000, money that is available in fund balances. The town plans to relocate soccer fields that the Rush-Henrietta Soccer Club could make use of, elevating the stress off of the town and school district. (3/24)
Macedon-- Macedon will be the first town in Wayne County to take digital photos of every property in the town and keep them with assessment records. To properly analyze sales, three to five comparable properties are used. With this new software, better comparisons can be made. The town will spend $3,000 for a contractor to take the photographs. (4/14)
Pittsford-- The town closed a $2.4 million deal to buy the development rights on a 341-acre parcel, known as the Hopkins farm. The purchase means that the town has acquired all but 26 acres slated to be preserved under its unique 1996 comprehensive plan. Only the 26-acre Snyder farm remains to be bought to fulfill the town's goal of preserving 1,100 acres of farmland. The town is paying landowners about 60% of the development value of the property, or an average of about $9,000 per acre. Appraisers judged the land to be worth between $4,000 and $20,000 per acre. Buying the development rights will cost taxpayers $1,300 over 20 years or about $46 a year on a home assessed at $175,000. The town used $7.5 million in bonds and $1.95 million in state and federal grants to pay for all the purchases. (5/14)
Rochester-- The city is launching an extensive, two-year effort to review and update its aging zoning ordinance. The City Council passed a new comprehensive plan (Rochester 2010: The Renaissance Plan) and the revised zoning ordinance would be used to implement parts of the plan. City officials hope to approve a new zoning ordinance in January 2001. The review will cost the city approximately $190,000. The 2010 plan calls for a redefinition of downtown Rochester by expanding the perceived boundaries of the city outside the Inner Loop and encouraging development along the Genesee River and Erie Canal. (5/7)
Victor-- The state plans to begin reconstructing Route 96 this summer from High Street in the village to the Thruway overpass. It would add a center turning lane to the road, and two left turning lanes from Main Street Fishers. Traffic planners suggested the best way to elevate traffic problems near Route 96 and Main Street Fishers was for firms and businesses to work together to stagger the impact during rush hour. (3/31)
1st Quarter 1999
Canandaigua-- The Ontario County Arts Council and BID, the downtown business improvement district, are hoping to turn the former Hollywood Harry's at the corner of Main and Niagara Street into an arts and cultural center. The estimated renovation cost for the empty storefront is between $100,000 to $200,000. BID is currently leasing the building for an undisclosed amount of money. The building measures ~ 20,000 square feet on each floor. (1/31)
Livingston County-- According to the Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council, Livingston, the county in which agriculture has always been the prime industry, is expected to be one of the fastest-growing in the Rochester region over the next 20 years. Between 1990 and 2020, the population will grow at a rate of ~ 10.3%, roughly the same as Ontario and Wayne counties. The biggest and fastest-growing population center in the county is the town of Livonia. The town adopted tougher zoning rules in an attempt to limit most new construction to specific areas. The town of Geneseo is seeking county economic development infrastructure funds to prime more than 200 acres of land on the east side for business growth by putting in utilities and roads. According to the Greater Rochester Association of Realtors, the median price of homes bought and sold in the county over the past two years is ~ $73,000. (2/21)
Macedon-- A draft of the town's master plan includes maintaining 41%, or 9,371 of the town's 23,901 acres preserved as open space. Most of the land marked for potential preservation is north of Route 31F and in the southern portion of the town. Macedon's population of about 8,900 is a 23% increase from 1980 figures. (3/10)
Pittsford-- Gov. George E. Pataki announced a $750,000 grant to help preserve 1,200 acres of land in the town's land-preservation plan, "Greenprint for the Future". The matching grant goes into the town farmland protection fund. The town received a $200,000 federal grant last week and $1 million in federal and state grants earlier this year. The Pittsford grant, one of only three upstate awards, was the fourth largest. (12/29)
4th Quarter 1998
Chili-- Plans for an Airport Development District in parts of Chili and Gates are nearing the final approach. The Monroe County Department of Planning and Development has been acting as consultant and providing staffing for the project. The land-use regulations in the proposed district range from landscaping to uniform signage. Tax incentives are also proposed to encourage participation. Officials hope the district would enhance the area around the Greater Rochester International Airport and attract commercial and industrial development. (10/28)
Fairport-- The Planning Board granted approval for the Thomas Creek wetlands project. The Thomas Creek wetlands are located east of Liftbridge Lane and west of Turk Hill Road. The IDA is contributing $120,000 toward the project. The village also received $110,000 from the New York State Environmental Protection Bond Act to fund the 13.2-acre project. The plan for the wetlands includes building observation platforms, an elevated boardwalk in excess of 450 feet long, and 1,450 feet of trails. The plan aims to improve the habitat and diversity of both plant and animal life there, develop open water areas, and add passive-recreation areas. (12/2)
Gorham-- The town has been awarded a $1,300 matching grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation's grant program. The funds will be used to prepare plans for structural repairs and improvements to make the building, which houses the Free Library and Historical Society, handicapped-accessible. (9/23)
Henrietta-- The state Department of Transportation has scheduled Jefferson Road to be widened in 2001. The $24 million project will add turning lands along a 5.5-mile stretch as it cuts across the town, and will also widen the Ballantyne Bridge that spans the Genesee River. Phase One of the project will begin in the summer of 2001. Phase Two will begin a year or two later. If the project remains on schedule, construction will be completed in late 2004. (11/11)
Perinton-- The $18.4 million reconstruction project planned for Route 31 from the Route 490 entrance ramp near the Pittsford-Perinton border all the way east to Route 250 is scheduled to begin next year and be completed by 2001. The new five-mile plan would include two driving lanes in each direction, plus a two-way turning lane in the middle. (10/28)
Pittsford-- An incentive-zoning plan that proposes to expand Isaac Gordon Nature Park has come before the town Planning Board. The Schoen-Manno incentive-zoning plan would increase the size of the park by 30 acres, bringing it to 132 acres. It also proposes a 53-acre open space, accessible to the public, in a development of 135 single-family homes on 135 acres. The 30-acre parcel on North Wilmarth Road is valued at $120,000. (10/21)
Pittsford-- The Local Waterfront Revitalization Program proposal calls for improving the link between Schoen Place and Northfield Common, creating more public parking, building a marina and an outdoor ice rink, and constructing more restaurants and bed-and-breakfasts. Funding for the plan will come from the state Canal Corp., Housing and Urban Development's Canal Corridor Initiative and local sources. The plan recommends using land east and west of Clover Street near Lock 32 for "recreational and planned waterfront commercial development." Both the town and village boards have to approve their respective parts of the plan for the changes to take effect. (10/14)
Pittsford-- The Manno family sold development rights for its 185-acre farm, between Willard and Mendon Center roads, to the town for $1,296,267. The deal means homes cannot be built on the property along Willard and Mendon Center roads, although the Manno family retains the right to farm there, or permits others to. The town's purchase is part of the $9.9 million Greenprint plan to purchase the development rights for seven farms and ensure that those 1,200 acres of land remain agricultural. They are paying about 60% of the development value of the property, or an average of about $9,000 per acre. Appraisers judged the land to be worth between $4,000 and $20,000 per acre. The Town Board adopted Greenprint in July of 1996 as part of an overall open space preservation plan. 9/24, 9/30)
Sodus-- State officials announced $2.4 million in grants for environmental and parks projects in Monroe, Wayne, Orleans and Wyoming counties. The funding includes $600,000 for the acquisition of Camp Beechwood, the former Girl Scouts camp that closed two years ago. The 142-acre site, just west of the village of Sodus Point, has about 3,500 feet of shoreline, marshes, and forests. According to the regional director of Finger Lakes State Parks, the land won't be open to the public until some time next year. (10/17)
Victor-- The village has purchased 35 acres of vacant land located behind Brace Road near the sewer treatment plant, for $65,000. The land is expected to be developed into a park. The village has a commitment from the State Historic Preservation Office to pay for the land through a grant. (11/3)
3rd Quarter 1998
Gates-- Town Officials are planning a townwide reassessment in 1999. Eastman Kodak Co. has agreed to underwrite the estimated cost of ~ $450,000. The project will involve 11,000 properties, at a cost of $40 per property. The properties will be assessed at full value and is expected to be completed in time for the 2000 tax rolls. (9/1)
Greece-- The state Department of Transportation plans to widen West Ridge Road to six lanes with a raised median within the next three years. Once the project is complete, the road will be able to handle upward to 60,000 vehicles a day. (7/13)
Hamlin-- The Town Board voted to rezone ~ 10 acres at 832 Moscow Road for commercial use. The majority of Moscow Road is zoned for residential use. It includes houses, the entrance to Hamlin Beach State Park and Ozzie's Corner Golf Course. (8/6)
Penfield-- The town will acquire a parcel of land at the south end of Irondequoit Bay for $235,000 for the development of a public park. The 1.4-acre lot is located off Empire Boulevard, just east of the bridge crossing into the town. The town has applied for state funding to help pay for the project. Town officials are seeking a single developer to come in and redevelop a large part of the area. (6/29)
Rochester-- The Rochester Psychiatric Center is demolishing two historic brick buildings to clear room for a driveway and a parking lot as part of a $91 million redevelopment project. The state is paying $236,000 to tear down the two buildings. (8/5)
2nd Quarter 1998
Brighton-- The town's application for a $192,500 grant the state's Environmental Protection Fund/Clean Water-Clean Air Bond Act to help defray the costs of acquiring 38.5 acres of parkland adjacent to the Jewish Home of Rochester and Meridian Centre Park has been denied. The state has recommended that Brighton reapply later this spring because more funds could soon be available. (4/22)
Chili-- The Genesee Land Trust will preserve a 275-acre property north of Brook Road. The land is a gift from Rochester, Gas & Electric, as part of an "environmental benefits project" made through an agreement between RG&E and the state. The gift doubles the land protected by the Genesee Land Trust, a local non-profit organization dedicated to preserving open lands in the Rochester area. The trust also owns or holds easements on 272 acres of property in Pittsford, Penfield, Caledonia, Greece, Macedon, and Ontario. (4/15)
Greece-- The Greece Board of Education will hire a local energy service company, TCG/Conoco, to oversee repair of the district's aging energy system. TCG/Conoco will prepare plans, specifications and drawings for the repair of ~ $24 million worth of lighting and ventilation equipment. The state will provide aide for 69% of the $800,000 figure. (4/9)
Perinton-- The town plans to spend $211,200 to buy 21 acres at the southwest corner of Howell and East Whitney roads for the development of sports fields. The property comprises two pieces of land: a seven-acre parcel for $61,200 and a house and four acres for $150,000. The land would be added to the town's 1,300 acres of open space. Officials would buy the land with money in the Open Space Acquisition capital reserve fund. (4/22)
Perinton-- The town is seeking $500,000 in grants through the state's Environmental Protection Fund. The money would be used for a new park behind the Perinton Community Center/Town Hall complex and to repair the banks of Irondequoit Creek near the Lyndon Road Bridge. (6/3)
Pittsford-- The village has acquired a $32,000 New York state grant to spruce up the Schoen Place portion of the Erie Canal. The state grant will allow the village to build an information kiosk and add four new light poles between Schoen Place and the State Street bridge. (4/27)
Victor-- The Victor Historical Society has purchased the Valentown Museum and surrounding properties for $476,000. In the deal, the historical society has acquire the Fishers' 12 acres of land, three houses, and the museum, as well as the artifacts stored inside. The society's $476,000 purchase was made with the help of $50,000 in donations, a loan from Victor businessman B. Thomas Golisano, and a $250,000 state grant secured by Assemblyman David Koon, D-Perinton. (4/22)
Wheatland-- The Town Board is rezoning a section of Union Street into a retail and professional district to spur development in the town. The affected area, which was zoned agricultural, is on both the east and west sides of Union Street from North Road to the Wheatland and Chili town line.
1st Quarter 1998
Brighton-- The Monroe County Department of Transportation will work through the summer on the 2nd phase of the $7.3 million project to widen Westfall Road and improve drainage. Crews will work on the area from South Winton Road to Lac de Ville Boulevard. The third phase of the Westfall project, from Lac de Ville to East Henrietta Road, will not begin until 2004. (2/25)
Fairprt-- The village's Urban Renewal/Industrial Development Agency is expected to finalize the purchase of a $50,000 nine-acre stretch of land that runs along the north set of railroad tracks on North Main Street. The purchase is being funded through a Housing and Urban Development grant and with UR/IDA funds. There are no immediate plans for the area except to provide access to the American Park Place building at 111 Parce Avenue. 2/11
Greece-- Statistics show the population of the town of Greece is growing at one of the fastest rates in Monroe County. Greece's population, which currently is slightly above 90,000 will surpass 100,000 by the year 2006. A survey by Bergmann Associates estimates the annual growth of Monroe County, which has a population of more than 710,000 will be 0.06%. By comparison, the population of Greece is projected to increase 0.65% annually. (1/1)
Irondequoit-- Construction on the Stutson Street Bridge is expected to begin in October 1999 and to take 2½ years to complete. The two-lane lift bridge over the Genesee River will be replaced by a 950-foot, four-lane lift span. The clearance, currently 24 feet, would nearly double, to 42 feet. (12/31)
Macedon-- The Town Board refused the donation of a parcel of land off Route 350, citing concerns over power and gas lines running across the former farmland and reclamation costs to prepare it for use as a community park. The 59-acre mortgaged property was offered to the town by Beneficial Homeowner Service Corp. of New York, which is now seeking to give the land away to relieve itself of its tax obligations. (3/15)
Perinton-- The state Department of Environmental Conservation and the state Department of Health are recommending no further action be take at the site previously occupied by Autohaus of Rochester. The car dealership was located at 99 Marsh Road from the early 1970's until the late 1980's. The contamination because oils and degreasers containing harmful chemicals seeped into the ground. (2/25)
Rochester-- The Landmark Society of Western New York has agreed to lease the 106-year old former Madison Hotel from the city for $1. The building, located at 56 Madison Street has been vacant since 1992. For the past five years, the city has attempted to sell the building for $500, knowing the structure needs at least $300,000 in renovations. The Landmark Society will take full responsibility for the building, spending up to $10,000 to secure and stabilize it. (2/5)
Victor-- The Victor Historical Society has purchased the Valentown Museum and surrounding properties for $476,000. In the deal, the historical society will acquire the Fishers' 12 acres of land, three houses, and the museum, as well as the artifacts stored inside. The elder Fishers will be able to live in their home, rent-free, for the rest of their lives. The society's $476,000 offer was made with the help of $50,000 in donations, a loan from Victor businessman B. Thomas Golisano, and a $250,000 state grant secured by Assemblyman David Koon, D-Perinton. (3/18)
