2nd Quarter 2000
The Internet and Real Estate
by Kevin L. Bruckner, MAI
I can still vividly remember my parents waking me up in the middle of the night thirty-one years ago this week to watch a shadowy, black & white image of Neil Armstrong stepping onto the moon marking our greatest accomplishment of the industrial era. What's not so vivid is the first time that I heard about the Internet; but what I do remember is that I was compelled to explore its potential for business and real estate applications. In a sense, the Internet is as powerful as the Saturn V rocket engines that boosted Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins to the moon in July of 1969.
In 1997, our company developed a web site, www.btrcl.com. In addition to information on our company, we added two features which really set our web site apart. First we added our Real Estate News Summary and now have nearly 250 people on our e-mail distribution list. Best of all anyone anywhere can sign-up to be on our e-mail list. Our other major feature is our Sales for Sale database where anyone can search our company's database of commercial real estate sales and purchase detailed sales information. Yes, I said "purchase". Developing and maintaining a web site is very expensive!!! Information is valuable and has value.what widgets were to the industrial era, data is to the information era.
As an appraiser, I am constantly in search of current real estate listing information because it provides a current indication of market supply and demand. Not to mention that current listing information is sought after by prospective buyers and tenants. One of my goals over the years has been to develop a centralized and accessible database of commercial property listings. The Internet once again provided me with that opportunity and three months ago www.CommercialListingSite.com became a reality. Everyone I have spoken to thinks that "CLS" is a great idea! We have over 150 listings and multiple links to other web sites which contain additional listings. There is a vast untapped market of individual brokers, developers, investors and property managers which would benefit greatly from an Internet based source to market space for lease or properties for sale. "CLS" is unique to Rochester, in addition, it is locally hosted and maintained by Network Support, Inc.
We have seen only the beginning of what the Internet will do for the real estate market. In the future, real estate professionals and business people like yourself will have access to all the commercial sales and current listings in the Rochester real estate market. Our goal at BTRCL is to be the company that maintains that information for you via our two web sites. I invite you to visit our sites and take a peak into the future of "The Internet and Real Estate".
ECONOMIC & BUSINESS
Xerox Corporation Expansion-- Xerox will launch a line of low-cost inkjet products, with the hub of those operations in Canandaigua and Farmington. The restructuring involves a $2 billion alliance among Xerox, small-business pioneer Sharp Corp. and Fuji Xerox of Japan. Approximately 60 to 100 new manufacturing jobs will be created. Xerox employs 485 at the CenterPointe Business Park off Route 332 in Canandaigua, and 80 at a leased site on Collett Drive in Farmington. (3/14)
Eastman Kodak Company-- Eastman Kodak Company reported first quarter sales of $3.095 billion, essentially level with the $3.1 billion posted for the first quarter of 1999. Net earnings were $289 million or $.93 per share, up 58% on a per-share basis from $191 million, or $.59 per share a year ago. On an operational basis, net earning for the first quarter of 2000 were $297 million, or $.95 per share, up 19% on a per-share basis from $259 million or $.80 per share in the 1999 first quarter. The operational comparison excludes accelerated depreciation charges and relocation costs associated with the sale and exit of an equipment manufacturing facility this year and charges related to existing non-strategic businesses in 1999. (4/17, 4/18)
Bausch & Lomb Inc. Acquisition-- Bausch & Lomb Inc. announced plans to acquire competing contact-lens maker Wesley Jessen VisionCare, Inc. In addition, the company announced its intention to consolidate its contact-lens business and cut 850 jobs over the next year. About 600 of those layoffs will occur in Rochester, the company's home base since 1853. The company will pay $600 million, or $34 per share, in cash for Wesley Jessen. The company employs approximately 12,000 people worldwide. (3/23)
Paychex Inc.-- Paychex Inc. announced record net income of $190 million or $.51 diluted earnings per share for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2000, a 37% increase over net income of $139.1 million or $.37 diluted earnings per share for the prior fiscal year. Total service revenues were $728.1 million, an increase of 22% over $597.3 million for the previous year. For the fourth quarter ended May 31, 2000, net income increased 36% to $51.6 million or $.14 diluted earnings per share as compared to net income of $37.9 million or $.10 diluted earnings per share for the same period last year. Total service revenues were $197.2 million, an increase of 26% over $156.6 million for the prior year fourth quarter. Paychex currently services 351,900 Payroll clients. (6/26)
Banking Acquisitions-- M&T Bank has acquired approximately 300 branches in the past two years, roughly one-third of which are located in Upstate New York. The bank has increased its market share in the Rochester area from 8% five years ago to 19% last year. M&T has acquired banks and branches from OnBank & Trust Co., FranklinFirst Savings Bank, First Nation Bank of Rochester and Chase. Most recently, they acquired Pennsylvania-based Keystone's 171 branches. Some of the branches were consolidated. M&T has 450 branches concentrated mainly in New York and Pennsylvania, with a handful in Maryland and West Virginia. (5/26) Chase Manhattan Bank, which shut down two Rochester branches last week, has sold or consolidated 35 upstate branches in the past several years. Recently, Chase consolidated the staff and services of its Main Street and Irondequoit Mall branches. According to Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. statistics, Chase's market share of local deposits has dropped 12% to 10%. Last fall, Chase sold 29 branches and its retail business to M&T, mostly in Buffalo, Jamestown and Binghamton markets. (5/26)
Banking Growth-- Lyndon Guaranty Bank of New York has a single office on Mt. Read Boulevard in Greece. Philip Saunders, a 50% partner in the bank, announced that in three weeks it would open new branches on Monroe Avenue in Pittsford and the Reynolds Arcade downtown. With the branch openings, Lyndon will change its name to Genesee Regional Bank. Some 10 additional branches in Rochester suburbs and surrounding rural areas are planned within three years. (4/7)
Supermarket Acquisition-- Tops Markets Inc., a division of Ahold USA, has signed an agreement to acquire Sugar Creek convenience stores from Rochester entrepreneur Philip Saunders. Tops plans to merge the 87-store chain, a $142 million operator of fuel and merchandise convenience stores, with Tops' Wilson Farms Neighborhood Stores. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The transaction is scheduled to close in May. (3/31)
Restaurant Closing-- Friendly Ice Cream Corp. reported it will close 80 poorly performing restaurants immediately and shed 70 others in the next two years. Three Rochester-area Friendly's restaurants that will close are at 1806 Penfield Road, 839 E. Ridge Road, and 2133 East Henrietta Road. The reason cited for the store closings were the significantly lagging sales and profitability compared with the chain's average. In January, the Friendly Corp. sold 29 restaurants in the Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo area to Kessler Family LLC of Henrietta. (3/28)
Mall Expansion-- Pyramid Cos., owners of the Carousel Center in Syracuse, unveiled plans for a two-phase, 3.3 million-square-foot addition to the mall. The $900 million plan would bring Carousel to 4.5 million square feet. While the Rochester area has a bigger population base and is slightly more affluent, its biggest mall is only 1.6 million square feet, The Mall at Greece Ridge Center, closely followed by EastView Mall at 1.3 million square feet. The mall plan, which still faces county and city approval, would require a 30-year tax abatement and $250 million in tax-free infrastructure financing. Additional sales tax revenue from the expanded mall is estimated at $89 million a year. Mall employment would increase from 3,100 jobs to 11,150 jobs, plus 8,200 construction jobs to build the addition. All the work could be finished as early as 2004. (5/2)
Employment Growth-- According to the state Labor Department survey, the Rochester region had 554,600 jobs in April compared with 552,600 for Buffalo. A month earlier, Buffalo was 800 jobs ahead. In the last decade, Rochester has grown by approximately 45,000 jobs. The Buffalo job count has grown by approximately 8,400 jobs. The Labor Department counts the Buffalo metro area as Erie and Niagara counties, while the Rochester region consists of Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Livingston, Genesee and Orleans counties. The population of the Buffalo metro area is about 1.2 million, or about 100,000 more than greater Rochester. In the past year, the job count in Buffalo grew by 1,800 while the Rochester market picked up 7,500 jobs. (5/24)
Enrollment Growth-- Booming enrollment at local liberal arts colleges has spurred $80 million in current or proposed renovations on area campuses. The 5-year growth spurt has already resulted in some $35 million in renovations, with schools planning to spend another $45 million. Over the past five years, applications to attend the colleges have risen an average of nearly 25% per school, led by Keuka College with a 68% jump. A $10 million renovation project will begin this spring at Keuka College to revamp the science building, demolish, and rebuild a new administration building, and add an athletic facility. In the last few years, St. John Fisher College has spent $18 million to renovate its classrooms and laboratory facilities and build Growney Stadium. It is spending another $6 million to construct an academic building featuring a cyberspace café and information commons. Roberts Wesleyan College plans to begin next month on a $10 million project that includes a large dormitory and a community service center. The two combined total 80,000 square feet. Nazareth has outgrown its campus and plans to invest more than $19 million in renovations and construction. These plans include acquiring adjacent land from the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester. Geneva's Hobart and William Smith Colleges wrapped up its $17 million renovation project about a year ago. The project included a significant addition to the library, expanded athletic facilities and Rosenberg Hall, a science facility. Liberal arts schools are generally smaller, private colleges with a low teacher/student ratio and a regional draw. The average tuition at liberal arts institutions nationally is $11,700. (4/7)
Tourism-- According to the Greater Rochester Visitors Association, visitor spending in Rochester increased by $7 million last year. Officials estimate 1.56 million people visited last year, 42,000 more than in 1998. Those visitors spent $238 million. (5/10)
Erie Canal Revitalization Plan-- A revitalization plan launched in 1996 is giving upstate New York a powerful economic boost in the 21st century. The five-year, $32 million program is designed to preserve and rehabilitate the waterway's infrastructure, expand recreational opportunities and foster economic development along the canal corridor. Seven canal harbors, including Rochester, are undergoing improvements. The canal system is also benefiting from a federal program, approved in 1997, which provides some $400 million in loans, loan guarantees, and grants. The state Canal Corp., a subsidiary of the Thruway Authority, is pumping nearly $3 million into marketing efforts. Studies predict that canal redevelopment will create thousands of jobs and generate hundreds of millions of dollars in local revenues. Fairport and Pittsford are examples of communities that have seized the chance to develop their canal assets. Surrounding communities are currently undertaking similar development projects. (5/5)
OFFICE
Greece-- Two local businesses will fill a 60,000 square-foot vacancy in Canal Ponds Business Park. A local division of Applied Graphics Technologies and The Sutherland Group Ltd. will occupy the former Rochester Sports building at 155 Bellwood Drive. Sutherland, a professional services company based in Pittsford, has six offices, three of them in the Rochester area. Applied Graphics digital imaging systems division is expanding from a 16,000 square-foot space to a 34,500 square-foot area. The division opened in 1993 on Emerson Street in Rochester. The company will close that office when it moves this summer. The division, which started with 18 workers, now employs 116, with 70 at the Rochester office. (5/12)
Henrietta-- Frontier Communications plans to move approximately 400 employees from its office located at 180 S. Clinton Avenue to its new customer service center at 1225 Jefferson Road, in Henrietta. The move affects employees who currently work on the third floor of Frontier's downtown office. Frontier will lease about 48,000 square feet in the Lechmere space at the former Cohoes Commons for five years. Financial terms were not disclosed. (3/16) The county's Industrial Development Agency has given a tax break to Frontier Corporation. Frontier will be able to purchase construction materials and furniture free of any sales tax during its $5.2 million renovation project of the former Lechmere facility on Jefferson Road. Since Rochester developer David Flaum purchased the 272,500 square-foot plaza for nearly $6 million last fall, several new businesses have opened shop there. (3/29)
Penfield-- Paychex Inc. is moving forward on a plan to expand its headquarters and consolidate area operations there. The company submitted plans for a third building at 911 Panorama Trail South. The new five-story building would have ~ 200,000 square feet and cost ~ $26 million. About 500 employees are based at the corporation's 140,000 square-foot headquarters near the Penfield-Pittsford line. The new building would accommodate between 700 and 1,000 workers. Most would be moved from office space now leased throughout the Rochester area. Its existing headquarters is assessed at $12.6 million. ( 4/21)
Perinton-- CB Richard Ellis, leasing agent for Basin Investments, has leased a total of 40,000 square-feet of Business Class office space at Basin Park. Of this total, 28,000 square-feet of the space was leased by Canandaigua National Bank & Trust for a lease term of 10 years, with the remainder of the space being leased by Eastview Executive Suites and Teknics (6,000 square-feet each for five years). Basin Park, located at 1150-1160 Pittsford-Victor Road, is situated on 18.2 acres in Bushnell's Basin. (3/28,4/17)
Perinton-- Victor-based Christa Construction has submitted plans for two more buildings in the Corporate Crossings office park. The 20-acre office park already has two large office buildings and has approval for a third. Christa, which owns the park, is proposing a two-story, 35,000 square-foot building with a walk out basement and a 6,000-to-7,000 square foot office building. Corporate Crossings land has been zoned for office buildings for more than 20 years. The small residential-style building would be built on an acre of land that was rezoned in January. (5/3)
Rochester-- The United Way of Greater Rochester Inc. has signed a purchase agreement to buy the American Red Cross building at 75 College Ave. for $1.9 million. The purchase agreement calls for the United Way to pay $1.2 million at closing and the balance in equal payments at 6% interest over the next five years. The sale is slated for November 1st closing. United Way worked out a deal with their present landlord, the Greater Rochester Metro Chamber of Commerce Inc., to let them out of their current lease. The 16-year lease, signed in 1987 will terminate on Jan. 31, 2001. (3/10)
RETAIL
Greece-- Developer Dale Scutti has asked the town board to rezone approximately 17 acres on the south side of West Ridge Road to allow for general business use and issue a permit for a Lowe's home improvement store, originally proposed for the Greece Park Mall. It is speculated that Scutti had trouble securing the property he needed to build at the Greece Park Mall. He owned only part of the land on which he proposed building. The 135,000 square-foot store would now be located just west of Ralph Pontiac Honda, 3939 W. Ridge Road. The acreage is currently zoned for single family homes. Lowe's based in North Wilkesboro, N.C., is the second-largest home improvement retailer behind Home Depot. Its only Rochester location is in Henrietta. (4/13)
Irondequoit-- Home Depot has opened its newest location on East Ridge Road. The 113,000 square-foot store employs about 200 people and offers more than 45,000 different products and service. Atlanta-based Home Depot's other area stores are in Greece, Henrietta, Penfield, and Victor. (5/25)
Irondequoit-- The town is selling its prime waterfront property to be used for boat and car dealerships. Nine acres off Pattonwood Drive will be split between Skip Shumway of Shumway Marina and John Gabriele of Maria Dodge at a cost of $130,000 per acre. Shumway will lease his four acres of the prime waterfront property to Smith Boys of Rochester Inc. to be used for yacht sales. Marina Dodge will relocate to the back portion of the remaining five acres after the state demolished the dealership next year to make way for the Stutson Street bridge replacement. The town and Gabriele will swap the land, whereby the town will get 3.5 acres of riverfront property along the Genesee River and Gabriele will pay for about 1.5 acres of the Pattonwood property. (5/26)
Naples-- Developer Ed Garrigues is seeking planning board approval for Naples Creek Village, a proposed hotel and strip mall. The complex would be built on 11.2 acres of land straddling the town-village line near routes 21 and 53. The plans include 10 high-end retail shops, a two-story, 48 room motel, 42 upscale extended-stay units, a chapel and separate gated community which would include 28 additional extended-stay units and 12 townhomes. All of the living units would be rentals. (4/18,4/21)
Rush-- The Dorschel group, one of Rochester's largest automobile dealerships, wants to develop 14 acres of residential property it owns near the intersection of routes 15 and 251. The initial proposal calls for a 14,000 square-foot auto sales center, a convenience store, a gas station, and an automated car wash on approximately half the land. Dorschel stated that this is the first phase of a plan to develop 26 acres the company owns at the intersection. Plans for the remaining half are undefined. (4/28)
Victor-- The town Planning Board has begun the long review process for a proposed 565,000 square-foot commercial complex anchored by a Wal-Mart near EastView Mall. In addition to the 204,000 square-foot Wal-Mart, Buffalo-based Benderson Development hopes to put three retail stores, three restaurants, five office buildings, and a hotel on a 95 acre plot on Route 96 at the intersection of the New York state Thruway and Interstate 490. The planning board will designate itself as the agency responsible for overseeing an environmental impact study of the proposed Victor Commerce Park. The board will then refer an appeal for a setback reduction to the town Zoning Board of Appeals. (4/24) A line dividing residential and commercial zoning cuts through Benderson's property. Benderson Development has proposed a land swap with Robert Scala, who owns land adjacent to the development site. When two types of zoning occur within one plot of land, the most restrictive zoning takes place. In Benderson's case, because a 70-acre commercially zoned plot contains about 3 acres of residentially zoned land, Benderson could only develop the land as residential unless the small piece is rezoned or removed. Removing the piece, called subdividing would require Planning Board approval. If the board approves the subdivision, Benderson would give Scala the residential land in exchange for a similar amount of commercially zoned land that falls within a residential plot that Scala owns. The swap would allow Benderson to develop the land commercially. If approved, Benderson would likely be required to keep the swapped commercial land as open space. (5/9)
INDUSTRIAL
Gates-- Separating the utilities at Kodak Elmgrove poses the final hurdle in the sale of a major portion of the facility to Heidelberg Digital LLC. Heidelberg plans to take 870,000 square feet of the 5 million square-foot campus. The company bought Kodak's former copier business a year ago and employs 1,400 locally. Elmgrove's current set-up, designed for a single owner, does not easily allow for separation of utility costs and service to address multiple owners. One steam and chilled-water plant supplies the entire campus with steam, heat, and cold water. Kodak manages and maintains the roads, water, sewer, drainage, natural gas, telecommunication, and electricity, along with equipment, buildings, and power lines. (4/28)
Henrietta-- County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency (COMIDA) approved a package of tax breaks for ENI to help with a $4.3 million expansion expected to create 46 jobs within three years. ENI will receive a total of $357,119 in sales tax exemptions and property tax abatements. In return, COMIDA estimates the project will have a $3.86 million net impact on the local economy. The local manufacturer of FR and DC generators will build a 40,000 square-foot engineering lab and office as an addition to its existing facility on Highpower Road. The company employs more than 440 people. (5/17)
Henrietta-- The Rochester Institute of Technology has requested the town to rezone a 250 acre parcel of school-owned land at John Street and Bailey Road. RIT is asking the town to change the zoning from residential to industrial. The university is willing to consent to a condition to any rezoning to incorporate that any user of this property or any potential development to go in there would come back to the Town Board for a special-use permit. If the rezoning were granted, RIT plans on eventually selling the land, which would put the property on the town tax rolls. (5/10)
Penfield-- The developer of Linden Tech, now called Linden Hills, is planning to add 113 parking spaces to its industrial park to accommodate new tenants. The addition would bring the size of the parking lot to 280 spaces. The development is on a 20-acre parcel located north of Linden Avenue and south of Old Penfield Road, on the boundary between the towns of Penfield and Brighton. Paychex is considering leasing about 36,000 square feet at the Linden Tech Industrial Park building on Linden Avenue. (4/12)
Pittsford-- Monoco Oil, an asphalt plant located at 75 Monroe Avenue, ordered closed after a state Supreme Court Justice ruled it presented a public nuisance is being auctioned off in June. Monoco repeatedly had violated state clean air, clean water, and oil spill laws. Monoco operated in Pittsford since the 1930s as a fuel oil storage and transfer facility then was converted to an asphalt storage and transfer facility in September 1983. The property, assessed at $1.4 million, consists of two lots, 1.5 acres in the village, and 6 acres in the town. (5/10)
Victor-- Quick Eagle Networks will be the first tenant at the newly established Omnitech Business Park, located off Phillips Road. Quick Eagle will lease about 12,000 square feet of space in the 43,000 square-foot building. Company officials plan to move Quick Eagle's Rochester research and development center to the business park at the end of this month. Formerly known as Digital Link, the network access and management solutions provider changed its name in January. (4/23)
RESIDENTIAL
Canandaigua-- Construction is underway on Ferris Hills at West Lake, a senior housing community overlooking Canandaigua Lake. The facility is affiliated with F.F. Thompson Health System and will be located less than a mile from its hospital. The complex will have 84 "independent living" apartments, as well as 48 "enriched living" apartments. There are six apartment sizes ranging from 605 square feet to 1,350 square feet. The smallest apartment involves a $69,000 refundable deposit, 10% of which is required at reservation, with the remainder paid upon moving in. There is also a $1,295 monthly service fee that covers utilities, (1) daily meal, weekly housekeeping, scheduled transportation, and activities. Amenities will include private dining rooms, a lounge with a balcony overlooking the lake, a beauty and barber shop, a library with computer access, a convenience store, a deli, and a fitness center. Of the 57 acres comprising Ferris Hills at West Lake, only about 14% will be developed. 65% of the independent living units are reserved. (4/6)
Egypt-- Pride Mark Homes Inc. is asking the town to rezone a 40-acre site along Mason Road near Pittsford-Palmyra Road from "residential B" to "apartment". The rezoning change would allow Pride Mark to build a 150-unit complex on the site. The development plan calls for 30 buildings: 11 duplex units that would be built along the perimeter of the site, and 19 structures that would each contain six to eight apartment units. The site would include a clubhouse, pool, and tennis courts. A 100-foot buffer is planned to preserve nearby wetlands. The two-family duplexes will be one story with two-car attached garages. The apartment buildings will be two-to-three stories high and have one-to-two car attached garages with separate entrances, patios and mixed masonry exteriors. Rents would range from $750 to $1,200. (3/23,5/4)
Gates-- The town is considering two plans for senior citizen housing. The Rochester-based Episcopal Church Home submitted plans for an assisted-living complex to be built on a 9.5-acre site on Buffalo Road. Plans for Gates Senior Housing, the temporary name give to the church home's 71-unit residential complex, include 67 one-bedroom and four two-bedroom apartments, an on-premises gift shop, beauty salon, chapel and gardens. The church home asked the board to rezone the property from residential to multiple residence. In addition, Rochester Christian Church submitted plans to build Bethany Village, a 52-unit project that would, for the most part, house members of the congregation. The 10-acre complex would feature a 6,500 square-foot commons area for activities and social events. The project needs Town Board and Planning Board approval. (4/5)
Greece-- Developer, Max Farash received planning board approval for the proposed Courtyard Lanes Apartment project. The plans call for five two-story apartment buildings, with eight 1,100 square-foot units a piece, to be built on a 4.5-acre parcel located south of English Road and east of Dewey Avenue. The town is requiring the developer to build a wooden fence along the border of the property and to replace any trees and shrubbery affected by the construction. Construction is expected to begin in May and will take about eight months to complete. (3/16)
Greece-- The Whitney Group, a Rochester-based development firm has proposed building an 80-house subdivision near Canal Ponds Park. The Canal Side Estates development is planned for about 80 acres just south of the park. The houses are expected to cost between $200,000 and $350,000 according to preliminary plans. Planning board will consider approving the plan after an environmental review of the area is completed. (3/16)
Greece-- The construction of a senior citizen assisted-living facility at Park Ridge Hospital will be paid for with a $20 million county bond. The funding was approved last week by the County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency. Construction of the two-story, 122-unit assisted-living facility began late last year. It is expected to be completed by September. Town officials approved the project in September 1998. Park Ridge applied for the county funding in April. (5/25)
Greece-- The Planning Board is considering a preliminary proposal by Woodcreek Developers to build 116 houses on about 70 acres off Flynn Road. About six acres would need to be rezoned from industrial to residential to make way for the proposed subdivision, called Forest Glen North Estates. The developer is currently seeking site-plan approval for the project. (5/25)
Greece-- Horizon Homes, Inc. is proposing to build 124 houses on about 70 acres off North Greece Road, just north of Latta Road. The proposed Field Stone Estates subdivision would be built southwest of the proposed Forest Glen North Estates subdivision. The Planning Board is currently reviewing drainage issues related to the development. (5/25)
Henrietta-- The Town Board rejected developer PDM Construction's application to rezone a 29-acre parcel on Jefferson Road for a proposed apartment complex, consisting of 41 duplexes and 82 apartments. The town stated that application was inadequate for the board to give approval. Issues such as pending construction on Jefferson Road, traffic flow, and other matters were not properly addressed. (5/24)
Pittsford-- Developer Mascot Inc. is proposing a 33-home subdivision on one of the highest rated parcels of land within Pittsford's 1,800-acre greenprint area. The 48-acre parcel of land is owned by John and Carol Aldridge and is located at 1585 Calkins Road, near Pittsford-Henrietta Townline Road, just before the Henrietta border. The Aldridge property is located within 600 acres of Greenprint land that is not protected by development rights. The town bought development rights for the rest of the greenprint-1,200 acres of farmland-for $9.9 million a couple of years ago. The Sear-Brown Group is designing the proposed houses. (4/5)
Rochester-- The Cultural Center Commission is considering two proposals for the property it owns on East Avenue adjacent to the East End parking garage. The Cultural Center Commission is a joint city and Monroe County agency established in 1979 to enhance the East End cultural district. The commission also owns the East End garage. Robert Doucette, of Syracuse, and local developer Steven Natapow have both submitted plans that include multi-level luxury apartment complexes with ground-floor space for retail shops and offices. Doucette's plans call for a six-story building with 50 two-bedroom apartments. The entire building would be wired for high-speed Internet connections and for security. Natapow's project would involve the Cultural Center Commission's site and property across Scio Street, part of which is occupied by Milestones nightclub. The building would have five or six stories and include 150 apartments with office and retail space on the ground floor. A bridge across Scio Street would connect the two wings of the complex. It also would include high-tech perks such as high-speed communication systems. (5/1)
Sweden-- Crystal Ridge Development submitted plans for an 803-unit community consisting of apartments, townhouses, single-family houses and senior citizen duplexes. The $100 million housing development would be built on 291 acres south of Route 31, off Lake Road. Crystal Ridge Development would boost the town's population by an estimated 2,200 people, or 25%. Construction could begin in 18 months and is expected to take 20 to 25 years. (4/14)
Victor-- The Planning Board has rejected Pioneer Corps'., application to build 154 upscale apartments off of Rawson Road. They stated it is incomplete because there is no agreement with the village to provide sewer service if it's built. Plans for the upscale complex include 22 apartment buildings housing up to eight apartments each with garages, a clubhouse, and pool. The apartment rents would range from $800 to $1,300 per month. The complex would be located in the existing Drumlins subdivision between two tracts of single-family homes. Approximately 55 clustered town homes are also in the subdivision. (4/7,4/26) The Pioneer Corp., developer of the Drumlins is suing the village of Victor to try to get sewer service to the project. The village maintains that the system already is operating under a state Department of Environmental Conservation consent agreement to occasionally exceed limits, and that the apartment complex would overtax the system's limited capacity. (4/26)
Victor-- The Town Board approved a zoning change for 10 acres on High Street so that a developer can open a senior housing complex. U.S. Homes Corp. intends to build a 144-unit complex, called The Park Crescent at Victor, for independent seniors, seniors who need medical care, and seniors with Alzheimer's disease. U.S. Homes Corp. plans to start constructing the first 96 apartments this fall, to open in the fall of 2001. More apartments are planned for 2002. (3/14)
OTHER
Canandaigua-- The City Planning Commission approved the construction of the proposed $17 million Roseland Waterpark. The 56-acre aquatic amusement park will be on man-made Muar Lake off Routes 5 and 20. The park is expected to draw as many as 250,000 visitors and tourists to the area each summer and could generate as many as 300 seasonal full and part-time jobs. Canandaigua will build $400,000 in infrastructure connections to the site. The Planning Board required the developers to post a $100,00 bond payable no later than Oct. 15, 2001 should the park be abandoned. The waterpark is tentatively scheduled to open on Memorial Day next year. (5/31)
Farmington-- Perinton developer Steven Vangellow wants to open an indoor shooting range on Commercial Drive. The facility would include 10 firing positions and an instruction room. The location, between Hook Road and Route 332, offers easy accessibility and is part of a developing area. Project plans have been introduced to the Planning Board but an application has not been submitted to the town for approval. (4/24)
Ganada-- The YMCA wants to build a 10,000 to 15,000 square-foot addition to the Richard Mann Elementary School. The YMCA has proposed a long-term land lease with the school district. Officials hope to reach an agreement allowing the YMCA to share the school's new pool and gymnasium. YMCA officials are conducting a feasibility study to determine how much residents would support the proposed $2 million branch. This would be the first branch of the YMCA in Wayne County. (3/13)
Naples-- Tom and Martha Kelly have agreed to sell the town 90 acres of land off Route 245 for approximately $150,000. The site, located just east of the village, adjacent to the Hi Tor State Wildlife Management Area will be developed into a community park. The state awarded a $75,000 grant for the project in 1998. (3/29)
Palmyra-- The marina, to be located at the corner of Division and Canal streets may have to be done in stages, as bids have come in over the $498,000 budgeted for the project. The range of bids came in between $673,500 to $900,000, with a Palmyra firm, Empire State Mechanical Contractors, the low bidder. An engineer is reviewing the low bid to make sure it meets village specifications before the board considers accepting it. The scope of the project includes 10 boat slips, a restroom facility, and a parking lot. A separate but related project, a trailway, would lead from the canal to the center of the village. The project will be funded through the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Canal Corridor Initiative and in-kind services from the village. (3/12)
Pittsford-- The Del Monte Lodge complex, located on North Main Street in the village will open its doors on April 17th, three years after the project was first proposed. The complex includes a 100-room hotel, the Erie Grill, an 80-seat restaurant that overlooks the Erie Canal; a pool, exercise room and outdoor patio; and Ernie's, a bar and smoking lounge with a fireplace and adjoining terrace. Although Ernie Del Monte received village Planning Board approval to convert the adjoining old railroad depot into a 160-seat restaurant, no immediate plans are in the works. (3/22)
Pittsford-- David Handel, owner of Margaret Strong's 14-bedroom mansion received a variance from the town's Zoning Board of Appeals to open a bed and breakfast in the Strong Mansion, 700 Allens Creek Road. The 14,000 square-foot, Italian stucco house will have nine bedrooms and will be available at $75 to $250 a night. The town approved use of 16 parking spaces, which can be accommodated with the four-car garage and 12 spaces outside the house. (5/20)
Pittsford-- The Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester and Nazareth College have reached an agreement on the school's purchase of 73 acres of the order's East Avenue property. The college will also purchase all of its buildings - the 130,000 square-foot motherhouse, built in 1927; the 57,000 square-foot infirmary, boiler house, garages, and a house at 4141 East Avenue for an undisclosed sum of money. The buildings are connected to the campus by underground tunnels. The purchase will almost double the size of Nazareth's 75-acre campus. The cost of the college's expansion project was previously pegged at about $19 million, but those figures are subject to change. The sisters will keep 57 to 60 acres of property it owns along French Road, and are considering building a new living facility that would be comparable to the motherhouse and infirmary. (4/7,4/12)
Rochester-- The County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency (COMIDA) granted a $210,000 package of tax breaks to USAirports LLC. The company plans to build a new hanger at the Greater Rochester International Airport. The project will create five new jobs. (5/17)
Rochester-- Harro East Properties LLC has purchased the Harro East Athletic Club from Kenneth Fournier for an undisclosed amount of money. Harro East Properties LLC owns the Harro East Building where the 45,000 square-foot club is located. Plans include consolidating the front desk with the juice bar and pro shop, adding new cardiovascular exercise equipment, updating lighting on the racquetball courts and offering new fitness classes. Renovations will cost an estimated $100,000 and should be completed by the end of summer. The club currently has about 800 members and hopes to add another 200 to 300. (4/14)
Rochester-- The city's new festival area is scheduled to open in May. The festival area, which cost $450,000 to complete, is located next to the renovated Gorsline Building on Commercial Street. The new site replaces the "Festival Tent" on Capron Street near the Geva Theatre. The tent closed at the end of the 1995 summer season. The new festival area is part of the city's $25 million investment to create the High Falls Entertainment District. (4/17)
Rochester-- A new high-end eatery is opening at the site of the former Harry's Bar & Grill. David Alkaher plans to open Sienna in the corner space at 151 St. Paul Street in mid-June. The Rochester native signed a 12-year lease for the space owned by Atrium Associates. Sienna currently seats 60. Plans are to open the basement of the building, which seats 55, in October to host corporate functions and parties. Alkaher is hiring 15 to 18 full-time employees. Dinner hours will run from 4 to 10 p.m. (6/2)
GENERAL
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)
