2nd Quarter 2002
ECONOMIC & BUSINESS
Xerox Corporation Labor Deal-- Xerox Corp.'s new contract with Rochester-area union workers guarantees jobs for the document company's 1,955 local union employees. Terms of the three-year agreement, approved in a March 28 vote, guarantee jobs for all workers employed on March 18 or earlier. Workers hired after that date can be laid off. (4/12)
Paychex Inc.-- Paychex Inc. announced net income of $68.7 million, or $.18 diluted earnings per share, for the quarter ended May 31, 2002, an 1% increase over net income of $67.8 million, or $.18 diluted earnings per share, for the same period last year. Total revenues were $244.3 million, a 7% increase over $228.6 million for the fourth quarter last year. For the twelve months ended May 31, 2002, the Company reported record net income of $274.5 million, or $.73 diluted earnings per share, an 8% increase over $254.9 million, or $.68 diluted earnings per share, for the same period last year. Total revenues were $954.9 million, an increase of 10% over $869.9 million for the same period last year. (6/25)
Bausch & Lomb Inc.-- Bausch & Lomb reported first quarter net sales during the period were $414.2 million, up 3% from the $402.6 million reported in the first quarter of 2001. For the first quarter, the Company reported net earnings of $8.8 million, or 16 cents per share, compared to a net loss of $1.0 million, or 2 cents per share, in the prior year period. In the current quarter, the Company recorded restructuring charges and asset write-offs totaling $15.4 million. The company had planned to slash some 700 jobs worldwide to reduce operating costs. The number has risen to 800 staffers. (4/25) Bausch & Lomb announced a reduction in its quarterly dividend from $0.26 to $0.13 per share in order to better align its dividend pay out with its own financial objectives and the pay out rates of its industry peers. (4/25)
Area Donation-- Paychex Inc. CEO Thomas Golisano has donated $14 million to the Strong Children's Hospital. According to UR officials, the 122-bed pediatric unit of the University of Rochester's Strong Memorial Hospital now will be known as Golisano Children's Hospital. The Golisano gift is the largest to the school by a living donor. (4/8)
Area Unemployment-- According to the state Labor Department, the Rochester area's unemployment rate was 6.1% in March, down from 6.6% in February. The statewide unemployment rate was 5.9%, unchanged from February. (4/18)
Area Tourism-- According to the Greater Rochester Visitors Association the total number of visitors in the Rochester area in 2001 was 1.4 million, down 10% from 1.56 million in 2000. Spending fell from $241 million in 2000 to $226 million in 2001, a decline of 6.2%. (5/24)
Urban Housing Update-- According to data released by city officials, more than $56.3 million worth of high-end housing projects have either been completed in the last two years or are proposed for the next few years in downtown Rochester. More than 427 units have been built in the last three years or are planned. Rents range from $850 to $1,700 or more a month. The downtown housing market surge began two years ago with the $3.3 million conversion of the Knowlton Building in the Cascade District into lofts and the construction of the $9.1 million Chevy Place apartments in the East End. (6/1)
Area Home Sales-- According to The Realtors association (formerly the Greater Rochester Association of Realtors) Rochester-area house sales in April were up 11.4% compared with a year ago. In April, 887 houses sold, up from 691 in March and 796 in April 2001. Listings were down 7.9% in April compared with April 2001. According to statistics, 4,058 houses were sold from January through May of this year, up from 3,844 houses during those five months last year. May sales were up 9.9% from a year ago. In May 2000, 10,979 houses were listed for sale; in May 2001, 8,721 houses were listed for sale, a drop of more than 20%. Sales in Rochester, where values are traditionally lower, are up 13.5% this year compared with the same five months of 2001. The median sale price so far this year has fallen 6.2% from a year ago. (5/3, 6/7)
Area New Construction-- Data from the Rochester Home Builders' Association Inc. shows that in Monroe County, the number of single-family, town-house and apartment building permits has increased by 6% over the 10-year period, from 1,840 in 1991 to 1,949 in 2001. Webster led the way in 2001 with 387 units built; including 227 homes and 114 apartment units. The second highest number of units in Monroe County came from Greece with 323 units, followed by Henrietta with 210 units. The top local home builder, based on the total number of units built in 2001, is Ryan Homes of New York, which built 270 homes last year, down from 280 a year earlier. (3/29)
Area Bankruptcy Filings-- According to figures compiled by the U.S. Western Bankruptcy Court clerk, Rochester-area bankruptcy filings increase 3% in April compared with the same month in 2001. In April, 503 individuals and businesses filed bankruptcy petitions, compared with 477 filings in 2001. Of Aprils filings, 399 were Chapter 7 petitions to liquidate assets, and 104 were Chapter 13 petitions seeking to reorganize. (5/7)
OFFICE
Brighton-- Crosskeys Corp. submitted an informal presentation to the Town Board to construct approximately 340,000 sq.ft. of office space on about 50 acres of land near Westfall Road, between Winton Road and Route 590. The proposal includes the extension of Senator Keating Boulevard to accommodate construction of the buildings. In addition, the plans include giving the town an option to buy some land for recreational use near the site of the proposed offices, adjacent to the Gonsenhauser farm. The town plans to develop the Gonsenhauser site into a town park. Before the plan moves forward, the Town Board will have to consider rezoning the property from residential to low-density office use. The town's recently adopted comprehensive plan includes a plan for low-density offices in that area. (4/24)
Henrietta-- Travelers Property Casualty Corp. is closing its workers' compensation claim service center at 75 Town Centre Drive on August 31, 2002. The office's 57 workers will be laid off or transferred to other Travelers' locations. (5/24)
Perinton-- HSBC Bank USA is building a new branch at 12 Courtney Drive, near the intersection of routes 250 and 31. The new office, scheduled to open in late September, will be one of just five new branches nationwide that HSBC will build this year. (6/20)
Pittsford-- Coldwell Banker Prime Properties, Albany's largest residential real estate firm, has purchased the Rochester area's four Coldwell Banker agencies and merged them under one name. Coldwell Banker First American of Pittsford, Coldwell Banker Select Real Estate of Brighton, Coldwell Banker Royal Oak of Greece and Coldwell Banker Pultney Land Co. of Williamson, Wayne County, will become Coldwell Banker Prime Properties in Rochester. The move will create the area's fourth largest residential real estate brokerage, which will work out of a new office at 3750 Monroe Avenue. The four local agencies have about $135 million in sales volume and about 50 agents. (6/1)
Rochester-- Benderson Development Co. Inc. is nearing completion of its $6 million renovation project at HSBC tower. Benderson, who purchased the 20-story, 380,000 sq.ft. building in 1998, stated that current occupancy at the tower is 93%. Future renovation plans include rebuilding the area around the buildings entrance to make it more durable and parklike. (5/26)
Rochester-- HSBC Bank USA announced it will close its branch in the Sibley Building and transfer those customers to the branch in the bank's local headquarters building at 1 HSBC Plaza. (6/20)
RETAIL
Canandaigua-- Mickey's Chophouse will be located at 5 Beeman St. in the former Rainbow Thai and Chinese Restaurant. The City Planning Commission approved the special use permit. The property, which is owned by Waterford Properties in Victor, will be leased by Debbie and Michael Peacock. The business will create about 11 jobs - eight service and three kitchen staff. The non-smoking restaurant will seat about 90 and will open for dinner-only. The Rainbow Thai and Chinese Restaurant relocated to the Raymour & Flanigan Plaza on Routes 5 and 20. (5/15)
Gates-- The Planning Board granted final site plan approval for Tim Hortons to construct and operate a 2,700 sq.ft. facility on the northwest corner of Howard and Buffalo roads. The restaurant, the first of five planned for Monroe County, is expected to employ 35 people. The new structure will replace a gas station abandoned late last year. Building demolition and removal of the underground gas tanks will precede construction. Work is to begin in June and be completed by the fall. (4/29)
Greece-- Talbots submitted a proposal to build a 6,200 sq.ft. store in Country Village Plaza at 1100 Long Pond Road. The Town Board has to rule on the setback variance before the project can be sent to the Zoning Board for more specific variances on the building setback and parking. Talbots wants to build it closer to the road than the 200 feet allowed under town code. If the Town Board approves a closer setback, the Zoning Board of Appeals would then decide whether to allow 272 parking spaces instead of the 397 spaces required. (5/23, 6/13) The Town Board granted a rezoning approval so Talbots women's clothing store can build in Country Village Plaza closer to Long Pond Road. The proposal is now before the Zoning Board of Appeals. (6.20)
Henrietta-- Tim Hortons, a Canadian-based coffee shop and restaurant chain plans to open two new stores in Henrietta: one is planned at the site of the now-defunct Chi-Chi's Mexican Restaurant on Jefferson Road. Another is slated for a location near the intersection of Lehigh Station and West Henrietta roads. The cost to build and open each location averages $1 million. Both stores are expected to employ about 30 people each. (5/29)
Henrietta-- Wegmans Food Markets Inc.'s application to rezone a 30-acre parcel of land on Calkins Road to make way for a 130,000 square-foot superstore - one of the largest in the area - which also includes a proposal for another 75,000 square feet of additional commercial space is still undecided. Residents were given an opportunity at a public hearing to express concerns about traffic, safety, lighting and other aspects of the project. Wegmans already has two stores in Henrietta. A smaller store at East Henrietta and Calkins roads would close when the new store opens. (4/18)
Livonia-- Least Auto Group Inc. sold its automobile dealership located at 30 Commercial St. in U.S. Bankruptcy Court to Timothy and Steven Balconi, owners of a Geneseo dealership. The purchase of the dealership is a lease agreement in which the Balconis will pay $6,000 a month for six years and pay for improvements to the Commercial Street property. Least Auto Group Inc. is looking to sell its two other dealerships that have recently closed. Proceeds from the sales would go to pay Least's creditors. (4/25)
Penfield-- Delta Sonic Car Wash Systems submitted a proposal to the Planning Board to build a new facility at 1841 Empire Blvd. and 24 Smith Road, near Charlie Reidel's Restaurant. The properties are adjacent to each other and connect on the back part of the properties. It would be fully equipped with a car wash, gas station, detail shop and oil, lube and convenience store. The property is on 3.92 acres and the facility will be about 17,950 sq.ft. Pending approval, Delta Sonic hopes to start building by the end of this year and anticipates opening by the summer of 2003. (6/6)
Perinton-- Mamasan's Restaurant owner, Le Thi Be Walters has received approval by the Historic Architecture Commission to demolish the single-family homes currently at 741 and 747 Pittsford-Victor Road, transforming the single-family homes at 721 and 751 Pittsford-Victor Road into retail/office space and moving the church at 735 Pittsford-Victor Road. Walter plans to open a restaurant in the converted church in the Bushnell's Basin hamlet. The old church, which most recently operated as a jewelry store, was built in the 1830s and was converted to commercial use in the 1980s. Walters has purchased several parcels for expansion and parking. The Planning Board has yet to give preliminary site approval. (4/25)
Pittsford-- The Pittsford Zoning Board of Appeals has rejected a variance application submitted by Linden Avenue Enterprises to open a strip club at 773 Linden Avenue, the current site of Ricci's Towing and close to the East Rochester border. The building inspector determined it was a use and not an area variance that was required. Linden Avenue Enterprises was seeking two variance: one because the club would be within 500 feet of a residential area, which is Woodland Estates. The area is zoned for adult entertainment, but businesses cannot be within 500 feet of residences. The second variance was needed because the club would serve food and beverages, which is not permitted in the light industrial zone. Attorneys for Linden Avenue Enterprises stated they would likely file a lawsuit with the State Supreme Court appealing the Zoning Board's decision. (4/10, 4/17)
Rochester-- Wegmans Food Markets Inc. will expand its 21,000 sq.ft. store on Mt. Hope Avenue, introducing a retro motif to give it the appearance of a classic 1970s grocery. The new 32,000 sq.ft. store will include a large cafe. The expansion will use the space formerly occupied by an M&T Bank and a CVS pharmacy adjacent to the current store. Plans include closing off all curb cuts (on Mt. Hope) and just leave one, putting a light there opposite Record Archive and renovating the existing parking lot. If all approvals are obtained by August, construction could begin by Jan. 1, 2003. Work would take 12 to 18 months. It will be done in phases, and the store will remain open throughout. Wegmans will build a two-lane service road between Mt. Hope and Crittenden Boulevard, which runs along the south side of the property. (5/25)
Rochester-- Center Stage Cafe opened in March at Eastman Place, 25 Gibbs St., in the heart of Rochester's cultural district. The cafe has a musical/theatrical theme and will provide a casual eat-in/carry-out breakfast and lunch menu of homemade specialty foods. (4/10)
Rochester-- Danny's East End Cafe will close at the end of May after 10 years. The owner plans to move away from the area. Negotiations are under way to lease the 35 Chestnut Street location to another restaurant. (5/31)
Rochester-- Computer Rentals of America, LLC has moved into its new western New York headquarters at 167 Liberty Pole Way. The company, which rents desktops, laptops, monitors, printers and LCD projectors, also has offices in Syracuse and Buffalo. (3/28)
Rochester-- Edwards Restaurant has relocated from South Fitzhugh Street to the Jonathan Child House on Washington Street. Edwards Restaurant co-owners spent some $500,000 renovating and converting the old house into a restaurant. They hired 10 to 12 additional staffers, increasing the number of employees to 45 to adequately cover the 120-seat, 5,500 sq.ft. restaurant. The old place had 105 seats and was approximately 4,600 sq.ft. in size. (6/14)
Webster-- The Planning Board granted final approval on the 177,000 sq.ft. Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse, to be built near the corner of Five Mile Line Road and Route 104. Construction could start by the fall, with the store opening to customers in 2003. Plans include a turn signal at the store's Five Mile Line entrance and a southbound right turn lane at the intersection of Five Mile Line and Ridge Road. Plans also call for a driveway that would link Lowe's to BJ's Wholesale Club off Hard Road. (6/10)
Woodville-- Southside Grille, a seasonal restaurant plans to open in the former Doc's Lakeview site on Route 21 at the southern end of Canandaigua Lake. Changes for the eatery include making the deck open-air, a screened-in lake-level dining area, upgrades to the parking area and lighting the docks. The Southside Grille menu will include seaforo, salads, steaks and local wines. (5/1)
INDUSTRIAL
Canandaigua-- The former Xerox building off Route 332 will be the new home of the Infotonics Center of Excellence's $300 million research facility. The research center, to be funded by public and private money, would help companies that specialize in fiber optics, laser and fuel cells develop new products. Xerox, Kodak and Corning Inc. have pledged $45 million to the project. Other partners in the project include the Rochester Institute of Technology and the University of Rochester. Rick Jarman, coordinator of the project, estimates that offshoots of the center's research could create 5,000 new jobs over 10 years. (4/12, 4/19)
Gates-- Reinhart Enterprises, a Batavia based developer has purchased Gates Business Park from Lend Lease Real Estate Investments Inc. for $6.1 million. Lend Lease acquired the 148,000 sq.ft. park after foreclosing on the previous owner, GBP Properties Inc., a company owned by developer Al Spaziano. Gates Business Park, located on Bermar Park is approximately 80% occupied. (5/31)
Henrietta-- The town has agreed to sell off a 15.7-acre plot of land surrounding the town's now defunct sewage treatment plan on Karenlee Drive to JSR Ultrasonics, a local research and engineering firm for $190,000. The town will demolish the defunct treatment facility and JSR Ultrasonics, which currently rents space in Pittsford will build a 12,000 to 15,000 sq.ft. headquarters facility on the land. According to town officials, the $190,000 would be set aside for farmland preservation. (6/19)
Henrietta-- Paychex Inc. agreed to purchase the facility at 1175 John Street from Corning Inc. The building is 222,000 sq.ft. and is located on 38 acres just west of Interstate 390 and north of exit 46 on the New York State Thruway. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The Paychex employees moving to the newly purchased facility will vacate 160,000 sq.ft. of space at other Paychex facilities, the largest of them in Irondequoit and Perinton. Paychex plans to move about 1,000 to 1,800 Rochester area employees to the plant. Paychex hopes to begin moving employees into the building by November 1st. (6/3, 6/6)
Henrietta-- Wright-Wisner Distributing Corp. is undergoing a $1.8 million expansion to handle the High Falls Brewing Co. LLC distribution business. Wright-Wisner also is adding 16 employees to its local staff of 105 and expanding its facilities by approximately 40,000 sq.ft. The expansion includes office and warehouse space. The distributor signed a letter of intent to buy the rights to distribute in Monroe County from the Rochester brewery. (5/3)
Henrietta-- Tim Hortons, the Canadian-based coffee, donut and sandwich chain has recently purchased the coffee roasting plant at 60 Mushroom Boulevard. The former Sara Lee Corp. site closed a year ago due to consolidation of staff and operations. The new coffee-roasting plant will supply roasted coffee to all Tim Hortons restaurants in the country. The plant, which is named Maidstone, has 25 employees and the company plans to hire another 20 by year's end. (5/24, 5/29)
Perinton-- The town has acquired a one-story, 22,000 sq.ft. masonry & steel building at 50 Cobb's Lane at a mortgage foreclosure. The town will pay $775,000 for the vacant manufacturing building formerly owned by Trimatek Inc. According to Supervisor Jim Smith, $700,000 of the money is coming out of last year's fund balance, while the remainder will come from mortgage tax receipts for this year. The 5.6 acre property is near two buildings that house the town Sewer Department and Highway Department. Which town department gets to use the building is still undecided. (6/17, 6/20)
Perinton-- Caldwell Corp. plans to move in September into a new 30,000 sq.ft. facility to accommodate its planned 55% growth in employment in 2002. The custom decorator of glass and ceramic has 27 employees and plans to add at least 15 more this year. At a cost of roughly $1.5 million, the new facility is five times bigger than its current building some 400 yards away on Macedon Center Road. (5/24)
Rochester-- Vaccinex Inc. has completed renovations of its new headquarters at 1895 Mt. Hope Ave. The local company bought the former H.J. Meyers & Co. Inc. headquarters last May. The 33,000 sq.ft. facility houses 30 staffers, with room for up to 100. Renovations included adding three research laboratories, sophisticated software systems, ergonomically designed work stations and collaborative work areas. (5/14)
Romulus-- Approximately 300 new jobs will be created as a result of a new partnership between the Advantage Group, a Romulus-based warehousing and distribution company, and eBay Inc., the on-line auction site. Advantage, located at the former Seneca Army Depot is expected to provide warehousing space and distribution services to eBay. The partnership is expected to increase the depot's total number of employees to 1,200. (4/5)
Webster-- Excel PLC is setting up operations at Xerox's Building 214 at 800 Phillips Road to handle supply chain management for Xerox Corporation. Excel, a freight, warehousing and distribution company based near London, is installing $8 million to $9 million worth of equipment at the site. Excel has also applied for Empire Zone status to receive tax and utility breaks based on the company bringing in jobs and that the site is its first in the Upstate New York region. (6/14)
RESIDENTIAL
Canandaigua-- Kravetz Realty Inc. has purchased Fingerlakes Manor Apartments from Home Properties for $7.9 million. The 155-apartment community consists of 11 buildings on 12 acres with a mix of one and two bedroom units renting for $600 to $910 a unit. Fingerlakes Manor is the 16th property the Pittsford-based firm manages. Kravetz has a portfolio of 1.4 million sq.ft. of residential and commercial property locally. (4/19)
Chili-- The Town Board has approved rezoning a 430-acre site for construction of a 27-hole golf course and approximately 200 houses adjacent to Black Creek. Ballantyne Development LLC was seeking to rezone properties on Archer, Paul and Ballantyne roads from residential single-family, light-industrial and agricultural conservation zoning districts to a planned residential zoning district. Plans for the proposed Black Creek Golf Club include 1,600 to 1,800 sq.ft. town/patio homes starting at $150,000. The project could be built without the zoning change, but the change could simplify the approval process as the project moves to the Planning Board for consideration. (5/19)
Clarkson-- Rural Opportunities, a nonprofit agency has received the necessary town approvals to begin construction on Phase 2 of Seldon Square, an apartment complex for moderate to low income families. The 36-unit section will cost approximately $2.5 million and take about 10 months to complete. The town rezoned the site from commercial to residential to allow for Phase 2 and also gave Rural Opportunities some property tax relief. Phase 2 will be built behind the existing four-building complex. Phase 2 layout contains four buildings with 10 units each in two buildings, 12 units in one building, and four units in the fourth building. There will be space for tenant storage and a maintenance garage. The apartments are targeted for families of four that earn between $26,450 and $31,740. The monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment would be between $475 and $538. Sunset Center Drive will be extended about 400 feet to connect the two phases. (4/18)
Clifton Springs-- The Zoning Board of Appeals has granted Clifton Park Associates, LLC a special-use variance to proceed with the next phase of its building plan. Clifton Park Associates, owners of Ashton Place, an assisted living community for seniors which opened off Kendall Street in late 1998, plans to construct additional duplexes across from the two-story apartment building. Ashton Springs still needs final concept drawing approval by the Ontario County Planning Board. The village Planning Board will then set any final regulations based on the county's recommendations. Cayer Builders has been selected to build the patio homes. (4/16)
East Rochester-- The Village Board has approved the concept plan to build 80 townhouses and 14 single-family homes on an 18-acre property behind Wegmans Plaza adjacent to Marsh and Fairport roads. Nine Associates, a Fairport Developer, will now have to obtain preliminary site plan approval before construction can start. In addition to residences, the project also calls for commercial construction of three acres of land, to be built where the village's former water plant stands. Nine Associates plans to buy approximately 31 feet of vacant land from resident Hal Kemp to widen an existing road to 50 feet for an entryway to the development. The drive would connect to Fairport road. Single-family homes would range in size from 1,300 to 2,000 sq.ft. and sell for between $130,000 and $200,000. Townhouses would be either one or two stories and vary between approximately 1,100 to 1,600 sq.ft. They are expected to sell for between $110,000 and $160,000. Residences would be owner-occupied and the owners would belong to a homeowners' association. The association would pay for services to maintain the property including lawn cutting, landscaping and snow removal. (6/9, 6/18)
Farmington-- Developers of two proposed low-cost apartments for seniors still need to obtain government funding and town approval before construction can begin. The larger of the two projects, a 50-unit, two story complex would be built by Rochester Cornerstone Group and Providence Housing Development Corporation on 5.8 acres on the west side of Route 332 just south of its intersection with County Road 41. Called Hogan Meadows, it would accommodate those 55 and older with incomes between $14,000 and $21,000. Monthly rents would range from $357 to $497, including heat and could not be increased without state approval. Residents would pay for electricity, telephone service and cable. Another Rochester-based firm, the non-profit Housing Opportunities Inc., would build a 24-unit apartment building for seniors with incomes under $19,500 on the east side of Elizabeth Way on eight acres owned by Victor businessman Primo DeFelice. Rents for the Elizabeth Way apartments would depend upon the tenant's income. The projects need a federal grant from federal Department of Housing and Urban Development and permanent federal rent subsidies. Developers of both projects will seek to negotiate PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreements with the town. (6/17)
Greece-- Masi Enterprises Inc. of Greece has proposed building 30 luxury homes on 21.9 acres of land at 2825 and 2839 Ridgeway Avenue. The development's homes would cost $400,000 to $800,000 and be known as The Woods at Canal Path. The proposal would require that an 80-foot swath of trees be cut down to make way for a road into the development. The parcel is already zoned residential and includes all of the old Fuch's estate (deeded to the Park Ridge Foundation) plus other lands acquired off Ridgeway Avenue. A spokesperson for Unity Heath System, which runs Park Ridge, stated the foundation sought to sell the property because it wasn't suited for any hospital use. (6/13, 6/20)
Greece-- Holiday Retirement Services Inc. wants to build a two-story, 115 unit facility for senior citizens on a 7.85-acre parcel of land at 710 Latta Road which houses the historic 110-year-old Yates-Thayer mansion, a barn and tenant house. The facility would have seniors living in suite-style rooms with meals, transportation and housekeeping provided. In order for the proposal to move forward, the town board needs to approve rezoning the parcel from single-family residential to multiple-family residential-senior citizens. The property, although considered historically significant, is not listed on the town, state or national register. (6/25)
Henrietta-- Konar Properties plans to build a $16 million upscale apartment and townhouse complex on a 75-acre site near West Henrietta Road and Erie Station Road. The initial phase of the development calls for 200 units, including a significant portion of two-bedroom townhouses. The units are expected to rent for between $800 to $1,200 a month. The site work is expect to cost upwards of $2 million and units will average $70,000. In addition to the acreage set aside for the housing development, Konar Properties has another 170 acres available for development at the site. The company plans to sell off parcels or build and lease facilities. A future phase could include commercial space, such as a convenience store and day-care center. The new housing development would be adjacent to the Erie Station Business Park which Konar Properties started developing in 1999. The park has a 30,000 sq.ft. office building, two buildings owned and occupied by ADT Security Services Inc. and a 60,000 sq.ft. warehouse finished a year ago. (5/24)
Penfield-- Heritage Christian Home is planning to build a group home for six people at the corner of Five Mile Line and Whalen roads. The front of the 3,800 sq.ft. ranch home will be on Whalen Road, although the address is listed at 1957 Five Mile Line Road. The five-acre property belongs to the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation. Heritage Christian Home will build on a little bit more than an acre, and lease the property from the church for 50 years. An existing house at the corner will remain standing until a decision is made whether to demolish it. The group home will be a newly constructed home on the same parcel of land. The house will be single-story with a two-car garage and will cost more than $200,000. (6/18)
Penfield-- The town has approved a special-use permit for a new senior living facility to be run jointly by Fairport Baptist Home and Family Services of Rochester. The project will provide 61 apartment units geared toward enriched care of the elderly. The apartments will be located north of the Baptist Home on Nine Mile Point Road and will cost between $2,000 and $2,300 a month. (4/4)
Rochester-- The former Downtown Motor Lodge, boarded up for the past five years, was sold to Flower City Management, a local development company. The Downtown Motor Lodge is located at the northern tip of the South Wedge on South Avenue near the Inner Loop. Development plans are not set, but according to the city's commissioner of economic development, they will probably include construction of market-rate apartments as well as space for commercial tenants. City officials closed the 105-room hotel in 1997 after receiving 1,200 calls to police the year before. (3/29)
Victor-- Fairport Developer Piero Forgensi wants to build 12 homes on 40 acres of land bordering Valentown Road on the west side of County Road 9. The development would include 20 acres of undeveloped land between the homes and the county road. The project, called Hawk Haven, would be adjacent to the Falcon's Nest subdivision that recently received final approval from the Planning Board. The project conforms to the town's density plan that calls for no more than one home on every three acres in the outlying parts of town. The Hawk Haven homes would include 3,000 sq.ft. of space and be of contemporary design. The cost of the homes would start at $350,000. (4/2)
OTHER
Farmington-- Auto Solutions, currently at 6499 Route 96 in Victor, plans to relocate 1 mile east at the former True Value Hardware store at 6215 Route 96, at the intersection with Mertensia Road. Dealership owner, Peter Haidt plans to buy the 2-acre parcel at his new location. According to the Farmington assessors, the land, owned by Bloomfield contractor Frank Marianacci, is assessed at $621,800. The Planning Board granted approval for 30 cars to be displayed at the site until a new site plan is presented. Haidt plans to put in sidewalks along Route 96 in front of the location and will make the site handicap-accessible. (4/7)
Gates-- The Planning Board has approved construction of the 10,000 sq.ft. YMCA child care facility to be located at Elmgrove Crossings, an industrial/office complex on Elmgrove Road. The new YMCA will provide separate recreation space and educational programs for 50 to 60 children ages 5 years and younger. Gates-Chili YMCA's current location at 40 Bermar Park, off Buffalo Road, will close once the new location opens. (4/25)
Greece-- The Zoning Board has approved a request for a special-use permit by Steven Bauman for a gas station and convenience store at 690 Manitou Road. Bauman will be allowed to build and run a 3,300 sq.ft. store and Citgo gas station at the corner of Manitou and Frisbee Hill roads. The board has agreed to let him construct an overhead canopy up to 2,100 sq.ft. In addition, the Zoning Board has requested that Bauman has to address cleanup of contamination at the site. (6/6)
Greece-- The town wants to build an approximately $5.1 million community center, $2 million of which would come from Eastman Kodak Co. as part of a settlement for lower property assessments. There are no final decisions on where the 35,000 sq.ft. community center would be located. However, town officials are considering the town hall's 36-acre parcel off Long Pond Road where the town's other new buildings are already located. The town currently spends $145,000 a year to lease the current community center space at Chesterton Road from Christa Construction. The lease for that building is up on May 31, 2004. (5/2)
Henrietta-- The town has signed a temporary rent agreement with the landlord of the former FunQuest family entertainment facility at 1180 Jefferson Road. The temporary agreement will allow the town to continue its Recreation Department programs in the facility on a month-by-month basis until a more permanent deal can be negated. Under the new agreement, the town will pay the building's owner, the GC Acquisition Corp., $6,066 for use of the facility until May 31. After that, the town would pay $3,500 per month. The town will also pay insurance costs for the building for the length of their occupancy. (4/24)
Hopewell-- Becker Lincoln/Mercury will relocate in what was formerly Moving Wheels at 4155 Routes 5 and 20, less than a mile east of the Canandaigua town line. The building will undergo an extensive renovation and be ready for operations by the end of August. The former Becker Motors relocated to owner Pfeffer's other car sales business at 21 Parrish Street earlier this spring after Tops purchased his property at the corner of North Street and Route 332 for $2.95 million. (6/14)
Macedon-- A special-use permit was granted to Spinners' owner Kevin Judge for a 50,000 sq.ft. permanent outdoor extreme skate park on the west side of the property located at 280 Route 31. The facility is located in an area zoned for recreation. The Planning Board required that Judge landscape the property north and south of the skate park and a pedestrian walkway be designated with stop signs and striping on a private road on the property. In addition, an outbuilding at the entrance of the skate park will have an attendant for check-in and control and all lights will be turned off at closing. The new permanent facility will be open year-round as weather permits and will have separate areas for skateboarding, trick bikes and roller blades. (6/17)
Palmyra-- A group of Utah developers plan to build a nearly $3 million motel along Route 21, north of Temple Road. Preliminary plans call for a 40-unit, two-story structure that is "concurrent" with the architectural style of the area. The plans include an open atrium and a swimming pool. The property is adjacent to the new Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints chapel on Temple Road. The town's preliminary master plan identifies the Route 21 south corridor as a logical place for non-residential development since Thruway Exit 43 is nearby. (6/15, 6/25)
Penfield-- The YMCA of Greater Rochester bought 51 acres on Fairport Nine Mile Point Road, south of Sweets Corners Road last August with the intent of building a 60,000 sq.ft. building with a pool, pool viewing area and other amenities. The YMCA hopes to have the new facility, its first suburban facility built in more than 30 years, completed by late 2005. The building process would take about 18 months, and the YMCA hopes to begin construction no later than 18 months from now. The total cost of the project is expected to be about $6 million to $8 million. (6/6)
Pittsford-- An improved Irondequoit Country Club will officially reopen on May 5 on East Avenue, marking the completion of its new capital improvement plan. A $1.5 million reconstruction of the golf course offers a pond expansion, restored bunkers, a new maintenance building and on-course restrooms. (4/24)
Victor-- The First Presbyterian Church held a ground-breaking ceremony on its 3,800 sq.ft. expansion, which will add offices, Christian educational facilities and meeting rooms. In addition to the expansion, the building will be made wheelchair accessible by installing an elevator and two bathrooms on the second floor. A building campaign raised $170,000 toward the $500,000 project. The Synod of the Northeast loaned the church $50,000. The church is located in the center of the village and has about 300 members. (5/15)
Victor-- Ravenwood, a new upscale public golf course has opened for business at 929 Lynaugh Road on a tract of land adjacent to New York State Thruway. In addition to its 18-hole layout, Ravenwood Golf Club has a large driving range with seven target greens. The clubhouse amenities include a grill room with light menu, men's and women's locker rooms with showers and a Pro shop stocked with equipment and apparel. (5/12)
GENERAL
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)
