3rd Quarter 2002
ECONOMIC & BUSINESS
Eastman Kodak Company-- The lawsuit over a $30 million loan dispute between Kodak and Wachovia Bank, N.A. has been transferred by the Virginia bank from a Monroe County State Supreme Court to U.S. District Court in Rochester. Kodak sued the bank over loans Kodak made to Wolf Camera Inc., a Georgia-based photo supplies dealer. (8/21)
Eastman Kodak & Xerox-- Both companies are included in the Fortune magazine's list of best places for minorities to work, according to reports. Xerox ranks 14th and Kodak, 43rd out of 50. While making the ranks for employing minorities, ironically, both companies are also facing a number of federal discrimination lawsuits. (8/02)
Xerox-- The company announced a $93 million or 12 cents a share profit for the three months ended June 30 - its first profit in five quarters - despite declining sales. The company also expects all of 2002 to be profitable. Profit in the second half of the year will be 9 cents to 13 cents per share, Chairman and CEO Anne M. Mulcahy said. One of the ways the company has cut costs is by cutting employment-eliminating 2,200 jobs worldwide in the second quarter, bringing employment in Monroe County to 10,300-the lowest level since 1969. Sales fell to $3.95 billion, compared with $4.28 billion in the same period a year ago. (7/02)
Xerox-- The company corrected its financial reports for 2001 twice in one day, saying it misallocated $16 million in 2001 interest expenses. Adjusting this mistake increased the company's net income for the first quarter of 2001 by $5 million. (8/02)
Paychex-- Paychex announced net income of $75.9 million or 20 cents diluted earnings per share for the quarter ended August 31, 2002, and 8% incarease over net income of $70.2 million or 19 cents diluted earnings per share for the same period last year. (7/02)
Paychex-- Paychex Inc. will pay a regular quarterly dividend of 11 cents a share on August 15 to stockholders of record on August 1. (7/02)
Paychex-- The payroll company announced in its quarterly report it has entered into an agreement to acquire Advantage Payroll Services, Inc. The purchase price will total about $240 million in cash and Paychex will expend about $75 million in cash for the redemption of preferred stock and the repayment of outstanding loan agreements. Thomas Golisano, president and CEO reported the merger with Advantage will provide the company with 49,000 new clients and to expand the company's geographic coverage into areas previously not served by Paychex. Advantage is expected to contribute approximately $75 million in revenue over the next 12 months to the fiscal year ended May 31, 2003. (7/02)
Bausch & Lomb Inc.-- The company announced second quarter net earnings of $21.8 million and earnings per share of 40 cents, compared to prior year reported earnings of $6.8 million or 13 cents per share. They also reflect new rules for accounting for goodwill amortization. (7/02)
Empire Zone-- The state has approved revisions to the City of Rochester's Empire Zone that could create 4,200 jobs and attract $166.7 million in new investment. (7/11)
Area Home Sales-- Sales of existing single-family houses were up 5.3 percent from July 2001 and 25.8 percent from June, according to the Realtors Association. CEO John Piper states the opportunities for consumers are the best since the 1960s. The median sale price reached $107,500 in July, up 2.4 percent from a year ago. The average median price for the year is $94,000. (8/7)
Area Bankruptcy Filings-- The Western District U.S. Bankruptcy Court reports area bankruptcy filings in the first six months of this year are even with 2001. Figures released show filings as of June 30 totaled 2,543, identical to a year ago. (7/12)
Area Job Openings-- As reported by the Rochester Resource Alliance, area job openings dropped 70 percent over the last year. Companies participating in the survey reported 1,444 job openings as of June 1, down from 4,866 last year. More than 43 percent of the openings were in health care and some 18 percent were in manufacturing. (9/6)
Area Unemployment-- The unemployment rate for Monroe County in June was 5.6 percent, up from 4.3 a year ago, according to the NYS Department of Labor's report Employment in New York, published 12 times a year. (9/02)
Area Rents-- Figures from the U.S. Census Bureau show 45.5 percent of renters in the Rochester area spent at least 30 percent of their incomes on rent and utilities in 2000-only five of the nation's 100 largest metropolitan areas did a larger percentage of households spend as much of their income on rent. The Census Bureau also reported Rochester is the 40th most expensive city to live in, again among the nation's 100 largest metropolitan areas. (8/02)
Canandaigua-- First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. is planning to merge with Savings Bank of the Finger Lakes next year in a deal worth $67 million. According to a press release on June 30, for each outstanding share of Finger Lakes Bancorp Inc., a holding company for the Savings Bank, the Lockport-based bank will pay $20. The purchase price reflects 171 percent of book value, the press release said. Some management support and administrative positions at Finger Lakes will be eliminated, however severance and opportunities to post for positions with First Niagara will be offered. The acquisition is expected to finalize in the first quarter of 2003. (7/02)
Rochester-- Arthur Andersen LLP, one of the areas top accounting firms, has closed its doors and disconnected their telephones according to reports. Former audit and tax partners, Stanley Konopko and Thomas Bruckel respectively have joined Pricewaterhouse Cooper LLC, taking with them two dozen former Andersen audit and tax staffers. (7/12)
OFFICE
Rochester-- Gates Business Park has been sold to Reinhart Enterprises, Inc. for total consideration of $6.075 million, according to representatives of CB Richard Ellis. The sale includes an eight building portfolio totaling 148,000 rentable sq.ft.. The park is located on Bermar Park in the southwest quadrant of the Rochester market and offers access to the I-490 expressway at Buffalo Road. (7/15)
RETAIL
Greece-- CEC Entertainment Inc, the company that owns Chuck E. Cheese's restaurants wants to build a new a restaurant at 3160 W. Ridge Road in the Greece Park Mall. The proposed 11,316 square-foot restaurant will be located in front of Lowe's, to the right of the plaza's entrance. Gary Tajkowski, Greece's director of development services indicates CEC will again lease the building from Dale Scutti, property owner. Before construction can begin, CEC Entertainment will need two zoning variances and a special permit granted by the Town Board. A hearing on the special permit will be held August 20. (7/02)
Greece-- The Mall at Greece Ridge Center is filling vacancies with more non-traditional mall stores, one of which is discounter Marshalls, moving from Greece Park mall in November. Greece Ridge, the areas largest mall with more than 1.5 million sq.ft. of leasible space is now 87 percent leased - on par with industry averages - compared to its 74 percent rate in 2001, and has leased 100,000 sq.ft. of retail space within the past year, according to regional director of leasing at Wilmorite Property Management, LLC, Dennis Wilmot. (8/14)
Henrietta-- The nation's largest retailer, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. plans to turn its Marketplace Drive store -the third in the Rochester area - into a Supercenter and expand the adjacent Sam's Club, including a 16-pump gas station. Detailed plans have been filed with the town, according to Supervisor Jim Breese. The proposed upgrades would include a 26,501 sq.ft. addition to 110,120 square-foot Sam's Club facility and 85,221 sq.ft. addition to its 118,170 sq.ft. Wal-Mart store. Jim Breese has reservations about the effect enlarged stores would have on traffic but cautioned blocking the upgrade would not be simple as they are already in commercially zoned areas. Supercenters typically range from 100,000 to 200,000 sq.ft.. The planned Marketplace Drive supercenter would fall at the upper limit in size, adding an additional 85,000 sq.ft. to the already existing 118,000 sq.ft. totaling a super size of 203,000 sq.ft., said Henrietta engineer Mark Byrne. The supercenter will house merchandise calculated to satisfy virtually every consumer need and will employ some 500 workers. The town board is slated to consider the expansion plan later this month. (8/28, 9/6)
Henrietta-- Wegmans Food Markets Inc. withdrew its 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 included a proposed 75,000 sq.ft. of additional commercial space. The application was rescinded via letter from Ralph A. Uttaro, Wegman's senior vice president of real estate and development which town Supervisor, Jim Breese received a day before the meeting, stating it became clear at least three of five Zoning Board members would vote against the rezoning. Officials from the Monroe County Fair and Recreation Association are disappointed, said Fran Tepper, director of the association, as the sale of land would have given them funds to build a real community center. (8/21, 8/28)
Macedon-- Ames, the nation's fourth largest retail chain, announced it would close all 327 stores - including 10 in the Rochester area. Ames, employing about 22,000 nationwide, employs 231 full-time and 285 part-time workers in Western New York. The closing hits the Wayne County community especially hard because it's the only discount store in town, employing 52 full and part-time workers. (8/15)
Macedon-- CVS Pharmacy has begun negotiations to buy four parcels at the northeast corner of Route 31 and Canandaigua Road, across from its current Cedar Commons site, contingent upon rezoning. The proposed site will house a 10,055 square-foot CVS store and include a second building no larger than 4,000 square-feet, most likely for a bank with drive-thru service. Currently, the parcels are zoned residential. The Planning Board would ask for several changes to the plan, depending on the outcome of the traffic study and Town engineer, Scott Allen said the project would need variances from rules regarding green space for parking and setbacks among other items. (9/16)
Pittsford-- The new Tastings restaurant, adjoined to the Wegmans store in Pittsford Plaza opens for dinners and will serve lunches beginning in October. The most prominent feature of the restaurant, aside from having a 120,000 square-foot pantry next door, is the open kitchen where patrons can interact with the chefs, ask for recipes and see how the food is made. Curiosity has been high and with a separate entrance and china on the tables, its hard to confuse this eatery for the grocery store that accompanies it. ((8/14)
Rochester-- Wal-Mart opens its second supercenter store at 1490 Hudson Ave. The 204,000 sq.ft. megastore is host to a McDonalds restaurant, hair and nail salons, an optical shop and a portrait studio. Wegmans and Tops grocery stores view the megastore as competition but spokespeople from both stores say they will continue to excel in customer service while offering fair and consistent prices. (7/02)
Rochester-- Wegmans Food Markets Inc. has purchased the M&T Building at 1820 East Ave for $2.1 million, according to First Realty Co. who announced the sale on August 15. The 40,000 sq.ft. site sits 800 feet from a Wegmans grocery store. (8/23)
Victor-- If the plan is approved, Eastview Mall will be undergoing expansions and renovations to include the areas first Nordstrom department store, 36 new stores totaling 70,195 sq.ft. of leasible space, 7,314 new parking spaces and a new entrance facing Route 96, according to Thomas Wilmot of Wilmorite Inc. To facilitate the $1 million project, Geneva has agreed to extend their Empire Zone to include the mall. Empire Zones allow companies to grow virtually tax-free for 10 years in exchange for job creation. A proposal on file with Geneva estimates the project will create about 450 jobs. The mall in return, will give Geneva $150,000 annually for 10 years to support the city's Tourism Development Program. Approvals are still needed from the Town of Victor and Empire State Development Corp. The proposal will be reviewed by Ontario County Planning Board in August. (7/17)
Victor-- Widewaters Group, a Syracuse-based developer, plans to submit formal applications for a proposed 6,800 sq.ft. TGI Friday's restaurant with 152 parking spaces and a 3,470 sq.ft. International House of Pancakes on the Hampton Inn and Suites site on Route 96. Widewaters initially proposed an Outback Steakhouse for this site last year, which ended in a legal battle with the town. The town was ordered last year by Ontario County Judge James R. Harvey to grant variances to allow for the TGI Fridays to be built 73 feet from Route 95 and the parking lot 70 feet from the road because he believes it is smaller than the steakhouse. Town zoning laws stipulate that restaurants and parking lots be 80 from Route 96. An informal discussion with the Planning Board is planned. (8/11)
INDUSTRIAL
Fishers-- Gorbel Inc., a company that makes lifting cranes used in factories, will be moving from Montour Falls to a new 40,000 sq.ft. addition to its Fishers headquarters in mid-September. Employees were offered transfers but most decided to stay in Schuyler county. As a result, a job fair was held to fill approximately 35 positions. The family-owned company already employs 100 people in Fishers and although times are tough for the industry, Gorbel representatives state their sales were up a little this year over 2001 and their goal is to increase sales 15 percent annually starting in 2003. (8/02)
Greece-- Genecor International Inc., founded in Rochester in 1982, plans to build a plant to manufacture therapeutic protein-based drugs. The plans include two, 20,000 sq.ft. buildings at its 1720 Lexington Ave site in Greece in the next five yeas. Cost for the project is estimated to be $50 million. Upon completion, the project would create upward of 100 jobs. Monroe County Legislature approved Empire Zone status for the property. The company is also eligible for a grant of $550,000 from Empire State Development Corp that would be used for training. Construction on the first building will begin later this year with an expected completion within 24 months. If Genecor moves into full production of therapeutic protein, they would build a commercial manufacturing facility that would call for some 500 jobs. (7/11)
Honeoye Falls-- GM opened a new 64,000 sq.ft. plant at its Honeoye Falls research center to help the company become the first to build and sell more than 1 million fuel cell vehicles, officials said. The facility is the key step to realizing fuel cells and hydrogen are as common place as petroleum is today. It is the company's hopes the fuel cell technology will also generate electricity for homes and businesses in the future. The plant is expected to generate 100 additional research and engineering jobs. (7/02)
Pittsford-- VirtualScopics LLC founded at the University of Rochester and the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer formed a partnership, the companies announced. Pfizers investment will enable VirtualScopics to further develop its technology and expand operations, company officals report. Pfizer will buy a stake in the two year old company and purchase services from them for at least three years. The company now employs 25 staff and expects there will be a need to hire more employees as they grow. (8/02)
Rochester-- Monroe County Executive, Jack Doyle has proposed a plan to sell the Iola Powerhouse on E. Henrietta Rd. and convert it from a steam generation to a co-generation electric plant. The county is considering two options; one, Siemens would buy the Iola plant and own the proposed facility; two, a local development corp would be formed to buy and own the facility. The proposed facility would provide electricity to MCC, the community hospital and the University of Rochester. (9/6)
Victor-- Flightline Electronics, the company that designs and manufactures Sonobuoy telemetry receivers, landed a $2.2 million contract with the U.S. Navy, which involves producing 13 99-channel Sonobuoy receivers over the next year. Flightline also received two state awards from the Amercian Legion this summer and moved in April from County Road 42 to their new home in the Omnitech Industrial Park. In business for more than 30 years, Flightline was acquired by a British company in 1997 and is now known as Ultra Electronics Flightline Sytems. (9/16)
Victor-- REDCOM Laboratories, located near the intersection of Main Street and Route 96, has been awarded its largest contract ever with the U.S. Department of Defense, totaling just over $76 million. The contract involves supplying a voice portion of a program for use by the U.S. Air Force for state-of-the-art ground communications. A portion of the contract, $22 million, is to be completed in September. REDCOM designs and manufactures digital telecommunication systems and employs 150-200 staff. (7/02)
Victor-- SwiftLift, owned by Peter Swift plans to move into a new 8,000 sq.ft. building at 820 Phillips Road by November. The new building will be constructed by and leased from Christa Development of Victor. SwiftLift sells, leases and services Toyota-made forklifts and also leases 13,000 sq.ft. of service and storage space on Wangum Road. (8/13)
RESIDENTIAL
East Rochester-- Developer, Nine Associates LP presented the Town-Village Board with a conceptual plan for a development with 80 townhouses and 14 single-family homes on 18 acres of town property located behind Country Club Plaza, off Fairport Road that was previously used as well fields. The proposal also includes a 12,000 sq.ft. commercial building on Fairport Road. The townhouses ranging in size from 1,000 to 1,600 sq.ft. will range in price from $120,000 - $1155,000, while the 1,300 - 2,000 sq.ft. single family homes will range in price from $140,000 - $175,000. If the Town-Village Board approves the concept, Nine Associates will have at least a years worth of approvals to seek and complete a state-mandated environmental impact review and traffic study. If all approvals are granted, the developer will buy the land for $325,000. (6/9)
Fairport-- Conversion of the Crossman Building in downtown Fairport into an affordable senior housing complex is on track to being completed by Thanksgiving, according to developers and Village Administrator, Ken Moore. The complex will house 21 apartments and is nearly half complete, according to Baldwin CEO Bill Durdle. The Crossman Building, which used to be a school was also used as a home to Perinton recreation programs. The building sat unused for six years until the transfer of ownership to Baldwin Real Estate in March in exchange for $50,000 and the promise it would be used to provide affordable senior housing. (7/18)
Gates-- The Town Board approved a zoning change from single family to multi-family for the 10.4 acre parcel of land on the south side of Lyell Road, west of Elmgrove Road, for the proposed Elmgrove Place affordable housing project. The project is designed for families with incomes ranging from $18,000 - $30,000 and would include a community and administrative building. A quarter of the townhouses would be two-bedroom units and the remainder would be three-bedroom units. Housing Opportunities Inc.will begin work on Elmgrove Place in 2003, pending additional funding for the project. They have already received $6 million according to Allen Handelman, development specialist for the nonprofit company. Site plan approval is required from the Planning Board. (7/4)
Greece-- The Town Board could be close to deciding whether or not to rezone 710 Latta Road, the parcel of land an Oregon firm is eyeing for a senior-living facility. The 100-year old historic Yates-Thayer mansion is located on this property and has caused concern with neighbors and the Greece Historical Society. The historical society had expresssed an interest in having the property as a whole, including the barn and tenant house, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A spokesman for the Curry Brandaw architectural firm indicated Holiday Retirement of Oregon would be willing to incorporate the mansion into its plans but also indicated the plan did not include the barn or tenant house. (8/02)
Penfield-- Baywinde Senior Living Community, an $18 million project, has opened. The campus-style complex on Kidd Castle Way off Bay Road near the Webster town line includes 14 patio apartments, 78 assisted-living apartments and 22 of the latter are reserved for Alzehimers patients. The apartments rent anywhere from $1,395 to $2,195, a price that includes meals, laundry service and other amenities. Public officials have praised the project indicating the project as an investment in the community. About 70 people are employed at Baywinde. (7/02)
Rochester-- Ground was broken on the $2.75 million Gibbs Street townhouse project and the first of the units could be ready for occupancy by late winter, early spring. At a starting price of $275,000, buyers have already placed deposits on four townhouses designed by Macon Chaintreull. ((8/02)
Rochester-- Richard Chiarenza purchased Hale Manor apartments at 1045 Lake Ave for $830,000. He plans to spend more than $300,000 to renovate the apartments as they turn over -adding new carpet, boilers, appliances and new roofs. With these changes and renovations being made, rents will increase as well; one-bedrooms for $460 and two-bedrooms for $525-both up $80 per month from their current rates. Another change the second-time owner of this property will make is the name, which is now Summit Manor. (8/20)
Rochester-- City Council's Housing and Community Development Committee approved the city's $550,000 purchase of the former office building and warehouse on Charlotte Street, behind Chevy Place, to make way for a housing development. The total cost for the acquisition, demolition and cleanup could reach $790,000. By promoting the construction of about 49 residential units on the site, the city stands to earn a substantial return in property taxes, according to Thomas Argust. The city received three bids from developers to transform the site into market rate housing, officials said. (8/23)
Rush-- The town Planning Board unanimously recommended against rezoning the 27 acres of property at Routes 251 and 15; property Rush Associates LLC proposed for a strip mall and 144-unit senior housing complex. The Board's decision was based on lack of clearly defined plans and not providing access to the site from Route 251. Some board members and residents are speculating this new plan is not sincere and to be a ploy - if the retail stores do not make it, they fear expansion of the Dorschel car dealship will move in. Richard Dorschel is owner of the car dealership which was originally proposed for this property. He is also a principal of Rush Associates LLC. Before the board votes on the rezoning request, an environmental impact survey must be done. No dates have been set. (7/31, 8/15, 9/4)
OTHER
Brighton-- The Jewish Home of Rochester plans to add two six-story towers at its Brighton nursing home facility. An estimated cost of the project is $18 million. The 362-bed home is near capacity but the expansion project would add 34,000 sq.ft. to the facility's existing 198,205 sq.f.t. This would be the first renovation for the 17 year old building and double the size of the dining and activity areas. The project is expected to take 24 to 36 months and would be funded through various loans, donations and reserved funds. Fall approval from the state is expected. (8/02)
Canandaigua-- William and Tracey Pellicano of Malvern, Pa have purchased the Thendara Inn & Restaurant and several surrounding acres for $1.2 million, according to a deed filed with the Ontario County Clerk's Office. Staff have been advised the restaurant will operate under current management until September 30. It is unclear whether the upscale Thendara or its casual-dining adjunct, the Boathouse, will continue as eateries and whether the inn will take guest, as the Pellicano's have not yet applied to change the property's commercial zoning, Gorham town zoning officials say. (8/30)
Canandaigua-- F.F. Thompson Hospital has proposed $35 million in renovations to expand its emergency and radiology departments. The plan still requires approval from the state Health Department. They plan to demolish an office building for expansion of the emergency, ambulatory and nutritional services. They also requested to add 11 emergency beds to the 11 they currently have. The project would add 60,000 sq.ft. to the complex's 500,000 sq.ft.. Thompson operates a 113-bed hospital and a 188-bed nursing home. A capital campaign is planned to raise $10 million toward the project with the rest of the money coming from the sale bonds. Approval ifrom the state is expected this fall. (8/02)
Caledonia-- Commodity Resource Corp. has proposed a $14 million project to develop a 97,000 sq.ft. distribution center on Route 5 as a means for area farmers to purchase feed and fertilizer. The company has spent years developing their plan and in recent months, the project has gained support. Most recently, Livingston County Board of Supervisors approved applying for $331,000 from the state's Small Cities Community Development Block Grant program. Additionally, the project has secured 2 grants by the state DOT totaling $3million and $9.6 million in loans. Construction is scheduled to being in August and the business would rent space to wholesalers. (7/22)
Greece-- The town will receive $150,000 from the state to redevelop 500 acres of vacant canal-front property, located south of the canal and runs from Long Pond Road to Manitou Road from Kodak. Town officials state GedPro Local Development Corporation is developing plans for the site. According to Gary Tajkowski, town development director, future plans look at developing improved canal paths for walking and cycling a creating a port near Long Pond Rd. for retail, inns or restaurants. Reports state a portion of the parcel could remain zoned industrial and commercial. Planning work is expected to begin in the near future and take several months to complete. (9/5)
Henrietta-- If plans go accordingly, Calkins Corporate Office Park may be the new home of the Pluta Cancer Center, formerly the Genesee Hospital cancer treatment center. The Center's board of directors has applied to the NYS Department of Health to allow for the move. If approved, the center would utilize 24,000 sq.ft. of the first floor at the office park's Health Commons Building and would include administrative offices, radiation and chemotherapy treatment rooms. The center's 27 full-time doctors, nurses, therapists and support staff will make the move as well. If approved, the move could take place as early as next year. Currently, the center is located in the basement of the Genesee hospital. (6/02)
Henrietta-- This fall, work will begin on the new 155,000 sq.ft. sports and activities field house at RIT. Officials anticipate opening of the $25 million sports center to be in 2004. Because the school will be paying the money off over numerous years, the project should have no significant effect on tuition. The center includes plans for a 60,000 sq.ft. indoor athletic/event hall with room for 8,000 spectators. The athletic hall will be adorned by a six-lane running track with facilities for soccer, baseball, lacrosee, tennis and other sports. A pool, hot tub and fitness center will also be new additions to the center. Although essentially for use of RIT student events and faculty, the center may also be rented out for high school or special events, such as the Empire State Games or Special Olympics. (8/14)
Macedon-- Town residents voted 507 to 165 in favor of constructing a new library and town hall at the site of the former complex at 20 Main Street, which was destroyed by fire in April 2001. Since the fire, library and town offices have been housed in rented quarters on Wayneport Road and have become cramped for space. Both buildings to be constructed are 8,000 sq.ft., more than doubling the space in the old complex. The new library will include a 1,200 sq.ft. community room. The new complex will cost about $2.45 million to construct, but only $470,000 will need to be financed for the project as fire insurance covers $1.66 million and $320,000 will come from the library reserves along with a state grant. Construction is anticipated to begin in September. (6/26)
Penfield-- The town received an $815,250 state grant through the Farmland Protection Program and a $112,500 grant from Monroe County Green Space Initiative toward their open space plan. This will leave the town with $200,000 to finish paying for the 210-acre farmland on Gloria Drive. With this funding in place, Brian Anglin community affairs specialist for the town, reported the state will submit the project to the federal government to cover the remaining funds needed. Planning Director, Doug Fox, stated receiving the additional funding will not free up additional money for continued purchase of Open Space under the current bond. According to the state, the Beardsley property is experiencing heavy development pressure and protection of this property is the first of several the town plans to protect. A closing date of 8/15 is set. (7/11)
Penfield-- The town received an $80,000 grant from the state to develop a public park at LeSalle's Landing on the southern shore of Irondequoit Bay. The projects entails site work and landscaping and includes parking, picnic facilities and a 450-foot handicapped accessible boardwalk on the waterfront. Penfield and Irondequoit towns will be working together to revitalize the south end of the bay. (9/5)
Pittsford-- The Town Board approved the $176,341 first phase of the town's sixth park - "King's Bend Park" - named after a section of the old Erie Canal. Cost for the 15-acre project on the north side of Jefferson Road near Clover Street will cost $424,000. $50,000 of that cost was covered by a grant received through state Sen. James Alesi. According to Town Supervisor, Bill Carpenter, the plans call for the park to be more family-oriented, offering 2 pavilions and a large open area for games. The first phase is scheduled to get underway this fall consisting of grading, cleaning out the site and laying foundation for parking lots. The next phase is expected to start next summer and be completed by next fall for opening. (8/28)
Pittsford-- Recent rezoning requests by St. John Fisher College were approved by the Town Board for two parcels on East Avenue. A previous rezoning request was also approved for the Founder's Hall dormitory near the public parking next to Route 490. Upon approval of the detailed plans by the Planning Board, the expansion project would consist of 106 parking spaces next to Botsford Hall and 100 spread out on the campus. Additionally, the school plans to convert a building, known as the Erdle building across East Avenue, into classrooms. Area residents and school neighbors are concerned the classrooms would be used late at night. Legal council representing the school and Supervisor, Bill Carpenter, believe the use of the building will be limited to a particular program and the 16 to 18 student classes will end around 9 p.m. week nights. Construction is projected to begin next year. (8/14)
Rochester-- The city received a $150,000 grant from the state for canal development. This grant will allow for completion of design and engineering documents and bid specifications for the project. Improvement plans include pedestrian access to the west shore of the Genesee River between Latta Road and Petten Street in Charlotte, pedestrian crossings, historic-style lighting, sidewalks and benches, a boardwalk and parking. Completion of this project means that Lake Ave Trail, the Charlotte lighthouse, and the Port of Rochester would be connected. (9/5)
GENERAL
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)
