2nd Quarter 2003
ECONOMIC & BUSINESS
Eastman Kodak Company-- The company's Capture software will be integrated into JP Morgan Chase Bank's I-Vault product, the companies announced. The combined product will help businesses to use Kodak scanners and software to scan documents at high-speed and load the images in the I-Vault archive and retrieval service. (4/6)
Eastman Kodak-- The company's semiannual cash dividend is safe for another six months. Rochester's largest employer, which pays a dividend every six months, declared a payment of 90 cents a share, payable to shareholders of record at the close of business June 2. Kodak's dividend, at closing, provided a return of 5.68 percent (4/16)
Eastman Kodak Company-- The company's credit rating has been placed under review by one major rating service following the company's tepid first-quarter financial results. Fitch Ratings Inc. said that is was placing Kodak's long- and short-term debt on a rating watch negative, primarily because of ongoing economic challenges and continued pressure from digital photography. Kodak's debt is still considered investment grade, but a downgrade could increase borrowing costs. (5/12)
Eastman Kodak Company-- Eastman Kodak is demolishing another Kodak Park building made obsolete by changing business conditions and more modern manufacturing. Demolition of building 58 - once used to finish rolls of motion picture film - has started. Rochester's largest employer has torn down about 50 buildings since 1995. (6/11)
Xerox-- The company announced a first-quarter loss of 10 cents per share, including a previously announced 25 cent-per-share or $183 million after-tax charge related to the Berger v. Retirement Income Guarantee Plan - a case against the company's primary U.S. pension plan for salaried employees. (4/23)
Xerox-- A top executive warned the company's main and Canadian sales force that a small round of further layoffs is likely. The memo was issued a day after the company announced its 12th consecutive quarter of declining sales and was confirmed by officials the total number of layoffs would be less than 260 within the north American Solutions Group. The cuts include roles such as administration, operations and human resources, according to Xerox spokeswoman, Christa Carone. (5/2)
Xerox-- The company announced plans for a $3.1 million refinancing deal to strengthen its balance sheet, including new common stock, mandatory convertible preferred securities, senior unsecured notes and a $1 billion credit line from several banks. As part of the deal, the company will record a $70 million pre-tax charge in the second quarter. Xerox continues to expect second-quarter earnings will be 9 to 12 cents per share. (6/12)
Paychex-- The company announced net income of $71.5 million, or 19 cents diluted earnings per share for the quarter ended February 28, 2003, a 7 percent increase over net income of $67 million or 18 cents diluted earnings per share for the same period last year. Total revenues were $287.8 million, a 19 percent increase over $242.8 million for the third quarter last year. For the nine months ended February 2003, the company reported net income of $222.1 million, or 59 cents diluted earnings per share, an 8 percent increase over $205.9 million, or 54 cents diluted earnings per share for the same period last year. (3/20)
Paychex-- On March 17, 2003 the company announced it entered into an agreement to acquire InterPay Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of FleetBoston Financial Corporation ("Fleet"). The purchase price is $155 million, cash. Interpay is a national payroll and human resource administrative services provider that serves more than 30,000 small - to - medium sized businesses throughout the U.S. The acquisition closed in early April 2003 for $182 million, $27 million more than previously announced. Rochester's payroll and human resource outsourcing company also acquired Advantage Payroll Services in September 2002. (3/20).
Paychex-- Paychex has made offers to acquire two German payroll services firms and were unable to land the deals. This is not stopping Chairman and Chief Executive B. Thomas Golisano who said Paychex might build a new business in Europe from the ground up and, "there's a lot of advantages to doing that". Golisano also said the same model to expand Paychex into a national company would be used in Europe. Paychex spent over $400 million to buy Advantage and InterPay and expects to exceed $1 billion in sales for the first time this year. A European operation would not contribute to the company's bottom line for three to five years. (5/23)
Bausch & Lomb-- The company announced first quarter worldwide sales of $448 million, an increase of $33.8 million or 8 percent over the prior year. A 7 percent benefit from the strengthening of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar augmented underlying fundamental growth in the company's lines of contact lenses, pharmaceuticals and cataract surgery products. Reported net earnings of $16.5 million, or 31 cents per share, an increase of 29 percent over the comparable basis prior-year amount of 24 cents per share. (4/24)
Pay Rates-- As reported by Mercer Human Resource Consulting's 2003 Geographic Salary Differentials Survey, most large upstate NY cities had employees salaries that were above the national average. According to the survey, an average salary of $30,000 would be worth $31,170 in Rochester or 3.9 above the national average and higher than Albany, Syracuse and Buffalo. (4/6)
Area Unemployment-- According to Unemployment in NYS, published 12 times a year, Monroe County's rate remained unchanged at 5.8 percent for the year-to-year statistics, both reported in January. Monroe County reporting the lowest unemployment rates in the report's Finger Lakes area region. In January, NYS's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.3 percent, up in comparison to the nation's rate of 5.7 percent. The economic recovery has yet to reach the factory floors. U.S. manufacturers laid off 95,000 workers in April - the 33rd consecutive month of decline and the largest drop in 15 months. Since July 2000, manufacturing has lost 2.2 million jobs, those being among the highest-skilled, best-paying jobs in our economy. According to a new study from the United States Conference of Mayors, Rochester ranked 19th nationally in jobs lost during 2002, losing 15,600 jobs in 2002 . (4/02, 5/06, 6/14)
Population-- The distant suburbs of NYC account for most of the state's growth, while the state's largest county, Erie, and 15 other upstate counties continue to shrink. You would have thought the suburbs had moved too far out, that people were too far from their jobs. In fact, jobs are moving to the suburbs as fast as people are, according to John Logan, a SUNY Albany demographer. As reported by the Census Bureau, the state gained 73,182 people and had 19,157,532 residents as of July 2002. Here is how the population of Rochester-area counties changed from July 2001 to July 2002, according to the Census Bureau. (4/17)
|
County |
2002 Population |
Growth |
Percentage Change |
|
Genesee |
58,799 |
-168 |
-0.3% |
|
Livingston |
64,824 |
114 |
0.2 |
|
Monroe |
738,422 |
2,207 |
0.3 |
|
Ontario |
101,567 |
669 |
0.7 |
|
Orleans |
43,891 |
-49 |
-0.1 |
|
Seneca |
34,976 |
131
|
0.4 |
|
Steuben |
99,313 |
117 |
0.1 |
|
Wayne |
94,078 |
176 |
0.2 |
|
Wyoming |
43,165 |
95 |
0.2 |
|
Yates |
24,523 |
-2 |
0 |
Area Car Sales-- Car and truck sales in Monroe County dipped 2.7 percent in April, compared with a year ago, according to statistics from the Rochester Automobile Dealers Association Inc. New vehicles - sold at retail - registered by Monroe County dealers fell 3.6 percent to 3.724 compared with April 2002. Used vehicles dipped 1.1 percent to 2,094. (5/19)
Area Tourism-- The Greater Rochester Visitors Association Inc. reported 1.47 million visitors in 2002, up 4.6 percent from 1.41 million visitors in 2001. Total expenditures for visitors amounted to $231 million, up 2.2 percent from $226 million in 2001. (5/19)
BlueTie-- Software developer, BlueTie announced plans to expand its Rochester headquarters, hiring 22 employees by June and an additional 20 by the end of the year, mainly in sales and engineering. The company specializes in e-mail and collaboration sofware for small and medium-size companies and recently moved to Goodway Drive in Henrietta. Currently, the company employs 30 in Rochester and some sales staff in other parts of the country. (4/29)
Energy East-- The company announced that about 245 jobs at RG&E and 260 at NYSEG were eliminated as a result of early retirement programs and layoffs. The energy company expects more job reductions early next year. (5/1)
Kraft Foods Inc.-- A strong 2002 at Kraft Foods in their Avon plant resulted in a 10 percent increase in employment. Kraft, Livingston County's largest private-sector employer saw an 80.3 percent rise in net earnings for the year hitting $3.4 billion on sales of $29.7 billion. Earnings per share were up 67.5 percent. The food company employs 550 people, up 50 from 2002 in its Avon facility. The local plant produces Oscar Mayer Lunchables and is home to the only Cool Whip whipped-topping manufacturing operation in the U.S. and Canada. Kraft set up shop in Avon in the mid-1980s when the food giant acquired General Foods Corp. The biggest concern analysts foresee now is Kraft's parent company, Altria, being hit with a $10.1 billion judgment in March against its tobacco subsidiary, Philip Morris USA Inc. and resulted in Altria's credit rating being put on watch. New products are expected to generate roughly $1 billion in sales - a recent acquisition of the Stollwerk chocolate business in Russia and Poland is an example. (5/2)
OFFICE
Canandaigua-- Canandaigua Wine Co. has completed the $5.5 million expansion of its Canandaigua headquarters. The project included constructing a two-story, 42,000 sq. ft. building adjacent to the existing headquarters, renovation of existing offices and expansion of the parking lot. (5/19)
Pittsford-- Concentrix Corp, a marketing services company, will more than double its operation with 331 new jobs over the next three years and invest more than $6 million in its facility in Pittsford. The expansion was announced by the company and Gov. George Pataki, who praised Concentrix for deciding to invest in New York rather than move its operations to Ontario, Canada. Stephen Hodownes, the company's president and CEO said the decision was based largely on the state's ability to offer a $600,000 grant. The company will apply for the grant through the Empire State Development Corp, which will enable them to be much more cost competitive as they add jobs locally. Concentrix provides marketing services for corporations and businesses at its 150,000 sq. ft. facility and the expansion will include new computers, hardware and software. The company has already added about 50 jobs this year and will add another 75 by year's end with an average pay of $39,000, the company estimates. (5/8)
Rochester-- While many manufacturing companies have been shrinking and local employment is on the decline, Calvary Automation Systems - a designer and builder of robotic, assembly and test equipment for manufacturers - is bucking regional industry trends. In April, the $3 million corporation at 1560 Emerson Street made another expansion move, spending $3.5 million on a new office at 50 Becker Road in Henrietta that is more than double their current size. Calvary is in the process of buying patents for high-end engineering technology such as data tracking systems that should quadruple the 20-employee business. The company plans to use a little more than half of the new 75,000 sq. ft. building and hopes to move in within six months. (4/17)
Webster-- First Niagara Bank plans to open its fifth Monroe County branch later this year. The 2,500 sq. ft. branch at 1243 Bay Road will employ six employees. (5/23)
RETAIL
Brighton-- Charles Arena and Tony Gullace, along with architect John Schick, will open an as yet unnamed restaurant at the former Boom restaurant site, closed in May. Arena and Gullace plan to change the decor and layout of the eatery at 1456 Monroe Avenue, which is expected to open in August.
Canandaigua-- Benderson Development Inc. will present its site plan for a Tim Hortons and Eckerd Drugstore to the city Planning Commission at a hearing at City Hall. The city hearing will review a special use permit application and a June 17 meeting is slated for the Planning Board to review a site plan. The two businesses would straddle the town/city line at the corner of North Main and North Road, the site of the former eatery, John and Bob's. Most of the project, including the 14,000 sq. ft. pharmacy, is in the city. But the 2,700 sq. ft. Tim Hortons is in the town and Benderson's will need approvals from both municipalities for the project to go forward. (5/25)
Greece-- Tim Hortons, a restaurant featuring coffee, doughnuts, other baked goods, sandwiches and soup, is eyeing a vacant parcel at 3663 Mt. Read Boulevard, next to Maiden Lanes Bowling Center in Greece. Louis J. Terragnoli Jr., director of real estate for the Tim Hortons Group said the Wendy's-owned chain plans to put up a 2,810 sq. ft. brick restaurant similar to those in Henrietta. Typically, the restaurants are open 24 hours, however, the Town Board may ask the business to have a 24 hour drive-through. The county is conducting a traffic study for the effects on traffic, but the Planning Board said the town's environmental board recommended that the project would not have a significant negative effect on the environment. If all approvals are in place, construction could begin by this summer and the eatery opened this fall. (4/10)
Henrietta-- Wegman's supermarket chain wants to build a 130,000 sq. ft. store on a 30-acre site that it plans to purchase from the Monroe County Fair and Recreation Association. The store would replace a 57,000 sq. ft. retail store at the corner of Calkins and E. Henrietta roads. In August, Wegmans withdrew its previous rezoning application because of neighborhood opposition to the project. Although the project has been modified, the concept design remains the same. Among elements of the new plan, a 60 to 80 unit senior living facility, two 5,000 sq. ft. retail outparcels which could be used for restaurants or banks and more landscaped green space. Wegmans estimates the store would create 100 jobs as well as 150 construction jobs. (3/16, 4/23)
Rochester-- Developer John Billone Jr. of Flower City Management has plans of demolishing the Downtown Motor Lodge at 390 South Avenue - property he bought from the city in March 2002. Billone hopes to acquire land at 420 and 426 South Avenue and turn the three parcels into a mixed development of retail and housing. A design meeting on July 12 will help develop plans for the site. (6/6)
Rochester-- The former Rochester Gas and Electric Corp. facility on Jefferson Road in Henrietta will be demolished later this year. Flaum Development Co. Inc. owns the property and will be demolishing the building and looking for retail tenants - either one big box store or several medium and small stores for a shopping center. The sub-structure of the building was damaged and this became the most feasible thing to do, according to Mike Palumbo, director of acquisitions. The 250,000 sq. ft. facility sits at 700 Jefferson Road, between Romano's Macaroni Grill and Bahama Breeze restaurants. Flaum hopes to begin demolition by August. (6/5)
Victor-- Benderson Development presented updated plans to the Planning Board for the proposed Wal-Mart supercenter to be located on a 566,000 sq. ft. multi-use development on 95.4 acres at the 490 and Thruway interchange on Route 96. In addition to a 200,000 sq. ft. Wal-Mart store, the plans call for three strip malls, three restaurants, five office buildings and a hotel - as well as an outparcel to be developed to future tenants specs. Board members had questions and concerns alike, such as traffic congestion, noise and appearance. Residents could attend - and 65 did - however, public questions and comments will be heard at a later date. According to economic consultant Larry Cranor of RKG Associates, the project will create 570 construction jobs, 680 retail positions and $9 million worth of salaries. (3/19)
Victor-- Eastview Mall will be the first Northeast site for Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano restaurant chain. Biaggi's is the latest and last restaurant tenant to sign on to be in the 64,000 sq. ft. wing under construction at Eastview Mall. Wilmortie Property Management says the contemporary Italian eatery will take up 9,500 sq. ft. of space. Biaggi's will open November 1 and hungry shoppers can expect an average tab of about $17 per person on a menu featuring homemade pasta, seafood, chicken, veal and steak. (4/26)
INDUSTRIAL
Perinton-- Nalge Nunc International is expected to sign a contract to buy the 37,000 sq. ft. former Mill Industries Inc. facility in Perinton, currently assessed for $3.6 million, according to town officials. Formerly Sybron International Corp., Nalge Nunc is a unit of publicly traded Apogent Technoligies Inc. The firm employs 20 staffers locally and currently has 340,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing warehouse and office space in Penfield and another 24,000 sq. ft. of office and warehouse space in Rochester. The Perinton building has been for sale for roughly two years. Nalge Nunc is a leading supplier to the life sciences market internationally making products such as beakers, flasks, filtration units and outdoor products. The company, a longtime local firm, established in 1949, provides high-quality plastic products to be used as an alternative to glass labware. (4/11)
Rochester-- University of Rochester is planning a $20 million, 82,000 sq. ft. expansion of its East River Road laser lab. The extra space is needed to house two new high-power, high-energy Omega lasers, which will expand the lab's capacity for research and experimentation. The lab conducts research into nuclear fusion, a theoretical alternative to the traditional method of nuclear fission. The impact on the community should be minimal, according to Robert Kraus, spokesman for the University, adding that only a modest increase in staff would be necessary so traffic will not be an issue. The two new Omega lasers will be paid for by a $30 million federal grant already approved for the university. The concept has already received approval by the town and is in the process of obtaining site approval from the Planning Board. (5/7)
Victor-- Victor-based Ultimate Technology Inc. has acquired Uptime Inc. of Cleveland, giivng the local maker of computerized checkout machines a new revenue stream from servicing the devices. Already selling its point-of-sale machines to 13 of the top 100 retailers, the deal will include another nine of those top 100. The companies did not reveal the financial terms of the transaction, but combined, they will push toward $100 million in annual revenue in three years. The deal also pushes the company's headcount ahead from 60 to 100. (5/16)
RESIDENTIAL
Palmyra-- Sermar Management Corp. in conjunction with development consultant Edemere Development is proposing a $3.3 million purchase and renovation of what is commonly known as the Garlock Building at 22 Church Street. According to Mark Sertl, vice president of Sermar Mgmt., market studies indicate there is a high demand for affordable senior housing apartments in the area. He also commented they have a waiting list for their 24-unit Vienna Place. A second phase is also proposed for about a dozen cape cod units to be built on vacant land east of the building also intended for low-income seniors. Renovations on the old Garlock building are expected to begin in late fall and construction on the new cape units possibly in 2005. (3/18)
Penfield-- Restaurateur's, Mario and Danny Daniele, have purchased 10 acres at 1440 Empire Boulevard in Penfield, hoping to build a gated community of luxury condominiums similar to those found in Florida or the Caribbean and also include some commercial space. The estimated cost of the project, still in the research phase, is $23 - $27 million, with about $20 million going toward the condos. Each unit would be between 1,500 to 2,500 sq. ft. and sell for an estimated $500,000 to $700,000. The gated community would have a tennis court, pool, boardwalks and beautiful landscaping. The commercial area would be separate from the gated community. Construction must still be approved by the town and isn't likely to begin for another one to two years. (5/10)
Rochester-- Conifer Realty LLC purchased the Keeler Park Apartments at Seneca Manor Drive from Victoria Park Housing Corp. for $18 million. The Rochester-based company plans to spend about $3.2 million by the end of this year to improve the high-rise. (4/16)
Rochester-- Two of Rochester's oldest public housing projects will be demolished as part of a multiyear, $27 million plan to build new houses in the Plymouth-Exchange neighborhood. The overall goal is to supplant some of the city's most obsolete public housing with new houses, duplexes, triples and more green space - and to integrate public housing with affordable housing units. The project would be completed in phases and is expected to start as early as this year, with a collaborative effort of the Rochester Housing Authority, Providence Housing Development Corp., Rochester's Cornerstone Group Ltd., and the city of Rochester. 35 homes at the Kennedy Townhouses will be demolished, possibly this year, and replaced with 28 single-family houses, duplexes and triples. Other homes would be built on vacant lots throughout the southwest with an expected cost of $7.5 million. As the second phase, a portion of the Olean parcel would be set aside for the construction of 17 single-family houses through the city's Home Expo program in 2004 or 2005. The estimated cost is $2.5 million. The Housing Authority also wants to build 22 other houses in the neighborhood, costing $2.4 million. Finally, the interior and exterior of Kennedy Tower will be renovated. The improvements include expanding the parking lot, installing a new elevator and building a community room. The cost is expected to be $2.7 million. The project is contingent on Providence and Cornerstone Group receiving state tax credits. A 700-page application was submitted to the state Division of Housing and Community Renewal and a decision is expected around August. (4/17)
Rochester-- After a yearlong delay, city officials are hopeful that a federal program to sell hundreds of vacant HUD properties will be reinstated by July 1. Under this program, Asset Control Area Program, known as "ACAP", allowed municipalities and non-profit developers to purchase HUD-owned properties within designated areas at a discount. The program was widely considered the most promising effort to date by Rochester officials to get control of city properties that HUD takes over through foreclosures - in less than two years, they were able to sell 553 houses, the majority to owner occupants. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development suspended the program last March after an internal review found problems with its administration. Now HUD is attempting to restart the program with new rules; the city must rehabilitate certain properties before they are sold. Fewer properties will be purchased because the ACAP revitalization territory has been redrawn. The council is expected to vote on legislation authorizing the city's participation to the revamped program this month. (5/13)
Rochester-- In the past 75 years, the temple building at 14 Franklin Street has been a church, a nightclub, a World War II aerial lookout and offices. Now there are plans for the downtown building to be converted into a much-desired living complex, with penthouses, loft apartments, underground parking, shops and even a steakhouse. Renovations that began three years ago to convert part of the office building to 50 apartments and three floors of offices are now in their final stages and tenants are moving in, according to Jim Costanza who has owned the building with four of his siblings for 20 years. (6/12)
OTHER
Brighton-- The Town Board and the library Board of Trustees met to review five sites that are under consideration by the town for a new library facility. Al Hazelwood, of Passero Associates, PC, presented five site sketches showing how the proposed 11,000 sq. ft. building with access and parking lot facilities could be placed upon the sites under consideration. The presentation also included initial cost estimates for development of each of the sites. Based upon this information, the Town Board will schedule a public informational meeting in the near future so residents may have the opportunity to learn more about his major capital project. Once a decision is made on the site, detailed building and site plans must be prepared and approvals obtained - then total costs associated with the project will be more refined and a bonding resolution will be offered. (3/26)
Brighton-- The buyer of a 2.9 acre piece of Pinnacle Hill, known as the highest point in Rochester, has no immediate plans for the property and it will most likely remain vacant for a while. Mark DiFelice of Rochester purchased the property, which is comprised of roughly one-eighth of the 748-foot peak, from Thomas Cascini for $48,500. Preservationists and upper Monroe County residents have long been interested in turning Pinnacle Hill into a park, or at least creating a right of way through what is now DiFelice's piece of it to the undeveloped part of the hill owned by Hillside, but they were unable to raise the money to buy it. The property is currently zoned residential and DiFelice, at this time, has no plans of applying for a zoning variance. (6/15)
Chili-- Supervisor Steve Hendershott announced a desire to build an indoor youth athletic facility during his state of the town address in February. Although plans for the facility are not yet on the table, town officials say progress is being made. The Town Board approved the formation of an eight-member Youth Recreation Center Task Force in March and they're trying to get this wrapped up before the end of the year. Hendershott said the facility will most likely be located on part of 26.6 acres of town-owned land that is adjacent to the Town Hall complex off Scottsville-Chili Road, sharing the existing parking lot with the Town Hall and saving about $300,000. No price tag or source of funding has been attached to the project at this point and subsequently, a deadline has not been set for the task force to issue a report. (5/26)
Fairport-- The village has six offers on the table to buy and renovate the former Green Tavern and expects to pick one soon. According to village trustee, Kevin Clark, Chairman of the village's Industrial Development Agency, the tavern could possibly be open again this summer. The village foreclosed on the property in January and is eager to fill this vacant site, along with the Lift Bridge Lane establishment famous for its Friday fish-fry. While the IDA's board has not yet met on the proposals, they have reported most bids are for restaurant and bar uses, all within $1,000 of the village's minimum asking price of $185,000. The village is expected to accept a proposal and close within 4 to 8 weeks and expects about a 60-day renovation period before opening. (4/10)
Greece-- -- Two years ago, the town paid Eastman Kodak Co. $840,000 to purchase 490 acres of land near the Erie Canal and with the recent resale of just 25 acres, the town has already made back more than half of its money. The town recently negotiated the first purchase of the former Kodak land, now called Northamtpon Landing with a plumbing company that wants to expand at 441 Elmgrove Road. The town made $475,0000 on the sale. Gatti Plumbing will use the land to parks its trucks.
Henrietta-- A new game and mini-golf center opened at the site of the old Putt-Putt Golf & Games located at 70 Jay Scutti Boulevard. The new game center, Fun Center, features three 18-hole outdoor miniature golf courses and video, arcade and virtual reality games, including pinball and skee-ball. Putt-Putt closed in August 2002. (5/13)
Irondequoit-- A vote on a proposed golf clubhouse at Durand-Eastman Park could result in the replacement of the existing one with a $2.6 million structure by December. The proposal before the Monroe County Legislature authorizes, if approved, contracts and borrowing for a 20,000 sq. ft. clubhouse, replacing the building now in use is 3,500 sq. ft. built in 1932. The existing clubhouse in beyond repair and insufficient in size, according to mark Ballerstein, engineering operations manger for the county. County officials say the clubhouse won't add to the county's tax burden because the bonds will be repaid with golfing fees. The county receives about $550,000 a year from golfing fees from its three public courses. The new facility would include a restaurant for about 60 people, restrooms, lockers and a pro shop on the first floor, along with a patio that could have a tent holding 75 people, a new 1,000 sq. ft. snack bar and a slightly enlarged parking lot The 10,000 sq. ft. basement would be for golf carts and storage. Owner of two other area public courses, Jack Tindale Inc. , would run the county's golf courses through 2017 and would put $300,000 toward furnishing the clubhouse and supplies and also pay the county $100,000 a year over 15 years on improvements at county courses. (6/9)
Mendon-- The Honeoye Creek Bridge, built in 1928, is coming down and being rebuilt. A quarter mile of Plains Road between Route 15A and Route 251 is closed to through traffic until August, while the county reconstructs the bridge. The project will cost the county approximately $716,000 and includes straightening the road that goes across the bridge. The new bridge will be 100 feet long and will increase the width of each of the two lanes by 1 foot and will look very much the same, according to reports. Project completion is expected to be in October. (4/23)
Pittsford-- The 20 acres the town is purchasing was always part of the greenprint, but the deal makes it official. The land is part of the former Manno property - a 186-acre farm located between Willard and Mendon Center roads. The town bought the development rights to all but 40 acres of the property in 1998 with a price tag of approximately $1.3 million. Now the town is looking to purchase the remaining 20 acres of the farm, a parcel located on Willard Road, east of the road leading to the Monroe County Water Authority tower. The price tag for the development rights to the 20 acres is $140,000. The purchase is part of the town's $9.9 million greenprint plan to preserve agricultural land. Closing on the property will most likely be within the next 60 days. (3/26)
Rochester-- State lawmakers have approved $56,000 to keep open the Gen. Alfred H. Doud New York Army National Guard Armory on Culver Road. Gov. George Pataki's budget cuts included closing nine armories, one being Doud and possibly utilizing the building as government offices. The Doud Armory, built in 1918 is home to four National Guard units who will remain a military presence in the historical building. (5/1)
Rochester-- A bill was passed by both the Senate and the Assembly, 61 to 0 and 141 to 8 respectively, that would allow part of Genesee Valley Park to be used for a development project, if passed by Gov. George Pataki. The measure would allow about 3.5 acres of the 5.85-acre park to become part of the Brooks Landing Revitalization Project - bringing positive development and 180 part- and full-time jobs to Rochester. Supporters hope the project at Brooks Landing and Genesee Street will lead to closer ties between the University of Rochester and the 19th Ward on either side of the river, by sparking construction of a hotel and retail space. The 90,000 sq. ft. project includes a hotel, restaurant, offices, conference center and about 30,000 sq. ft. of commercial space. Additionally, the project will also improve public access to the river, rebuild a portion of Brooks Avenue and add boat-docking facilities. The estimated cost is $17.5 million - a total of $2.5 million will come from city bonds, about $11 million from private investors and about $4 million from the federal government, according to Fashun Ku, city commissioner of economic development. Work is expected to begin in September and be done in August. (5/9)
Victor-- Residents voted yes to a $3.2 million firehouse renovation -- 136 voted in favor of the proposal and 62 opposed. As approved, the 35-year old Maple Avenue building will get upgraded heating and electrical systems, seven additional bays off Adams Street and offices. According to Mayor Tom Walker, the project will increase the village tax rate by an average of 71 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. The current tax rate is $4.30 per $1,000 of assessed value. For the first year of the 20-year bond, the increase will be 47 cents per $1,000. As years progress, the rate will fluctuate but average 71 cents. Construction will likely begin early next spring. (3/19)
Waterloo-- The U.S. Department of Agriculture has agreed to stand behind a $10 million loan to finance construction of a comprehensive travel center and service plaza at Thruway Exit 41 in Waterloo, Seneca County. The 30,000 sq. ft. travel plaza will include a medical center, laundry and theater, in addition to more conventional amenities for travelers. It will also include up to 100 electrified units for use by trucks, which make up a large percentage of the estimated 35,000 vehicles passing through the exit daily. According to Representative Sherwood Boehler, the center will generate $25 million in sales during the first year of operation, which translates into about $1 million in sales tax revenues for the county and when completed, will create 150 new jobs in Seneca County. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year. (3/27)
Webster-- According to Town Clerk Barbara Ottenschot, the proposal for the town to purchase a 4-acre parcel along Irondequoit Bay and Lake Ontario for a park, passed by a vote of 1,368 to 1,260. The current owner, developer Richard Gollel will sell the town a section of the sandy peninsula along the north end of the bay for $1 million. The parcel includes 1,900 feet of water frontage about 900 feet each on the Bay and Lake Ontario. Spicing up the offer for town voters was a proposal by local businessman and home builder John Casciani to donate almost 4 acres of land to the town, contingent upon the success of the vote. The wooded parcel near Lake and Bay roads includes frontage on Irondequoit Bay. The town will borrow for the purchase and repay the loan from money saved in a fund dedicated for capital items related to parks. (3/26)
GENERAL
Brighton-- Spring has sprung and according to highway superintendent, Wilbur Shone, work has begun for the highway department. Ditching to control run off along county and town highways is underway, and a new driveway culvert and 200 feet of drainage improvements have been completed on the 350 block of Cheese Factory Road. Preparations are being made for the water line hook up at the Highway Department and Semmel Road Park. And although there are no state highway projects in the town, there are two county projects - paving of both Quaker Meeting House Road and Cheese Factory Road. (4/2)
Fairport-- The village of Fairport has received a $25,000 matching grant from the state to study what officials say is the last underdeveloped stretch of canal-front property in the business district. The roughly 3-acre property formerly used as a marina for "The Fairport Lady" commonly referred to as the "old marina site" sits on the north side of the canal, between the waterway and the railroad tracks. The site has been inactive for about five years and is divided into two parcels - one of which is owned by village resident Donn Calabrese, and the other by Conking and Calabrese, a building supply company. Bob Radell, director of the Village's Industrial Development Agency said they secured the grant and will pay the other $25,000 to fund a study of the best uses for the property. Radell expects the study to begin by the end of May and hopes to have it completed by fall. (3/20)
Greece-- Construction on Ridge Road is underway and is expected, in its entirety, to be completed by December 2007. The entire project will reconstruct and widen a 5.3 mile stretch of West Ridge Rd. between Route 390 and Hunford Landing. The project will create a wider shoulder for bike space and will add a raised center median between Route 390 and Mayflower Street. To date, about 22 percent of the first phase of the project or nearly $6 million worth, has been completed. Most recent estimates have put the first phase - from Route 390 to Dewey Avenue - at $22 million with an anticipated completion of the phase by December 2004. (4/17)
Greece-- The town has created an internet database that shows what Greece's roughly 32,000 properties are worth, and what owners pay in taxes. Tax information is downloaded from Monroe County's mainframe and added to the town's database. The service cost the town $7,100 to set up in the first year and will cost $2,100 every subsequent year to update the information. Staff expect to spend less time on the phone answering tax and assessment questions because users now have the information at their fingertips. (4/29)
Greece-- The town of Greece will hold three public meetings this month on its new draft zoning plan to get the public's input on their vision. The new zoning, that would change the way some portions of Greece look in the coming decades, is based on recommendations the Town Board approved in a land-use plan created two years ago. The largest change comes in the rural area between North Greece and Manitou roads, where density would decrease from one house per 18,000 sq. ft. to one house per 44,000 sq. ft. or one acre. Officials say they want to lower the density of houses in the last ortion of town that remains largely undeveloped. The draft also calls for a patch of West Ridge Road between North Greece and Manitou roads to be zoned for more commercial development. Greece's land is now 6 percent commercial and that will not change with this rezoning. (6/15)
Henrietta-- The State Department of Transportation started work Wednesday on widening and reconstructing the intersection of Lehigh Station Road and West Henrietta Road. The $7.7 million project will include a new drainage system, new storm water and wetland facility, new curbing, new sidewalks and repaving of the road. Drainage work is expected to start in April. To reduce traffic congestion, the plan is to add a second travel lane in each direction and a center turning lane. The project is expected to be completed by fall 2005. (3/27)
Henrietta-- Entered into a tentative agreement with Chili-based Forest Creek Equity Corp., the town plans to acquire 50 acres of land along the Genesee River, located just across the street from the Riverton Golf Course, for use as a passive/nature park. The site is part of a larger 300-acre parcel the developer plans to build as many as 400 to 500 single-family homes on over a 10 year period. There is no word on how much, if anything, it will cost the town to acquire the land. Funding for the project will come from the town's pending sale of the Riverton Golf Course and defunct Riverhead park to the DeMino family. The park is scheduled to open in 2004. (4/9)
Perinton-- Monroe County has proposed finishing off construction on the Lyndon Road Bridge with a single pedestrian ramp connecting the bridge to the canal path, allowing families in the area to walk from Lyndon Road to the baseball fields or Thomas Creek Ice Rink as early as next spring. The connection will be a ramp structure built with concrete and steel that switches its direction between the bridge and the path. The upper section of the ramp will be about 267 feet long, and the lower section will be about 135 feet. The project will cost approximately $1 million, most of which is supplied by the state and already secured. (5/15)
Pittsford-- Residents may one day be able to get building permits through the town's web site. Providing these and other services is one of the recommendations to come out of a committee formed last year to find ways to improve and expand communications with residents. Among the committee's suggestions were making the web site easier to locate, enhancing the site's content and making it easier to navigate. According to a committee representative, the web site is easy and less costly to update than modifications made by paper, making processes more efficient. The Town Board will review the report to determine how they will implement these recommendations and in what order. (4/9)
Rochester-- The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester wants to build an addition onto Sacred Heart Cathedral and tear down a house to create a large, landscaped parking lot. The overall $6 to $8 million project to renovate the interior and exterior of the building includes building an addition with an atrium connecting the rectory and church and office space, a framed monumental archway, an elevated terrace providing access to the main entrance, and a porte cochere (a covered drive-through entry) adding handicap-accessible entry to the building. Exterior work includes the purchase of homes on Flower City Park, Primrose Street and Ridgeway Avenue for the 114-vehicle parking lot. The city's Environmental Commission has recommended an environmental impact statement be conducted because of the number of homes that would be torn down. The diocese has assisted in relocation of those who's homes have been torn down. (4/6)
Rochester-- Although the state Department of Motor Vehicles' office at Sibley Centre handled 92,000 transactions a year, state officials decided to close the office at the end of March. The state's decision made Rochester the only major city in the state not to have an office to handle driver's license and registration applications. State lawmakers approved $1.5 million to reopen a state office for motor vehicle transactions downtown. The funds were added to a transportation appropriations bill by Assemblyman David F. Gantt. The legislation provides funds to reopen a fully staffed state motor vehicles office. Gantt did not know when or where the motor vehicles office might reopen. (4/29)
Rochester-- Work is under way to make Rochester into a Great Lakes city. A 774-passenger, 238-car ferry to Toronto, a multimillion-dollar terminal with shops and restaurants, and what is likely to be the first border crossing in the country under newly created federal Department of Homeland Security are part of a plan projected to cost $78 million for the 38-acre development under way at the Port of Rochester. The money, funded by the state and federal governments is expected to leverage some $250 to $300 million in private investment along Lake Ontario and the Genesee River. Roughly $100 million in investment is expected in the next 12 to 18 months. In New York, Rochester is the first in a growing list of upstate cities embarking on ferry and port projects. With millions of dollars in public funding and the potential for hundreds of millions in private investments, the Port of Rochester could become a major international port of entry again. (4/25)
Rochester-- The Center City Master Plan - ideas and projects added to blueprints sketching what downtown could be - a plan that Mayor William A. Johnson wants the private sector as well as the public sector to rely on to enhance downtown. Some of the ideas in the master plan include expanding Strong Museum, a white-water course on the Genesee River, new housing along Scio Street, a performing arts center, transit center along Main Street, new parking garages and a tree-lined walking trail. The ambitious 83-page master plan, approved by City Council, is considered a vital tool that will help guide development and creat an expciting 24-hour environment in the city's urban core over the next 10 years. Mayor Johnson admits the money for such plans will not be easy to come by and a City Council meeting is being devoted entirely to the center city plan. (5/26)
Rush-- Town officials settled into their temporary offices to make way for a $2 million renovation on the 70-year-old Town Hall - business is being conducted from two trailers next to the Town Hall. The project is slated to start May 1 and is estimated to be completed in six months. Included in the renovations are replacing the electrical, heating and plumbing systems, reconfiguring offices and installing an elevator. The town library will also be renovated and the parking lot resurfaced and expanded. During this time, meetings will be held at the Rush Fire Station. (4/25)
