2nd Quarter 2004
ECONOMIC & BUSINESS
Bausch & Lomb - Increased sales of contact lenses, pharmaceuticals and refractive surgery equipment led Bausch & Lomb to a 50% net income for the first quarter in 2004. Net earnings per share for the quarter rose from last years 31 cents to 43 cents. Net income was $23.5 million, up from the $15.6 million last year. Worldwide, Bausch & Lomb reported a net income of $510.3 million up 14% from $448 million last year. (4/22)
Paychex - Paychex Inc. set another financial record for its fiscal third quarter as $80.5 million was made in 3 months ending February 29th. The equates to 21 cents per share, an 11% increase over the same period last year. Revenue increase 19% to $342.6 million. This is the third straight quarterly record for Paychex. The company's client base topped 500,000, 10,000 over the second quarter of fiscal 2004. Paychex projection for revenue growth this fiscal year was increased about 1% to 16 to 18%, and profit growth remains at 8 to 10%. (3/19)
Construction - In the six-county Rochester area, construction contracts increased 179% in February, as compared with the same time last year. The figures went from $30.54 million in February, 2003 to $85.22 million in February, 2004, up 101% from the January, 2004 figure of $27.5 million. The increase is due to the demand for nonresidential building, such as commercial and industrial construction. Residential construction contracts were up 14% to $29.85 million. (3/24)
Sutherland Global Services - Sutherland Global Services received a $30 million equity investment enabling them to expand business in the U.S., Canada and India. The Rochester area-based outsourcing company expects to increase its workforce by one-third in the near future. Much of the expansion will occur in India, revenue from Sutherland's U.S. operation should grow 15% this year. The company has more than 3 dozen major clients, including Xerox, Amazon.com and Hewlett-Packard. Sutherland employs about 1,500 people in the Rochester area. (3/24)
Pactiv Corp. - Ontario County's largest employer, Pactiv Corp., announced plans to consolidate manufacturing facilities in Europe and North America as part of a $45 million savings plan. Nearly 1,100 workers in Ontario County make Hefty products at Pactiv. Of their 80 facilities around the world, the majority of the plan would affect molded fiber facilities. The savings would be reinvested into marketing and new development initiatives. In another announcement, Pactiv will eliminate or relocate about 85 jobs from the Canandaigua plant as part of its restructuring. 25 to 30 engineering jobs from its Canandaigua tech center will be transferred, while 50 to 55 jobs will be eliminated from manufacturing by May 30th. Pactive employs a little over 1000 in the Canandaigua area. (3/16 & 4/2)
Corning - Corning Inc. plans to build a second factory in Taiwan to manufacture liquid crystal display glass. In February, 2004, the company said it was investing $600 million over the next 2 years in the production of the ultra thin glass in Taiwan and Japan. Last year, Corning Inc. spent $180 million in expanding those plants. The glass is used in flat-screened computer monitors and televisions. Corning expects LCD glass volume to increase 30% to 50% a year over the next several years. In a surge of sales for the first quarter of 2004, the company posted a strong $55 million profit. (5/2)
Charter One - A $10.5 billion transaction purchased Charter One Financial Inc. making the bank one of the ten largest in the country. The Royal Bank of Scotland Brou acted through a subsidiary Citizens Financial Group Inc. in the purchase. Citizens will grow to $128.8 billion in assets, 24,000 employees and more than 1,400 branches in 13 states. (5/6)
Constellation Brands - Constellation Brands is powering up its high-end wines by entering into an agreement with Domaines Barons de Rothchild of Paris and Huneeus Vintners of Napa Valley, California. Constellation will provide $81.2 million in assets and cash and become the largest stockholder of the yet to be named company. Its key contribution will be its own Oakville vineyard in Napa Valley. Rothchilds will invest $61.37 million and Huneeus will add another $68 million in cash and assets. The Rothchilds name among vintners is listed as one of the highest levels for French wine which sell for several hundred dollars per bottle. (5/18)
Eastman Kodak - Kodak has purchased Scitex Digital Printing for $237 million. Scitex is a design and manufacturer of commercial printing machines in Israel. The company will be renamed Kodak Versamark Inc. and will operate wholly as a Kodak subsidiary with headquarters in Dayton, Ohio. (1/26)
Eastman Kodak - Eastman Kodak Co. announced that it would add about 60 manufacturing jobs at its Windsor, Colorado facility instead of adding the jobs in Rochester. Demand has increased for a popular home printer and a line of store-based self-serving imaging kiosks. The ribbons used to help convert the images to prints has been manufactured in Colorado and expansion seemed logical. Rochester makes the special paper used in the printer and kiosks and demand for that has also been growing. Kodak has placed about 50,000 PictureMaker kiosks worldwide. (3/23)
Eastman Kodak - An agreement has Medis Technologies, Inc. of New York City and Kodak working together to formulate groundbreaking technology of liquid fuel cells. Kodak has agreed to help develop chemicals and refueling cartridges for the advancement of Medis' fuel-cell products. Medis' product objective is to provide a cheaper and more efficient electricity for the consumer and military uses. (5/26)
Eastman Kodak - As announced in January, Kodak will be reducing its assets by one-third worldwide in the next few years. Kodak Park is expected to shrink as well as some buildings will be demolished and others sold. Demolition of 24 structures, including buildings and sheds, are planned. About 60 buildings have been removed in the last ten years. (6/2)
Infotonics - A ribbon cutting ceremony officially opened the Infotonics Technology Center in Canandaigua. The lab aims to create "spin-off" companies and thousands of jobs for the region in optics and micro-electronics. Supported by public and private funds, the tech center includes a state of the art "clean" room for researching and creating new devices used in sensors, microscopic mirrors and computer processors. Officials say that the lab qualifies as the premier research facility east of the Mississippi. Eastman Kodak, Xerox and Corning, Inc. were among the contributors to the development of the tech center. (5/11)
Monroe Muffler - Monro Muffler Brake Inc. reported a record sales and earning for the fiscal year which ended March 29th. Even though net income fell 12% in the 4th quarter, the Rochester chain states that it is on its way to more record revenue and profit. The company earned $2.2 million for the fourth quarter and sales jumped 9.4% to $67.2 million. The chain has 596 stores and plan to open 25 new stores in 2005, including 20 in BJ's Wholesale Club. (5/21)
Manufacturing Jobs - The Rochester area lost nearly 4,000 manufacturing jobs in 2003 bringing totals to almost 34,000 since 1993. From December 2002 to December 2003, the six county Rochester area lost 4.4%, or 3,900 jobs. Rochester lost a total of 5,000 jobs in 2003. Statewide, New York lost 31,900 manufacturing jobs in 2003. The cause of the manufacturing job loss stem from a number of factors, including the economy, productivity improvement and outsourcing. (3/12)
Rochester Gas & Electric - Profits dropped 41%, or $20 million, and 364 jobs were cut for Rochester Gas & Electric in 2003. The company partly blames a rate order by the Public Service Commission which reduced its earnings by $30 million. RG&E net income was $29.64 million for 2003, down from the $50 million earned in 2002. Operating revenues were $1.02 billion for 2003, up slightly from 2002 $992 million. (3/19)
Rochester Gas & Electric - RG&E has has sold the Robert E. Ginna nuclear power plant to Constellation Generation Group of Baltimore for $408 million. Constellation then plans to transfer ownership to a subsidiary called R.E. Ginna Nuclear Power Plant. RG&E has said that the $110 million in proceeds from the sale will be sent out in refunds to eligible electric customers. Constellation plans on spending $40 million in renovations to increase the amount of electricity produced. The 440 employees of Ginna were offered employment at the plant with Constellation. (6/11)
Fast Ferry - The fast ferry, The Spirit of Ontario, arrived at its new home at the Port of Rochester after a 15,500 nautical mile trip from western Australia. Nicknamed "The Breeze," the $42.5 million ship is one of the most anticipated projects in Rochester history. The ship will travel between Rochester and Toronto two times daily, at first, and then three times daily after May 28th. Ship features include a restaurant, bars, internet, small theaters, business class, a duty-free shop, a children's play area and an arcade. The ship can haul 774 passengers and 238 automobiles. One-way tickets range from $28 for adults without a car, with a car the adult ticket is $20 and the fee for the car is $40. (4/28)
Biotechnology - A national business magazine has ranked the Rochester area as 26th on a list of top 40 areas for biotechnology. There are more than 70 biotechnology and life science companies employing 7,500 people in the Rochester region. Greater Rochester Enterprise conducted the survey and will include the survey in its presentation at BIO 2004, the largest gathering of biotechnology leaders in the world. GRE is a privately led organization focused on economic development. Rochester ranked higher than Tampa, FL (#27), Portland, OR (#30) and Austin, TX (#37). Buffalo-Niagara Falls metro area placed 40th. (4/30)
Home Sales - Rochester area house sales were up 18.5% from March, 2003 and up 11.5% from April, 2003. For the first four months of 2004, sales were up 1.7% over 2003, and there were 9.5% more homes listed for sale in April 2004 than in April 2003. Sales in the city of Rochester were up 5.3% over last year, Wayne County sales were up 14.1% and Ontario County up 7.7% from last years record pace. The median price for a home through April was $95,000, same as last year. Nationwide, new single-family home sales increased 8.9% in March, an increase of 21.8% over March 2003. (5/7)
Home Sales - In May, Rochester area home sales were just 1% lower than May of 2003 and 4.7% higher than April, 2004. The median sales price remained unchanged at $97,000 and dollar volume was up 1.5% to $486 million. (6/10)
Home Ownership - A new analysis suggests that home ownership for low and moderate income families has declined since the late 1970's. The data, in part, suggests that the families income has not kept pace with the soaring housing prices, sighting a need for government to promote construction of affordable homes. Over the past few decades, builders have been developing bigger homes in the $250,000-$400,000 range geared toward higher income people. (5/18)
Farmland - The U.S. Department of Agriculture latest census report shows that Monroe County is continuing to lose farmland to development. According to the report, Monroe County is losing farmland three times faster than the national and state average. Agriculture is one of the areas largest industries. One third of the state's agricultural produce comes from the Rochester area. Monroe County lost 6,517 acres of farmland from 1997 to 2002, when the census was taken. The number of farms now totals 631 in Monroe County, up from 603 in 1997, although the farms have gotten smaller. (6/4)
Nursing Homes - Most counties across the State of New York are debating whether or not to stay in the nursing home business. The dilemma is whether to continue a long-held tradition as a long-term care provider or face an increasingly dim financial outlook. The State has not upped basic Medicaid rates since 1983 and nursing homes can only get a new rate if costly substantial renovations take place or by changing their governing bodies. The 12-county Genesee region's aging population is expected to need 3,200 new beds by 2030. (3/26)
Empire Zone - The Rochester area was among the lowest for tax breaks through the Empire Zone program in 2001. Created to spur development in depressed areas of the state, studies are showing that in the eight upstate zones, ¼ met their job projections, ½ added jobs and a ¼ lost jobs. The funding for Empire Zone is up for renewal in Albany as it expires in July. The issues is whether the program is too generous and how much it will cost in the future. (5/10)
OFFICE
Rochester-- The Mancuso Business Development Group of Batavia and Rochester's Cornerstone Group are the new owners of the building located at 250 Mill Street in the city of Rochester. The building will be transformed into The High Falls Business Center and will offer small office space and business support services for new and growing businesses. (4/27)
RETAIL
Canandaigua - Wendy's Restaurants of Rochester, Inc. is seeking a zoning variance for their new store to be built on 5 & 20 in Canandaigua. The proposed 5,400 square foot building needs a 5-foot variance for additional building height. Tim Horton's doughnut shop will share the space with Wendy's. (3/17)
Canandaigua - Officials for Eckerd's Drug Stores announced it would be closing the old South Main Street location and relocate its employees to the new facility being built on North Main Street. The new site is scheduled to open July 29th and sometime around that date, the store at 401 South Main will close. A Tim Hortons is being built next door and is slated to open in the fall. (5/20)
Canandaigua - Kellogg's Pan-Tree Inn on Lakeshore Drive across from Kershaw Park has been listed for sale for $850,000. The price includes the restaurant and motel outbuildings located on its 2.7 acre parcel. The Inn has been in operation since 1927 and is still run by the Kellogg family. If the property sells, it will be the third parcel to sell across from Kershaw Park this year. (6/10)
Greece - Town officials have confirmed the rumor that Walmart has expressed an interest in moving to Northgate Plaza, although no application has been submitted. The town has talked with the retailer about a number of design issues they would like Walmart to address. Northgate Plaza was built 50 years ago and was once home to McCurdy's department store and Star Market. (3/18)
Greece - Wegmans Food Markets Inc. received approval to build off Latta Road. Chase-Pitkin will replace the Wegmans supermarket at 3177 Latta Road and a new grocery store will be built next to it. The new store will be 130,000 square feet. (3/26)
Greece - Christa Development and the Bank of Castile are seeking site plan approval for 3 commercial buildings to be built on Long Pond Road. Christa plans to build a 6,000 square foot optical service store and a 4,200 square foot building for Duncan Donuts and Charter One Bank. The Bank of Castile plans to build a 2-story, 7,200 square foot bank north of the YMCA. (6/2)
Henrietta - Patrick Pontiac GMC Jeep is planning a move from its current location to Lehigh Station Road which will double the size of the car dealership. An application submitted to the Town calls for a 55,000 square foot showroom with a full-service restaurant, children's play area and more than 40 service bays. Patrick employs 115 full-time and 12 part-time employees and sold more than 3,000 cars last year. The new facility could be open in 2006. (4/1)
Henrietta - South Town Plaza is finishing up its final touches of a $4 million in improvements. When completed, it will be the largest renovation in the strip-malls 50 year history. The exterior now has a beige stucco look with new signage. Finishing touches are being done on the smaller stores. The owners have 2 new tenants secured and is actively pursuing others. (4/30)
Henrietta - The Bahama Breeze restaurant in Henrietta was closed by its owner, Darden Restaurants, Inc. The 8,500 square-foot restaurant opened in June 2001, had 84 employees and could seat 220. Company officials said the restaurant hadn't met sales expectations and the location did not match the company's business model. Darden also closed 5 other Bahama Breeze restaurants in Denver, Austin, Dallas and Phoenix. (5/12)
Irondequoit - An apparel and home store will open in Irondequoit's Culver Ridge plaza later this year. A.J. Wright will be located in the former Vix location occupying 28,000 square feet. The new chain currently operates 100 stores and is part of the same company that owns T.J. Maxx and Marshalls. (4/30)
Manchester - Plans to tear down the old Red Jacket school have been delayed due to the amount of asbestos found in the building. Before the building can be demolished to make way for a 60,000 square foot retail plaza, it has to pass the state DEC inspection. The project could be on hold until sometime next year. (4/14)
Perinton - Tops supermarket on Pittsford-Palmyra Road will close to begin a 3 month renovation. The 8 year old store will be Rochester's first Super Tops with expanded product and services. 40 more workers will be added once the new store re-opens. (5/1)
Rochester - In a move to return to its roots as developer and entrepreneur, Benderson Development Co. Inc. sold 18.8 million square feet of retail space to Developers Diversified Realty of Ohio. The properties were spread over 10 states including more than 1.5 million square feet in the Rochester area. The $2.3 billion deal was one of the largest retail transfers ever. When the Benderson deal is closed, DDR will own or lease more than 100 million square feet of retail space at 470 properties in 44 states. DDR will be in the running as one of the largest holders of retail space in the country. The Benderson purchase is the company;s first deal in upstate New York. (4/4)
Rochester - Wegman's officials revealed details to the public regarding the expansion of its East Avenue Store. The preliminary plan includes a 90,000 square foot store, underground parking, and a 15,000 quare foot mezzanine with seating and a terrace. The current store would remain open while the new store is constructed behind it. (4/22)
Rochester - Jillian's restaurant in the High Fall's district will remain open even though the parent company has filed Chapter 11. The 41,000 square foot club is part of a chain of 33 restaurants owned by a Louisville, KY firm. A purchase agreement has been signed for 30 restaurants, but the Rochester site is not part of the buyout because it is not making enough money. Owners are hoping another bidder will step forward and take all of 33 Jillian's properties. (5/26)
Victor - The 62,500 square foot expansion of Eastview Mall has surpassed everyone's expectations with sales up 10% for the first quarter of 2004. The total mall sales increased 18% as compared to the same time last year. The new $25 million wing hosts 3 restaurants with valet parking and 4 large upscale specialty stores. In addition, 2 new venues have been added, Banana Republic and Coach along with an avante garde ice cream parlour. Mall owners are in negotiations with Nordstrom, another large department store, to occupy a space in the new wing. (5/2)
Victor - Plans were submitted to the Village Planning Board to build a Dunkin' Donuts at 167 W. Main Street, the site of Papa Jack's Ice Cream. Owners of Papa Jacks will moving to 261 W. Main Street on property shared by Cretekos Diner, which they also own. Final approval of plans will be granted to Duncan Donut's once the details of an easement with a neighboring property owner are worked out. (3/17 & 5/20)
Victor - Construction began on a two story, 4,000 square foot log building just outside the village on Route 96. The Wine Trek Gift Co. will be a gallery/gift shop and will open in October. Other tenants will be a tourist information office and a auto-racing and car-buff shop. (6/2)
INDUSTRIAL
Geneva - Construction has begun on the first building of the Cornell Agriculture and Food Technology Park which will house biotechnology firms doing research. Gov. George Pataki was on hand to ceremoniously toss the first shovel of dirt. The 20,000 square foot building is expected to create 80 jobs and will enable businesses to conduct research in food, agricultural and other technologies that might have left New York. Disease, pest control, and pharmaceuticals are examples of what will be researched. Eight firms have expressed interest in locating to the new site. Financing is being sought for the Ag Park's second building, which may house a grape genetics facility unlike any other in the world. When completed, the Ag Park will be 375,000 square feet of research and development space at an estimated cost of $86 million. (4/19)
Greece - A former Eastman Kodak building in Greece will be the site of Legends LLP, a trading card distribution business. Khuri Enterprises LLC will buy building no. 507, a 396,000 square foot facility, and part of a 25-acre parcel. Currently, Legends has a distribution facility in Pittsford and corporate offices on Culver Road in Irondequoit. The new facility will consolidate both locations and 75 jobs will be added. Renovations to the building include adding a glass face to the Ridgeway Avenue side and an entrance leading directly to the corporate offices. Legends processes and ships approximately 400 million trading cards a year. (6/2 &6/3)
Rochester - Eastman Kodak Co. announced that it would add about 60 manufacturing jobs at its Windsor, Colorado facility instead of adding the jobs in Rochester. Demand has increased for a popular home printer and a line of store-based self-serving imaging kiosks. The ribbons used to help convert the images to prints has been manufactured in Colorado and expansion seemed logical. Rochester makes the special paper used in the printer and kiosks and demand for that has also been growing. Kodak has placed about 50,000 PictureMaker kiosks worldwide. (3/23)
Rochester - Zweigle's Inc. is adding 16,000 square feet to their Plymouth Avenue plant which will almost double its size. The expansion should help the hot dog company produce enough product to supply new territories. Zweigle's is 124 years old, which manufactures meat and sausage products with 50 employees and sales of $8 million annually. (4/2)
Rochester - The Case-Hoyt printing facility is in the final stages of shutting down as officials and real estate agents work to sell the building. St. Ives of London owns the printing company which announced in January its plans to shut down. Union oficials had hoped to negotiate with St. Ives and keep the plant open. Case Hoyt prints has produces award winning catalogs and brochures and employed 290 people. In its fiscal year ended August 1, 2003, it lost $3.3 million on sales of $36 million. (4/16)
Rochester - Negotiations over the last 6 months were successful as Hickey Freeman clothing manufacturer announced plans to stay in Rochester. The deal that kept the manufacturer in Rochester was the $7 million needed for renovations to the 100 year old factory; $4 million will be coming from the state, $1.2 million from the city and $2 million from the company. Operations would have moved to Chicago if a deal had not been struck. (5/13)
RESIDENTIAL
Canandaigua - City officials will compromise with Ward I residents over the proposed rezoning which would have allowed homes to be built on smaller lots. Two developers have proposed 130 new homes in neighboring developments and requested rezoning in order to have their projects proceed. Residents of Ward I voiced concerns over traffic, safety, property value and drainage from a nearby wetland. The City Council voted to allow some, but not all, of the smaller lots the developers requested. The next step is to address the request by Cayer Builders to build single-family attached homes which would require rezoning. The City Council is considering revamping how it zones for residential development as attached housing is popular among baby-boomers. (4/29)
Canandaigua - A 16.9 acre trailer park located on Saltonstall Street has been sold to a land-holding company from Michigan. The Canandaigua Mobile Home Park sold for $1.82 million and includes about 87 privately owned mobile homes. This was the third trailer park to be sold in Canandaigua in a six-week period. Two of the parks are located on the lakefront and sold for $1.6 million, combined. One owner has plans to build condominiums on the trailer park situate across from Kershaw Park. (5/30)
Canandaigua - A Fairport builder purchased the property of Rockcastle Florists on the corner of Gibson and Charlotte Streets. Rockcastle's three commercial greenhouses that have stood for seven decades will be torn down. Newcastle Home Construction Corp. of Fairport plans to build 5 custom homes on the property. The homes will range from 2,400 to 2,600 square feet and starting costs will be around $260,000. (5/23)
East Bloomfield - The Town Board of East Bloomfield and the developer of Kelley's Landing moved to strike a deal to repair the road running through the subdivision. Fish Brook Run has been down to a single lane due to improper drainage and paving. A new road base, grading and drainage will be part of the work to rebuild the damaged roadway. The developer will also seek approval from the Town for the next phase of development for another 50 new homes for the area. (5/2)
Finger Lakes - Demand for lakefront properties in the Finger Lakes remains high as property values continue to rise. Canandaigua Lake property values increased 54% from 1999 to 2003, the median price in 2002 to 2003 was $341,000 to $525,100. Area listings show that fewer lakefront properties are being put up for sale, which also impacts the rising property values. The shift from a vacation home to a year-round homes is a significant factor in the market's low supply of lake shore properties. (5/14)
Greece - The Planning Board approved the Richland Townhomes project which will put 59 townhouses on 11.84 acres between West Ridge Road and Maiden Lane. The upscale townhomes will be one story ranging from $150,000 to $250,000. The buildings will have a cedar style siding and the development will have street lights and carriage lights on each building. A homeowner's association will be enacted to maintain the common area. The land was zoned for townhomes in order to help ease the major commercial development nearby. (3/25)
Henrietta - Town Board members unanimously approved a 9 month moratorium on new residential development south of the thruway. Officials will use the time to consider changes to zoning and the Comprehensive Land Use Plan to try and deal with the major influx of residential construction. The moratorium will not affect developments all ready submitted to the town. Residential development has spread steadily from the highly developed area north of the thruway to the south which is still mostly rural. In the past year about 500 acres of farmland has been turned into residential housing. (4/28)
Henrietta - The first phase of a new apartment complex, Erie Station Village, has been designed after 18th and 19th century New England and New York Towns. Built on 25 acres of green space, the village offers 155 apartments, lofts and townhouses with a mix of styles from farmhouse, barn and brick rowhouses. A planned 2nd phase of construction includes 150 more units with a daycare center and convenience store. Additional approval from the Town is needed to begin the seond phase which might begin in a year or more. (6/8)
Macedon - A proposed development for Erie Meadows has been submitted to the Planning Board for approval. The 98 acre housing tract is located between the Town Hall and Drumlin Drive. Drawings show the general layout of 123 single family homes which would start at $150,000. (5/4)
Mendon - Ryan Homes has proposed an upscale housing development for the northeast corner of Mendon that would need zoning changes to be approved. Ryan wants to build 64 homes on 87 acres east of Route 64. Zoning laws in Mendon require homes north of the thruway have a lot size minimum of 5 acres. The homes to be built would be single story Cape Cods and have an average selling price of $350,000.00. Neighbors and residents spoke out saying that the development could set a precedent in the town. They argued that changing the zoning laws would allow others the same privileges.(3/18)
Naples - The developer of a proposed 16-home development next to Resevior Creek Golf Course had a study done that proved that the village waterworks had enough capacity to serve the new homes. The builder now has to get the 47-acre parcel rezoned from agricultural to planned unit development, outline environmental issues and test home sites for septic systems. (5/23)
Perinton - A proposal has been withdrawn by Gabrielli Bros. Corp. for the application to develop 33 homes on Garden Drive. The number of homes requested was 10 more than the town would have allowed on the 12.5 acre parcel. The proposal had brought out more than 100 residents in opposition. (5/3)
Pittsford - A developer wants to build a 32-house tract on 48 acres which is located in a portion of the former Tinker-Aldrige farm on Calkins Road. The farm is part of Pittsford's original Greenprint plan. Part of the farm is also located in the town of Henrietta and is known as Tinker Nature Park. The park is home to a nature center and a historical museum. Pittsford applied for land preservation grants, but was turned down. A number of residents attending the Pittsford Planning Board meeting urged the board to proceed with caution or flat-out deny the proposal. At a Town Board meeting in June, the Calkins Road property was taken off the market and the proposed housing development was dropped. (4/14 & 6/2)
Rochester - After three years, the first phase of the downtown Temple Building rehab is complete. The top floor has 26 units which have all been rented. Improvements included in phase one were underground parking, a renovated elevator system and a retail section added to the main entrance at a cost of $5 million. Phase 2 of the rehab has begun and will cost $1 million. The fourth and thirteenth floor will be revamped to include lofts and a combination of penthouse units. (4/2)
Rochester - Christa Development has started the construction of The Sagamore on East, a 7 story condominium, retail and office space at 130-160 East Avenue. The 107,000 square foot building will be of laid brick and stone in a neoclassical style. The $15 million project and will house 23 condos ranging in price from $350,000 to $600,000. All 23 condos have been sold. (4/23)
Rochester - Construction of a $20 million residential and retail project got underway 9 months after officials broke ground. The Corn Hill Landing secured $15.8 million in financing from HUD, which took longer than expected. Plans include 127 apartments and 29,000 square feet of retail and office space on Exchange Boulevard. Apartment rents will range from $650 for a studio to $1,550 for a 3-bedroom unit. (5/20)
Rochester - A portion of the former St. Mary's Hosptial has been converted into affordable senior living apartments which will open in August. Unity Health Systems will open 33 apartments for low-income seniors in the former professional office wing of the old hospital. Named after Dr. Edward Mott Moore, a chief surgeon from 1858 to 1888 at St. Mary's, Moore Park Senior Apartments offers 1 and 2 bedroom apartments. Tenants will be picked through a lottery system of qualified applicants. (5/2)
Rochester - City officials announced the plan to redevelop River Park Commons by Conifer Realty LLC. River Park is an apartment complex with a high-rise tower and four low rise buildings on Mount Hope Avenue. Long considered an eyesore, River Park was built in 1974 with flat roofs and electric heating. It was designed to house a large number of low income homes. The plan calls for renovating the high-rise building and demolishing the low rise buildings. The project costs are estimated between $30 and $35 million which could begin within a year. (5/29)
Victor - Construction has begun on a 50 unit senior housing complex called Framark Place located 2 blocks from Main Street. The new complex will cost $3.8 million and include 34 one bedroom and 16 two bedroom apartments. Rent will start at $495 for a one-bedroom and $640 for a two-bedroom. The building should be completed by early December. (4/22)
OTHER
Canandaigua - U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Anthony Principi, announced that the Canandaigua V.A. Hospital will remain open. Mr. Principi also announced that an outpatient clinic will be built in Canandaigua at a site to be determined by veterans and community leaders. A plan to move 50 psychiatric beds from the Canandaigua hospital will continue, but will be done over a period of time. With about 800 full-time employees, the V.A. serves a regional population of about 25,000 veterans and contributes about $30 million to the local economy. (5/7)
East Bloomfield - The town board has voted to allow the reopening of an airstrip on County Road 30. The airport will have its old asphalt runway removed and a grass runway will be installed. Only daylight landings and takeoffs will be allowed and expects between 1 to 5 flights per week. There will be no restrooms or aviation services available at the airstrip. A hangar will hold up to 5 planes with access roads plus parking areas. (3/28)
Greece - After years of negotiating, the Town of Greece is finalizing three land purchases of about 140 acres for green space. The Town authorized the purchase of 24.7 acres at 354 Island Cottage Road for $209,057 and 116 acres at 57 No. Greece Road for $855,563. In August, 2003, the Town approved the purchase of 37 acres off of Hogan Point Road for $525,000. The Town will pay for the parcels with money from the town's recreation trust fund and grants. Contributions to the fund are made by developers who will put in $1000 per lot developed in Greece. Town planners are negotiating to acquire several other undeveloped parcels. (4/1)
Greece - At a Town Board meeting, owners of Crescent Beach Hotel were able to introduce their plans for expansion to area residents and neighbors. Town officials approved a special use permit to open an inn and spa and also approved rezoning a .09 acre parcel to restricted business. Local residents support the plans, which include a reconfigured roadway, a 24,535 square foot, three story, 38-room hotel and added landscaping. Several homes will be demolished in order to construct the new facilities. The project is designed to attract tour groups and traffic from the fast ferry. (3/18; 4/22)
Greece - A 49,000 square foot expansion of the Park Ridge Hospital emergency room was approved by the Greece Planning Board. The four phase, $27 million project will triple the size of the emergency department. Construction will begin in July and should be completed by mid-2006. Park Ridge's emergency room was originally built to handle 25,000 patients annually and now treats about 38,000. The expanded department will be able to handle up to 45,000 annually. (5/7)
Henrietta - By September, an 18-hole, 7,000 yard upscale golf course is expected to open at 1233 Lehigh Station Road. The Belfry Golf Club was designed by a world-renowned golf course designer, Dave Thomas, of Britain. Thomas also designed the Belfry Golf Club in England which the Henrietta course is patterned after. This is Thomas' first golf course designed in the United States. Six holes are scheduled for private groups and investors by mid-July, and the remaining by September. The official opening will be in 2005. (5/21)
Hopewell - A revised plan was submitted to the Ontario County Board of Supervisors for approval of a new auditorium on the Finger Lakes Community College campus along with renovations to the Finger Lakes Performing Arts Center. In the $18 million plan, the college would receive a much needed auditorium and classroom space and the shell would receive new lighting and sound system. Last year, a consultant recommended that the 21-year old shell be converted into a year round facility at a cost of $27 million. The Board of Supervisors did not approve that plan. (5/20)
Palmyra - Plans for a multi-million dollar hotel is in the hands of a Henrietta engineering firm for a project which has been in the works for 2 years. Sky Properties of Utah, has contracted with Corneles Engineering PC to design a preliminary plan for approval from the Town Board. The hotel is to be located on the west side of NYS Route 21 on an 8 ½ acre plot. (3/28)
Perinton - The new owner of the Brookwood Inn on Route 96 will be spending about $2 million renovating the 17 year old hotel. Widewaters Hotel Management bought the hotel for $6.1 million in April from HHC LLC. All the rooms in the hotel will be renovated, along with the pool, workout area and meeting rooms. The hotel will cater mostly to the business traveler. (5/25)
Rochester/Toronto - The Canadian government has announced its intention to invest $2 million in a new first-class ferry terminal for Toronto. Another $2 million will be spent annually for customs at the new border crossing. Construction of a temporary terminal will begin in March to handle ferry passengers before the permanent facility is built. The permanent terminal is expect to cost more than $9.5 million. The 284 foot long ferry is capable of carrying 774 passengers and 238 cars. The first trip from Rochester to Toronto will be April 30th. (3/18)
Rochester - The City of Rochester plans to spend $5 million on renovation of the South Avenue Parking Garage. Sears Brown Group was hired by City Council to study the garage and design improvements. Construction could begin in 2005. The proposed improvements include structural repairs, improved lighting and elevators repairs. (3/19)
Rochester - Eastman School of Music has purchased the nearby Lincoln Building at East Avenue and Gibbs Street for an undisclosed amount. The building formerly housed the offices of the Rochester Broadway Theatre League Inc. and will be renovated for its community education division. In another project, a $5 million renovation will begin on the stage area of the Eastman Theatre in early summer. A custom-built shell will be added to the stage which will improve acoustics. The orchestra pit will be fitted with new mechanics and hydraulics. Lighting will be upgraded and more modern rigging will be added as part of the renovations. Work should be completed by October, as the theatre will be closed all summer. Phase 2 will enlarge the theatre lobby and box seats will be added, along with new bathrooms and elevators. (4/16)
Rochester - Construction will begin this fall at The University of Rochester on a $7.8 million expansion of its School of Nursing. The school will add 4 classrooms, an auditorium and seminar room. 10 faculty members will be added to the staff. The university has started a $13.3 million fundraising campaign to pay for the expansion. A Center for Nursing Entrepreneurship and monies for scholarships, renovations and community nursing programs will also be established. A nationwide shortage of nurses along with increasing demands for nursing education has prompted colleges to take on more students. At the U of R, nursing enrollment increased from 327 in 2001-02 to a projected 520 in the fall, 2004. (3/24)
Rochester - Buckingham Properties has purchased the Olde Rochesterville development on Water Street for $1.3 million and has begun $600,000 in upgrades. The property has been renamed Water Street Commons and plans are for restoration of the 65 apartment units, office space and a restaurant. The restoration will include upgrading hardwood floors, appliances, carpet and blinds. (4/16)
Rochester - The Radisson Hotel Rochester Airport was sold recently and has been renamed Park Plaza Rochester Airport. The new owner, Carlson Hospitality Worldwide, will renovate the hotel with jacuzzi's and kitchens as well as exterior improvements. (6/4)
Rochester - Plans have been put on hold as the Rochester Rhinos wait for a geological report on how deep they will be able to dig to build their new stadium. The $22 million soccer stadium was to be built as far as 18 feet below ground. The delay will mostly affect the construction schedule but should be finished in time for the teams 2005 season, beginning in May. (6/9)
Victor/Farmington - The Board of Volunteers of the Victor-Farmington Ambulance plan to expand its facility by 1800 square feet and renovate its current building. The cost is estimated at $250,000. The original base was built in 1970 and expanded a little in the 1980's. About two-thirds of the money needed for the expansion has been raised by the ambulance corps. (3/28)
Webster - Residents passed a proposal in a vote to preserve 1,020 acres of open space located throughout the town. A similar proposal in April of 2002 for $22 million was rejected by voters. The new proposal is a $5.9 million acquisition of various properties throughout the town. The town received $1.77 million in county, state and federal farmland protection grants which will go toward the plan. The proposal will result in a $20-per-year tax increase for homes assessed for $135,000. (4/28)
GENERAL
Canandaigua - Title to the 56 acre waterpark will transfer officially to Troser Recreation Properties, LLC after months of a legal process to foreclose on the bonds purchased in March 2003. The former owner of the bonds, Canandaigua Recreation Development Corp., has since dissolved but still has another step to take in that process with the State of New York. Paradise Waterparks, builder and manager of the waterpark, failed to meet its debt obligations and defaulted after 2 seasons. The new owner, Dan Fuller of Bristol Mountain, is preparing the waterpark for the coming summer season, June 19 through September 6th. (4/23)
Canandaigua - In the coming months of summer, nearly 800 houses are planned to be built on the north end of Canandaigua Lake, which is a huge concern for the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Alliance. A conference has been schedule by the group to illustrate the development around the Lake. Hundreds of other homes have been built in the past decade that drain into Canandaigua Lake. The conference will open up the opportunity for the municipalities to work together to preserve the lake for future generations. (4/26)
Greece - The first phase of the Ridge Road reconstruction is about to be completed as the second phase is set to begin. Phase 1 cost $21 million and covers Route 390 to Handford Landing, a 5.3 mile stretch. The roadway was widened and a median was added to reduce the number of accidents. Phase 2 will begin in the fall with underground utility relocation. The whole project is expected to be completed in the winter of 2007. (4/22)
Henrietta - Construction has begun on the local portion of the Lehigh Trail System which will consist of about 3 miles of raised trails and sidewalks. The trail system will interconnect hiking and bicycling trails following the now defunct Lehigh Railroad railbed. The whole Lehigh Trail System will someday connect communities throughout the Finger Lakes region. Henrietta's portion will follow the old railbed from East Henrietta to Pinnacle Road, cross underneath Erie Station Road, the Thurway and Lehigh Station Road and wind into Veteran's Memorial Park. It will then connect into Brighton's portion of the trail. Costs for the combined Brighton and Henrietta's portion will be $1.4 million and scheduled to open in the fall. (3/24)
Henrietta - NYSDOT officials are beginning the construction phase of a $20 million project to replace Ballantyne Bridge. The Ballantyne Bridge will be expanded from 4 lanes to 8 lanes and also involves rebuilding access to the East River & Scottsville Roads as well as replacing the bridge over Black Creek. New sidewalks and additional turning lanes will part of the improvements included in Jefferson and Ballantyne Roads. The Ballantyne Bridge project is the first phase of a larger $50 million project to rebuild Jefferson Road. (3/31)
Macedon - The Town of Macedon has purchased 5.3 acres next to the landfill on Quaker Road because a study found garbage had been buried there. The acreage, along with the landfill, will be capped-off this year as required by New York State. The town took household and industrial waste at the 18-acre landfill from 1957 to 1977. The landfill was covered with topsoil when it was closed, an acceptable method at the time. A Landfill Closure Assistance Program will help pay for half of the $3.3 million needed to close the site properly. Testing found no hazardous waste buried at the landfill. (5/2)
Naples - Town officials are contacting several communities that have laws regulating wind turbines similar to those planned in the neighboring towns. Two wind farms are planned for Prattsburgh and Italy in Yates County, with 50 windmills each. The Planning Board will review what other towns are doing and set up regulations by the end of the year. South Bristol has effectively banned industrial windmills. The turbines can reach a height of 400 feet and generate electricity to sell (5/23)
Ontario County - A revised plan for economic development was adopted by Ontario County as the Cornell Ag and Food Tech Park and Infotonics begin to collaborate on their future. The County's strategic plan calls for strengthening the process of patenting commercially viable products; develop and retain a world-class work force, ie. Scientists, engineers and designers; to retain and expand existing industries; promote retail development and initiate community programs. (5/14)
Pittsford - A new set of zoning regulations was passes by the Pittsford Town Board for the southwest portion of the town. The new regulations are set on a sliding scale where-by meeting certain criteria, developers could build more homes on a lot. A development that didn't meet any of the criteria and 20 acres in size could have 4 homes. If a developer met all the criteria, one unit per acre would be allowed on lots over 20 acres. The zoning changes establish a special Rural Residential South Pittsford zone, which would allow for subdivisions. (4/14)
Pittsford - The Pittsford Community Library is slated for demolition as construction to build the new library begins. The new 30,000 square foot library will blend with the village's historic community costing nearly $4.1 million. (6/2)
Prattsburgh - Two developers that would like to build energy producing windmills have offered a total of $650,000 in lieu of taxes to the towns of Italy and Prattsburgh. WindFarm Prattsburgh, LLC hopes to build 50 towers, paying $5000 per turbine. Property owners that lease to WindFarm would receive $3000 per windmill per year. The contract would also over any hike in property taxes. Ecogen of West Aurora has proposed a 50 towers with total payments in lieu of taxes of $395,000 for local government and $3000 to landowners for leased space. (4/23)
Rochester - The Greater Rochester International Airport has had to lease three additional parking lots to accommodate overflow as traffic increased 7% in the last 2 months. During the February school break, the airport ran out of parking and used the employee parking for overflow. Monroe County currently operates 5,600 parking spaces for the airport. The growth is partly due to the low-fare carriers now situate at the airport. (4/9)
Rochester - The State Department of Transportation has started work on the replacement of the Interstate 490 Bridge over Genesee River in downtown Rochester. The current bridge was built in the mid-1950's for $2.69 million. A steel arch bridge will give the downtown skyline a dynamic new look and the will be the widest arch bridge in the country at 138 feet. The arches will rise 70 feet above the roadway and the bridge will be 433 feet long. Riverside overlooks and pedestrian walkways will be built under the span and lights will showcase the cables suspending from the arches. The new bridge is part of DOT's $85 million Western Gateway Project to rebuild I-490 which began last year and is expected to be completed in 5 years. (5/7)
Rochester - Another lowfare airline will be making a debut at the Rochester International Airport this summer. Independence Air will fly non stop between Rochester and Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C. The airline will announce its schedule for each of the 50 cities they intend to service sometime in May. Travelers can expect fares comparable to those offered by other low-cost carriers, such as Jet Blue and Air-Tran. (4/9)
