3rd Quarter 2004
ECONOMIC & BUSINESS
Paychex - Paychex ended its fiscal year May 31st with another record despite the 4th quarter 4-cent charge. Revenue was up from $1.1 billion for 2003 to $1.3 billion and earnings of $303 million for 2004 was up from 2003 figures of $293.5 million. For the 4th quarter, a net income of $61.4 million down from $71.3 million from the same period last year. Quarterly earnings were affected by a decision to increase its legal reserves from $10.8 million at the end of the 3rd quarter to $26.6 million. There are 22 lawsuits currently pending against Paychex. A jury awarded $6.4 million to a Texas payroll processor that sued Paychex over licensing agreements. Paychex has about 505,000 business customers in the U.S. up from 375,000 three years ago. (6/25)
Home Sales - Sales of single-family homes rose 37.1% in June from May and 22.6% from June of last year. The median sales price was $110,000, up from last year's figure of $106,000. Sales volume for the first six months was $663.3 million, up 8.4% from the same period last year. (7/14)
Constellation Brands - The alcohol beverage company beat Wall Street estimates for its first quarter, ending 5/31, posting earnings of $51 million, or 45 center per share, up 31% from last year. Strong sales in all of its product categories and a stable grape industry in California contributed to the record earnings. Net sales for the quarter were $927 million, up 20% from last year. (7/1)
Ultralife - Ultralife's Batteries Inc. second quarter results showed a net income of $3.2 million, earning 22 cents a share as compared to last years postings of 16 cents per share. The military has been responsible for much of Ultralife's growth, with numbers likely to increase in the future. Defense sales make up some 60^ of the company's revenues. A five-year contract for rechargeable batteries is up for renewal with the Department of Defense that would be a significant income for the battery company. The company currently produces 37,000 batteries a day, up from 4,900 a year ago. Last year, Ultralife had 40 battery products and now has 114. (7/23)
Bausch & Lomb - B&L sales for the second quarter of 2004 were up 46% from the same time last year boosting income to $41.4 million. Contact lens sales grew 12%, sales of refractive surgery products increased 17%, lens care products were up 7% and pharmaceutical sales grew 11%. Earnings per share were 76 cents as compared to last year's 2nd quarter of 53 cents. Wall Street had estimated a 64 centers a share. (7/30)
Ultralife Batteries, Inc. - The Wayne County battery manufacturer posted a 2nd quarter revenue of $28.4 million, up 41% from the same time last year, but because of a $4 million charge, the company reported a loss of $372,000. The company expects a 2004 revenue of $106 million, even though they expect military orders to slow in the 2nd half of the year. Ultralife employs more than 800 in the Rochester area. (7/29)
Cooper Companies - Cooper Companies Inc. has bought Ocular Sciences Inc. for $1.2 billion, which will make Cooper the world's third largest contact lens maker. The lens-manufacturing division, Cooper Vision Inc., is headquartered in Perinton, employs around 1,100 and 200 more jobs will be added in the next two years. Cooper makes specialty lenses and concentrates on the professional optometric customer. The estimated 2004 fiscal revenue for Cooper Vision is $385 million. (7/29)
Greater Rochester Airport - Air traffic in July was the highest in at least 15 years with 127,957 passengers flying out of Rochester. The report from Monroe County showed a 7% increase from the same time last year, and 12% higher than June, 2004. Airport officials believe fewer travelers are flying out of Buffalo because of cheaper airfares. Three low-fare carriers have been added to the Rochester Airport in the last 4 years: JetBlue, AirTran and Independence Air. Thirty percent of the passengers for the first 7 months of 2004 used the low-fare airways. (9/2)
Fast Ferry - After three months of service, the highspeed ferry was docked indefinitely because of mounting debt and administrative conflicts. The Ferry's company, CATS, has accrued a debt of $1.7 million since service started on June 18th of this year. Unexpected and expensive bills, higher than expected fuel costs and U.S. Customs not allowing commercial vehicles are among the problems which led to the Ferry being docked. Officials from Austal Ships, the ship builder, and its financial backer, AEFIC will meet with CATS and Rochester officials to discuss the future of the ferry. (9/8 & 9/14)
OFFICE
Pittsford - A project to renovate the old Pittsford Flour Mill into office space has been put before the Architectural and Preservation Review Board. The Mill is located in Schoen Place and has been vacant since the 1990's. The idea is to convert the concrete silos into eight stories of office space. Three older silos would be torn down as well as a warehouse and an addition to the original Mill. The proposal is under review by the Village Planning Board. (7/14)
Rochester - The University of Rochester is buying the former Wyeth Lederle laboratory in Henrietta to set up a center for the study of cardiovascular disease. Around 120 scientists from the UR will move to the Bailey Road facility and become one of the largest heart research centers in the United States. The U of R will receive around $15 million in funds this year for heart research and conduct more than 100 studies involving cardiovascular disease. (8/26)
Victor - The proposed High Point Office Park is getting resistance from the public concerned about traffic and environmental issues. Area neighbors are also concerned about having the town setting a precedent by allowing developers to rezone residential land into a planned development district. The developer has plans to make the congested Route 96 safer with an additional lane at High Street as soon as the project gets approval. Builders plan to mimic the nearby historic area using fieldstone fronts and slate for the roof. High Point Office Park is a 548,000 square foot development to be built behind Cobblestone Court on Route 96. (8/5)
RETAIL
Canandaigua - Wegman's has submitted plans for a 2,100 square foot addition to their Market Café at their store on Routes 5 & 20. City Council is considering the plan but wants Wegman's to build a bridge to connect to Lagoon Walk Park behind the supermarket. (8/18)
Chili - The Kmart located near the Chili-Paul Plaza is expected to close next March and be replaced with a Sears Grand. Sears is hoping to turn around declining sales with a new concept of "open-air" stores that typically are between 150,000 and 200,000 square feet. Along with hard and soft goods, the Grand stores will offer food items. The first Sears Grand is expected to open in Salt Lake City in September and five other openings are planned for 2005. (8/28)
Gates - Benderson Development Co. will begin construction on the old FWS Plaza on Howard and Spencerport Roads. The roadway and entrances will be redirected to make way for a rebuilt Friendly's restaurant, Chase Bank , as well as a new Aldi grocery and Eckerd drugstore. The plaza will be renamed Gates Plaza. (7/28)
Henrietta - Kohl's Department Stores has begun its hiring process for its 3 area stores opening in October. Each store will have 150 full and part time employees and be close to 88,000 square feet of retail space. The department store offers discounted prices on items such as small appliances, clothing and shoes. Locations of the new stores are 3150 West Henrietta Road in Henrietta, 4100 West Ridge Road in Greece and 925 Holt Road in Webster. (8/4)
Irondequoit - The same company that owns TJ Maxx and Marshalls retail stores opened A.J. Wrights in Culver-Ridge Plaza. The store features fashionable, name-brand goods at comparatively low prices. This is the first A.J. Wright to be located in the Rochester area and the 12th in New York state. (8/12)
Irondequoit - Owners of Irondequoit Mall, Madison Marquette of Minnesota, have put the retail center up for sale. A plan for re-inventing the mall never materialized as stores continued to close. The real estate brokerage firm handling the sale said the owners have not set a sales price for the mall and are considering all bids. Irondequoit Mall was built in 1990 by Wilmorite Inc. for $80 million. (9/2)
Perinton - A new grocery story opened in the Perinton Square Mall at the former Tops Market. Martin's Super Food Market operates on a "everyday low price program", whereas Tops used the high-low pricing policy of which emphasizes more sales prices. Both Tops and Martin's are a subsidiary of Giant Foods and Martin's will carry the Giant brand. The 92,000 square foot store will employ between 100 and 250 people and includes more checkout stations, wider aisles and a larger natural food section. (9/9)
Rochester - The Rudnik's Unfinished Furniture store will close after 50 years in the furniture business. The business was started in 1953 specializing in unpainted furniture, allowing the buyer to finish it with a personal touch. The 3,600 square foot store felt business significantly declined over the last 3 to 4 years as owners blamed the economy and layoffs at area companies. (6/22)
Rochester - The assets of Jillian's Entertainment will be auctioned of in late September, which hold 35 venues nationwide. The Jillian's Restaurant and Club on Commercial Street in the High Falls district may not be included in a buy-out of its company assets because it was not making enough money. Bids are being accepted for all or part of the clubs and must be submitted by September 14th. (8/11)
Victor - A new proposal has been submitted to the Victor Town Board for a 324,000 square foot Wal-Mart Supercenter near the 490/Thruway interchange. This is the second proposal by Benderson Development Corp. for building a Wal-Mart store. The first plan was submitted in 2003 for an 800,000 square foot retail center which was denied after area neighbors petitioned against the proposal. (9/7)
Waterloo - North America's largest shopping mall owner, Simon Property Group, has purchased Chelsea Property Group, for $3.5 million. Chelsea operates 60 outlet shopping malls, including the Waterloo Premium Outlets in Junius, Seneca County. Simon currently owns or has an interest in 250 properties located in 37 states, including Cobblestone Court across from Eastview Mall. (6/22)
Webster - Phase one of Towne Center shopping plaza is nearly complete and developers are ready to start building the next stage of the three phase project. Architectural designs for phase 2 will be presented to the Planning Board even though the whole project has been approved. Once finished, the $40 million, 720,000 square foot plaza off Holt Road will be the largest shopping destination in Webster. Kohl's, Dick's Sporting Goods, Target, Old Navy are a few of the retailers committed to the new plaza. (9/7)
Webster - A proposal for a Wendy's/Tim Horton's/Summit Federal Credit Union on Ridge Road, across from the Town Hall, was submitted to the Town Planning Board. If approved, construction could be completed by the end of the year. (7/5)
INDUSTRIAL
Henrietta - Eastman Kodak announced its intention to sell 150 acres of its Riverside marketing and research facility along the Genesee River. The property includes a 381,000 square foot laboratory and conference center. Kodak has met with the Town Planning Board for approval to subdivide the land. The company has not proposed any changes to the land. The 150 acres is part of a larger 383 acre parcel that Kodak owns. All together, the total assessed valued is $11.2 million. (7/21)
Henrietta - Developer Laurence Glazer purchased a 48.5 acre property from Schlegel Systems Inc. for $7.9 million. The property at 1555 Jefferson Road includes a 348,400 square foot building which manufactures weather stripping and occupies 200 employees. Schlegel is leasing back the building from Glazer for an undisclosed amount. Glazer has an interest in many types of real estate development in Rochester, including Olde Rochesterville, and the revival of warehouses on University Avenue and Monroe Avenue retail. (7/23)
Rochester - A ground breaking ceremony was celebrated as Zweigle's Inc. broke ground on their $4 million expansion. A 16,000 square foot addition will meet the growing demand for Zweigle hot dogs and broaden their market. The company hopes to move into a second phase of expansion in 5 years, which would include new office facilities. The 124 year old family-owned business is now in its fifth generation running the company. (7/22)
Rochester - Delphi Corp., an automotive parts manufacturer, is considering a $55 million upgrade to its Lexington Avenue plant. The project would create 157 jobs and allow upgrades to its plastic injection mold machines and other equipment. Delphi employs about 1980 people and another 500 at a research center in Henrietta. (6/25)
Rochester - The University of Rochester has agreed to buy the former Praxis Biologics, Inc research facility in Henrietta. The financial details have not been disclosed but officials said that it was a multimillion dollar purchase. U of R plans on establishing a new research center for the study of cardiovascular diseases. More than 200 scientists and technicians will move from the U of R Medical Center which will put all cardiac research under one roof. (8/27)
RESIDENTIAL
Canandaigua - A plan to build a 60-unit condominium complex across from Kershaw Park was introduced to the City Council by a Bloomfield developer. The 5.5 acre parcel on Lakeshore Drive includes plans for parking on the first floor and exclusive penthouses on the 6th floor. The condos would cost an average of $300,000. City Council had hoped for retail and office space on the first floor which is part of the city's vision for Lakeshore Drive. Formal application has not been submitted and the City urged the developer to get involved with a private study for future development of Lakeshore Drive. The plan was later rescinded by the owner, who now has the property up for sale. Asking price per acre is $300,000. (7/21)
Canandaigua - Two parcels of vacant land on Lakeshore Drive are about to change hands. A 6.7 acre parcel at the corner of Lakeshore Drive and Muar Street has an accepted purchase offer and plans to subdivide. Another lot at 10-12 Lakeshore Drive will be ready to close once environmental issues are worked out. Both parcels are owned by the Boyce-Fargo family. (8/6)
Chili - The Town Zoning Board upheld its decision in a request to overturn their ruling that rejected the plans for a senior housing development near the Chili Center wetlands. The plan proposed a senior housing development on a 36 acre site which drew determined opposition from town residents concerned about the wetlands within the site. The Zoning Board also rejected the plans because of lack of compliance with the town's Planned Neighborhood zoning provisions. (6/24)
Greece - A subdivision plan was submitted to the Town Board which would put 31 cluster lots on 42.7 acres off of North Greece Road. Chatham Estates subdivision will be an upscale development offering homes for $400,000 and up. Eight acres of wetlands are included in the plans which would be turned over to the town to manage. A number of variances would have to be issued as the lots sizes are purposely non-conforming. (8/12)
Henrietta - Town Board officials have decided to sue First Niagara Bank over a partially built senior housing development, Autumn Woods, on Lehigh Station Road. A letter of credit for $178,600 was issued by the bank which assured the town funds would be available if the builder failed to finish the project. Negotiations are underway between the First Niagara and town officials. (9/15)
Rochester - The vacant Artcraft Optical building has a preliminary contract for purchase from a developer that wants to renovate the building into a mix of lofts and office space. Plans are for office space on the first 2 floors with 48 rental lofts on the top 5 floors. The renovations could cost upwards of $4 million and would begin in 2005. (7/24)
Rochester - The Medical Arts Building located on Alexander Street has been rehabilitated into an energy efficient mixed-use complex and was the featured attraction at the Energy 2004 workshop. Flower City Management bought the building in 2002 and started a $4 million renovation which should be complete by next summer. The top five floors house 31 residential units and the bottom five will be commercial space. A geothermal heating, venting and air conditioning system has been installed which is 75% more efficient than gas furnaces. This is the first building in the region to be registered on the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program. (8/13)
Webster - The first phase of a $46 million senior living development is expected to be completed within a year by St. Ann's Community. The "Cherry Ridge" project is located off Ridge Road on 41 acres and will consist of 55 cottage homes, 71 apartment units, 51 assisted living suites and 24 Alzheimer units. This is one of the most ambitious developments to go up in Monroe County, although there are no specific plans for phase two or beyond. 70% of the units in the project's first phase have been sold. (9/3)
OTHER
Canandaigua - The sale of Roseland Waterpark is almost complete. Troser Recreation Properties LLC must purchase the park's non-real estate assets in the last step of foreclosure proceedings. Troser has all ready paid $400,000 for the land and buildings, a fraction of the $17 million it cost to build in 2000. The waterpark was almost sold for scrap last year as its owner, Paradise Waterparks, could not meet its debt load. The sale of the non-real estate assets, such as paddle boats, lounge chairs, computers, and equipment, will take place some time in August. (7/19)
Canandaigua - The Kellogg's Pan Tree Inn and Restaurant on Lakeshore Drive sold for $850,000 to a local restaurateur from Macedon. The 2.7 acre parcel has been in the Kellogg family for 3 generations as a seasonal business which began in 1927. The new owner will open "Miceli's Lake View Villa" on New Year's Eve offering steak, seafood and barbeque along with a full bar. Breakfast will be served on weekends and Kelloggs famous sticky buns will stay on the menu. (7/27 & 8/19)
Canandaigua - The planners of the Canandaigua Airport hosted a final public-information workshop regarding the airport expansion at the hangar on Brickyard Road. Nearly 30 people attended the meeting concerned about flight patterns and air traffic. Back in February, the proposal had attracted more than 100 people at a meeting who expressed opinions for and against the idea. Still in the planning stages, the project may break ground in 2007. (728)
Canandaigua - The Finger Lakes Community College has leased space from the VA Medical Center for their EMS training program. The new space will provide 5 classrooms, meeting rooms, along with office space for FLCC staff and the Finger Lakes Regional EMS Council. The VA has 118,000 square feet of vacant space which was cited as one of the reasons for closing last year. FLCC will lease approximately 18,000 square feet which would have otherwise been vacant. (7/16) The lease agreement has been canceled by the VA Secretary. (7/22) Veterans Affairs Secretary, Anthony Principi, has since changed his mind and will allow the college to lease space for its EMS program. The secretary reconsidered the lease and felt obligated to let the lease go forward. (8/19)
Greece - Ground should be broken by the end of the summer for a $2.6 million hotel and restaurant on Edgemere Drive. The 27,000 square foot building will include 38 rooms and spa and will create 43 new jobs. (7/23)
Honeoye - The former site of J&S Conveyors on East Main Street was found to be contaminated by the DEC. The manufacturer of steel-belted conveyors from 1981 to 1997, J&S abandoned the property and the state discovered drums containing hazardous paint solvents. The drums had leaked and soil near the facility was found to contain traces of xylene and toluene and paint chips containing lead. The new owner of the property, Clean Air Design, has agreed to pay for the cleanup and will develop or use the property. (7/16)
Mendon - Even though a court decision is pending, owners of the Tennis Heaven Swim and Tennis Club decided to go ahead and open after 3 years of court battles with neighbors. People can play tennis on 8 newly surfaced hard courts and league programs are underway. The clubhouse is still under renovation and only a few clay courts are useable. The Mendon Ponds Neighborhood Association has said that the Zoning Board improperly issued a building permit for renovation after the property had been abandoned. The case is now before the State Supreme Court. (7/1)
Palmyra - Plans for a motel on Route 21 was given a preliminary site plan approval by town officials, but a few more specifications need to be met before moving forward. Utah-based Sky Properties is planning to build "Palmyra Inn" on a 9.5 acre parcel. Sky Properties also plans to offer between 18 to 24 college courses in the spring and fall at the motel. Construction could start as soon as this fall. (7/2)
Penfield - The proposed YMCA has been put on hold until a limited traffic study addressing the increased traffic concerns is complete. A conditional-use permit and site-plan approval has been requested for a 65,000 square foot YMCA facility situate on 52 acres on Route 250. A public hearing will follow once the study is complete. Five area business and a number of residents filed a lawsuit against the Planning Board and the YMCA in April over the legality of the conditional use permit. The suit was dismissed and the group has since submitted an appeal. (8/27)
Perinton - The Perinton Community Center opened its $5.8 million aquatics center, being one of three located in the State of New York. The new 22,036 square foot building features a 3,300 square foot lap pool, a whirlpool, a leisure pool with water slide and a water channel. The community center is open to everybody. Residents outside of Perinton will pay more to use the facility. Town officials recognized the need for a pool 5 years ago and were able to set aside funds to pay for the entire cost. Only two other community centers are located in New York State, one being in Skaneatlas and the other is located at the Rochester Institute of Technology. (9/8)
Rochester - An ambitious proposal to revitalize downtown was made public by Thomas C. Wilmot, chairman of Wilmorite. Wilmot is envisioning the Sibley Building become a 400 room hotel and Midtown Tower be replaced with a casino and arts center. The whole project would cost upwards of $500 million. As many as 1,300 workers would be employed and the casino could attract 10,000 to 18,000 people to downtown daily. The proposal is now being introduced to community groups and neighborhoods for input. (7/1)
Rochester - The Rochester Rhinos will finally begin construction on the new soccer stadium after 6 months of delays, revisions and new designs. Initially, the stadium would have been built mostly below ground, but studies of the soil stability and groundwater level forced changes in the design. Now, the stadium will rise 50 feet above the ground in a horseshoe shape, similar to Frontier Field. The new plans add $1.25 million to the stadiums $22 million price and should be ready for the 2005 season. (7/8)
Rochester - A developer has introduced plans to rehabilitate the west end of Monroe Avenue near the Innerloop and Marshall Street into the Wadsworth Square Historic Shopping District. The plan calls for renovating and rehabilitating a group of buildings in the area which will attract visitors from Strong Museum and the fast ferry. The developer, John A. Darcy Co., has spent several million buying and rehabilitating five buildings in the neighborhood and is currently renovating a building at 192 Monroe Ave. for office, retail & restaurant space. More projects are planned in the area, all with private investments. (7/28)
Sterling - The owners of the Sterling Renaissance Festival have put the property for sale on Ebay, the internet auction service. The venue celebrates the 16th century and consists of 233 acres and draws up to 100,000 visitors a year. The bids had reached the $1 million mark but had not met the reserve. (8/11)
Webster - Marine Dodge will be doubling their size in a $1.5 million expansion project. The dealership will expand from 10,000 square feet to 21,000 square feet. A body shop, 13-bay service area and remodeled showroom are all included in the expansion. The project should be completed by January, 2005. (6/29)
GENERAL
Canandaigua - Owners of the Thomas Estates Mobile Home Park were put on notice for continued code violations by the Town Board. The renewal of the renting license was tabled in order to give the owners time to correct the violations. 35 of the 200 properties in the park had problems, the most serious being storage of unlicensed vehicles. Some of the homes in the park were missing the skirting required by law, and had broken windows and doors. Enforcement of code violations has become more stringent since the state adopted tougher property maintenance laws. (7/4)
Canandaigua - The Downtown Business Improvement District hopes to expand and include more of downtown side streets. A fee for services to the property owners would include cleaner sidewalks, flowers and snow removal all ready available to the central shopping district. So far, the response from those outside the district has been mixed. (7/30)
Canandaigua - Attendance was down 20% this year for Sonnenberg Gardens due primarily to the rainy summer. All ready in a financial crisis, City and Sonnenberg officials have asked the State to step in and add the grounds to the state park system. For two years Sonnenberg has tried to keep afloat after being taken for more than $400,000 by its former operating officer and foreclosure proceedings were started on a $1.1 million loan. The efforts to adopt the mansion into the State park system would save it from the auction, but State officials need reassurance that there will still be community and financial support. (8/19)
Fairport - The builder of Wisteria Grove on Whitney Road plans to build a 600-foot long, 100-foot wide retention pond on one side of the 23-lot subdivision. At a Planning Board meeting, local residents met with consultants concerned about flooding and mosquitoes. The consultants assured both parties the pond is being built for runoff purposes and the pond will meet DEC standards preventing stagnate water and the breeding of mosquitoes, which can carry West Nile Virus. The Planning Board deferred final approval while the builders can make modifications to the plans. (8/19)
Fiber-Optics - At a meeting of 50 business and community leaders, Ontario County proposed and outlined a 200 mile-long fiber-optics ring that would encompass the whole county. Currently, the county has a fragmented fiber-optics system and high speed internet access is unavailable to many communities. The ring would cost $7.3 million to complete and $400,000 per year to operate and maintain. Residents and businesses would be able to afford state of the art Internet access and benefit from the enhanced communications and information sharing. Cables would be placed along telephone lines which would provide uninterrupted service. (7/14)
Gates - Wegman's Food Markets has proposed to build a new entrance and roadway to its meat processing plant in Chili. A small section of Gates will be affected by the entrance and impact at least 5 homes where the new road will closely abut their backyards. Wegman's plans to build a $40 million meat processing plant and the new roadway would allow truck traffic a direct access to the expressway. Residents at Kernwood Drive in Gates are concerned about traffic, property values and safety. (7/26)
Geneva - A state grant will pay for the landscaping and walkways on a one-acre portion of Castle Creek Park on Seneca Lake. The $250,000 is part of a $6.6 million revitalization project in Geneva to connect the lakefront with the commercial district. (7/27)
Greece - The Department of Environmental Conservation issued $440,000 in grants for 3 separate open space and preservation parcels. $200,000 went to the Town of Greece for the purchase of 49 acres to expand Braddock Bay Fish and Wildlife Management Area; $200,000 for the purchase and repair of a 154 year old building in the village of Brockport; and $40,000 to the First Presbyterian Church in Albion for restoration work. (6/24)
Greece - Town Board members voted to consolidate its Human Services Department into one community center to be built on the Town Hall campus. A 35,000 square foot building will replace 2 buildings currently used by the department. The new building will double capacity, and cost $5.2 million. Construction could start as soon as next spring and be completed by the end of 2005. (7/29)
Macedon - The Town Board rezoned 71 acres on Route 31 from office, research and manufacturing to general commercial. The change will make a continuous stretch of commercial property near the corner of Route 31 and Wayneport Road, just over the Monroe County line. 200 acres will be available for any number of commercial possibilities, which also includes multiple family dwellings with a special use permit. The developer, Laker Development, have no immediate plans for the land. (8/12)
Project Funds - A Senate panel approved $13.5 million to fund projects in the Rochester area. Infotonics in Canandaigua would receive $5 million to help support ongoing operation under the 2005 Defense Department spending bill. RIT would receive $5 million to develop and test high-tech sensors for the military. Another $3.5 million was approved by the Senate for General Motors in Honeoye Falls to create a light-duty truck for the Army fueled with hydrogen-powered fuel cell technology. (6/24)
Rochester - An engineering firm has been hired by the city to design street improvements for West Main Street between Broad and Madison Streets. Included in the project would be street resurfacing, special sidewalks, street lighting and tree plantings. The engineering firm was hired for $90,000 and the street project could cost about $710,000 and begin next spring. (8/9)
Rochester - Monroe Community College has opened its new Construction and Design Institute at its Applied Technology Center in Brighton. The Institute will be offering degree programs in construction, electronics, HVAC, interior design, telecommunications and engineering science. The school also offers certificate programs in small business and recertification for professional programs. 100 students have enrolled for the fall class program. (9/10)
Victor - In a confusing and controversial request, the Victor School's have asked for a $1.3 million contribution from the Farmington Town Board towards the $5.5 million community center to be built on the Victor School campus. The Farmington boards remains skeptical to invest in a civic center for Victor Central School students, some of which are from Farmington. Three school districts divide Farmington residents and those that don't attend Victor will find higher fees to use the rec center when their tax dollars contributed to the conception. Officials in Farmington have tabled their decision for now. (8/13)
