4th Quarter 2004
ECONOMIC & BUSINESS
Eastman Kodak - Work is scheduled to begin on the first phase of the demolition and raising of 18 buildings in Kodak Park, which would reduce annual tax payments to County, City and Schools by $466,000. The project will cost $200 million and be done in 3 phases in 3 years. The demolition of Kodak property located in the City could reduce the taxes Kodak pays by 10.1%. Kodak currently has $83.7 million of property on the tax rolls. The first phase would eliminate $8.4 million of taxable property. Kodak is working with officials from Greece and the city as the project gets underway. All parties want new businesses to move into the sites, which will include parks and landscaped areas. (10/8)
Eastman Kodak - Kodak's digital camera sales are running a close second to Sony in camera shipments. One million digital cameras were delivered by Sony in the 3rd quarter, only 10,000 more than Kodak. Canon Inc. ranked 3rd, Olympus was 4th, followed by other camera makers, Fuji, HP and Nikon. It is estimated that 24 million digital cameras will be sold in the U.S. this year, with sales near $8 billion. (11/21)
Paychex - At its annual shareholders meeting, Paychex celebrated its 14th record year of gross revenues and earnings. Sales totaled $1.3 billion for their 2004 fiscal year, which ran from June 1, 2003 to May 31, 2004. Paychex also reported record earnings for the first quarter of 2005. Net income was $87 million, or 23 cents a share, up from $80.3 million, or 21 cents a share, for the same period last year. Total revenue grew to $345 million, with payroll services increasing 10% to $280.4 million. (9/22 & 10/7)
Paychex - Founder and president of Paychex, B. Thomas Golisano announced he will be stepping down as president and CEO of the company. IBM executive, Jonathan J. Judge, has been tapped as his successor. Mr. Golisano founded Paychex in 1971 with a $3000 investment. Today, Paychex is now one of the biggest payroll providers with 505,000 clients, employing approximately 9,600 workers, 2000 in the Rochester area. (10/4)
Xerox - Xerox posted its 10th consecutive profitable quarter in its 3rd quarter report. Profits were $163 million up from $117 million for the same time last year. Brisk sales of color printers and service contracts were attributed to the success of the quarter. Sales from color products grew 18% form last year and are 24% of Xerox's total sales. As of the end of September, Xerox employees 59,300 worldwide, down 700 from last year, and 8,612 locally, down 300 from 2003. (10/22)
Bausch & Lomb - Bausch & Lomb posted a 3rd quarter profit and earned $43.3 million up from $32.3 million, or 34%, for the same quarter last year. This is the 3rd straight quarter that B & L has posted double digit growth in its contact lenses, eye-care and vision correction products. (10/20)
Jobless Rate - Monthly unemployment figures for the six-county Rochester area fell to its lowest level in August since October 2001. Unemployment was 5.1%, down from July's figure of 5.4%and 5.3% in August 2003. Figures show that 29,100 people are without jobs in Rochester, the lowest number since October 2001, but the area's workforce is smaller. There are 574,400 workers in the area, down from August 2003 numbers of 585,400. Manufacturing employs 79,900 works in the Rochester area in August, down from the August 2003 figure of 86,000. Educational and health service jobs continue to grow with 95,900 employed last month, compared to 94,800 employed in August 2003. (9/24)
Fast Ferry - In an ongoing saga to reinstate service to the Fast Ferry, U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection will now allow commercial trucks on the ferry under certain conditions. Trucks that have been certified with FAST and C-TPAT, two programs that investigate applicants and speed border inspection, will be allowed on the Ferry. The inability to carry commercial vehicles is one of the reasons the Ferry operator, CATS, ceased operating. The company estimated it could make up to $18,000 a day if trucks were allowed aboard. (9/24)
Fast Ferry - Ferry operators, CATS, has found new investors who will submit a proposal to the company's two primary lenders to get the boat back in service. The proposal is expected to include new ownership, management, a new board of directors and an advisory board. Negotiations are still being worked on and hopes are to have the ferry service reinstated by spring. (10/18)
Fast Ferry - In another attempt to save face, city officials have announced a proposal to buy the Fast Ferry from CATS through a government-backed bond purchase. The initial cost would be about $40 million. The goal is to have The Breeze in operation by spring and sail year round. (11/18)
Fast Ferry - Officials at the Australian government that financed the $22.5 million loan for the ferry started foreclosure proceedings, hoping to recover their money invested in the ship. The City's effort to buy the ship from CATS eventually fell apart and the $42.5 million vessel could be sold at a court-ordered auction. In Toronto, the Port Authority announced it would halt construction of its ferry terminal, and build another building for other purposes, if the service doesn't resume. (12/7)
Monro Muffler - Monro Muffler ended its second quarter with record sales reaching $88.4 million, 19% greater that the same time last year. The reported net income of $6.7 million is 13% ahead of last years figures. Expansion plans remain in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic states, with the most recent 5 stores being purchased in Baltimore. Twenty-five Mr. Tire stores were purchased by Monro Muffler earlier this year. (10/15)
Constellation Brands - In an unsolicited bid, Constellation Brands offered to pay $1.3 billion for the California luxury wine maker, Mondavi. The offer includes $970 million in cash to purchase Mondavi's stock and the assumption of a $333 million debt. The acquisition would make Constellation Brands to largest wine company in the country. Mondavi had hoped to sell its premier wine labels but had not received any offers. (10/18)
Delphi Corp. - One of Rochester's largest employer's posted a 3rd quarter loss of $114 million. Delphi Corp. is the world's largest auto parts supplier and employs 2,300 workers at its Rochester plant. The loss amounted to 20 cents per share, but was far less than the loss posted in the same quarter last year of $356 million, or 63 cents per share. Delphi is expected to cut its workforce by 6,000 nationwide by year's end. (10/19)
Pactiv Corp. - After beginning this year restructuring, Pactiv reported a 9% increase in sales for its 3rd quarter. Pactiv produces packaging for food service such as Burger King, Taco Bell and Hefty. Sales for the quarter were $2.5 billion, up from $2.32 million over the same period last year. (10/21)
Homes Sales - October home sales were 12% lower than in September, and 1.7% lower than October, 2003. 2004 still remains 6% ahead of last year's record pace. The number of homes listed in October fell slightly, while remaining 3.8% ahead of 2003's pace. (11/10)
Eastman Kodak - Kodak announced that it will be closing a manufacturing plant in Toronto in mid-2005. The factory manufactures inkjet photo paper and employs 360 workers. Kodak has also closed factories in Australia, England, France and Mexico. The closings are another part of the plan of down-size its operations by one-third worldwide by 2006. (12/10)
Paetec Park - Excavation and site preparation of the future downtown soccer stadium began as crews began work on the 15 acre parcel. After a few years of setbacks, the $23 million stadium is scheduled to open late next summer. The stadium is owned by the Rochester Rhinos, an A-league soccer team. (9/23)
Xerox Corp. - Xerox Corp. has offered an estimated 1500 local unionized workers voluntary severance packages. Many of the employees work in manufacturing at the Webster plant and have until December 30th to accept. The current labor contract protects union workers from involuntary cuts, but Xerox could make the cuts and pay through then end of the contract, which expires in March, 2005. Xerox is the region's third largest employer, with 8,600 workers. (11/5)
OFFICE
Greece - A portion of the Canal Ponds Business Park is up for sale. Approximately 100 acres of undeveloped property located with in the business park will be sold for $100,000 an acre. The land would be subdivided according the buyers requirements. Canal Ponds is one of the area's largest office park complexes with 625,000 square feet of office space. (9/24)
Henrietta - The future site of the engineering and research offices of Imagilent has cleared all DEC inspections and can be sold by the Town. The 15.7 acre parcel was a defunct sewer treatment facility with minor ground contaminants that was cleaned up by the Town. The sale to Imagilent may be finalized as soon as January, 2005. (12/15)
Henrietta - Verizon Wireless is planning to hire another 200 full time employees for its call center by the end of March. Verizon all ready employs 600 in one of its largest call centers. The company stated that brisk customer growth and a skilled local workforce as reasons for the expansion. In their most recent figures, Verizon added 1.5 million new customers nationwide. Verizon Wireless currently employs about 825 people in the Rochester area. (10/7)
Perinton - A Buffalo developer has begun construction of the $5.5 million Basin Meadows Professional Park. The park will have 55,000 square feet of professional and medical office space located at 145 Sully's Trail. The first of three buildings will be available for occupancy by December. Two buildings will be ready for lease by February. (11/5)
Rochester - The construction of an optics and biomedical building is expected to begin in January at the University of Rochester. The five-story, 101,000 square-foot complex will cost $30 million and include offices and laboratories, classrooms, an auditorium, conference rooms, a computer lab and atrium. Completion is targeted for June, 2006. (12/10)
Rochester - University of Rochester paid $4.45 million for the former Wyeth-Lederle site which was originally listed for $16 million. The U of R will invest $3 million in renovations. The building includes specialized labs and clean-rooms with additional office space. A cardiac research center will be established at the new facility. Wyeth expanded into the 84,000 square foot building in 1993 and closed its doors in July, 2003. (10/8)
RETAIL
Henrietta - Benderson Development Co. has closed a $9 million purchase of 40 undeveloped acres and 3 buildings along Jefferson road. A vacant building on the property will be demolished to clear the site for new a shopping center. The properties included in the transfer are Romano's Macaroni Grill, Don Pablo's Mexican Kitchen and 10 acres of vacant land adjacent to Home Depot. The restaurants have long term leases that were transferred in the deal. Benderson hopes to start building the shopping center in 2005. (10/7)
Macedon - Wal-Mart has proposed building a super-center on 25 acres on Route 31 and Wayneport Road. Plans include a 205,000 square foot discount and grocery store and a separate gas station. Sketches include a traffic signal at the main entrance on Route 31 with a secondary entrance on North Wayneport Road. The parking area includes 1,026 parking spaces. (12/2)
Naples - The Town Board and planning officials decided not to rezone a 2.5 acre where a Dollar General had wanted to build. Instead, the Planning Board has recommended that the town review zoning in the proposed area to include more land instead of zoning parcel by parcel. The Dollar General site is at the Route 21 and County Road 12 intersection. The matter was sent back to the Planning Board. (9/24)
Pittsford - The furniture store, Lauer's Furniture, located across from Pittsford Plaza on Monroe Avenue, will be closing. After struggling with poor sales for a number of years, the store will be closing sometime after Thanksgiving. Lauer's employs about 20 people. (9/17)
Rochester - The Wegmans store on Mt. Hope Avenue has been sold to the University of Rochester for approximately $990,000. The Hess gas station in front of the property was not part of the sale. No long-term plans have been made for the property . Wegmans had closed the 30,000 square-foot store in 2003. (9/22)
Rochester - The Jillian's nightclub in the High Fall's district was not included in a $64.8 million deal to purchase 35 restaurants in 20 states in a bankruptcy auction. The club had been losing $400,000 a year and no bidders have been interested in the 5-year-old restaurant. A number of reasons for the restaurant closing were stated, including the economy, location and size of the restaurant. (10/8)
Victor - Two buildings are being proposed to the Planning Board for a site off Route 96, near High Street, that would house upscale retail shops. One building would be 30,000 square feet which could house Best Buy, Barnes & Noble and Bed, Bath & Beyond. The second building would be 3,250 square. The Planning Board is concerned about traffic in an all ready congested area; and the site's proximity to the historical district. (10/31)
INDUSTRIAL
Macedon -The former Hauser Corporation on Blue Heron View will stay open and continue to employ its 60 metal-workers. Millennium Machining of Michigan bought the plant for $5.5 million in August and hopes to add 145 jobs over the next three years. The company will continue to sell automotive parts to the auto industry. (10/20)
Marion - Seneca Foods, Inc. closed operations of its processing facility in Marion, Wayne County and in Walla Walla, Washington. In a Security & Exchange filing, Seneca Foods said the closing should improve the company's cost structure. (12/2)
Medina - BMP America Inc. has begun construction of its $1.8 million expansion, doubling the size of its current facility. A 40,000-square-foot addition should be completed in the spring. BMP currently employs 120 workers and manufacturers equipment for the office automation industry. (11/26)
Rochester - A ribbon cutting ceremony was held at Klein Steel Service Inc., a new manufacturing and distribution plant located on Vanguard Parkway. The new plant is a metal processing and distribution center and employs 71 workers. (10/27)
RESIDENTIAL
Gates - A subsidized senior housing development, St. Jude's Apartments, on Lyell Avenue has begun construction of 40 additional apartments that could be completed by next fall. The $3.6 million project was funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The St. Jude's Apartments are available to seniors 62 and older with income of $20,600 or less. The apartments measure 600 square feet with one bedroom, living room, kitchen & bath. (10/22)
Greece - Plans for a subdivision were approved by the Town Planning Board for development of 42.7 acres located in North Greece. Chatham Estates plans include 31 upscale cluster homes with large areas of open space and wetlands. Homes will be sold for $400,000 and be placed in a circular subdivision with one entrance. The open space will be placed in a permanent conservation easement and remain forever wild. (10/28)
Greece - Plans were recently approved by the town Planning Board for a $32 million renovation of Orchard Place, a 47-acre, 550 unit housing complex. Renovations to the interior will include new bathroom fixtures, windows and appliances. The exterior plans call for new roadways and sidewalks, a fitness trail, playground and pavilion, plantings, new light poles, security cameras and a security guard. The apartment buildings will also be converted to gas heat. Officials of the complex are working with RTS to add a new bus stop near the complex. (11/4)
Greece - Plans for building the proposed Raspberry Pass subdivision will proceed even though area neighbors had voiced their opposition. The subdivision is located near North Greece Road and connect to Raspberry Patch Drive. Plans call for 26 homes on 18.5 acres and will cost $280,000 and consists of 2 cul-de-sacs. (11/11)
Henrietta - A new subdivision was proposed for 484 homes near the Riverton Golf Course. Berkshire Park would be located between Scottsville-West Henrietta Road and Moore Road on 308 acres. The homes would range from $120,00 and $200,000 and the whole subdivision would be constructed in 8 phases over the next 8 to 10 years. (11/14)
Perinton - Two projects in front of the Town Planning Board have been given the go-ahead after some public resistance. The Golden Phoenix apartment project will covert the existing 12-room motel into 5 apartment units in two phases. The second project, a subdivision off of Kreag Road near Route 31, subdivides the property into 14 building lots. Neighbors were concerned about the density of homes and storm water runoff. The Bentley Park Subdivision plans received preliminary site plan approval except for density. All 14 lots currently proposed may not be approved. (122)
Rochester - The former Harry Forman building on St. Paul was sold for an undisclosed amount. The new owners wants to spend $1 million to renovate it into a mix of apartments and retail space. The three-story building will have a third floor loft, second floor apartments and ground level retail. A city loan of $250,000 will help with the renovations. All renovations should be complete by the fall of 2005. (12/3)
Victor - Mark IV Construction submitted a proposal to the Planning Board for a subdivision on Gillis Road that includes 180 townhouses and a 9-hole golf course. The townhouses would be clustered in several buildings and would be designed for senior citizens and empty nesters. The townhouses would be 1,500 to 2,000 square feet and cost between $175,000 and $225,000. Area neighbors were on hand to voice their objections to the development. The Planning Board must now decide to accept the plans as complete. (10/20)
OTHER
Brighton - Work has been completed on the Lehigh Valley Multi-Use Trail Project between Brighton and Henrietta. The $1.4 million project converted the old railroad bed into a gravel trail that can be used by walkers, runners and bicyclists. The expanded trail will provide a connection to a trail that continues to the Erie Canal Trail. (11/10)
Canandaigua - In a historical visit to Sonnenberg Gardens, Governor George Pataki announced that the state would be buying the financially troubled grounds and mansion and designate it a State Historical Park. Gov. Pataki said the state plans to pay a fair appraised price for the 52-acre site, including its 10 gardens, mansion and greenhouse. Operating costs will be raised through admissions, memberships, donations and profits of the gift and wine shops. The park will be managed by the existing staff and hundreds of volunteers. Sonnenberg had faced foreclosure for a couple of years when its manager was convicted of stealing almost $500,000. (10/21)
Canandaigua - The Finger Lakes Performing Arts Center will be renovated and renamed for the first time in 21 years. A $10 million renovation and upgrade will expand the stage and backstage areas, and seating under the shell will increase to 4,500. Constellation Brands has donated the first $1 million to the project. Constellation founder, Marvin Sands, was one of the Shell's founders in 1983. The FLPAC will be renamed Constellation Brands-Sands Performing Arts Center. Renovations are expected to begin in September, 2005. (11/18)
Chili - A $7 million golf club is scheduled to open this spring with an 18-hole course and an Adirondack-style club house. Mill Creek Golf Club is located at 570 Hosmer Road and is situate on top of a 700 foot drumlin, the highest point in Monroe County. The golf course is located on 320 acres whereas a normal course is usually 150 acres. A two story Adirondack-style club house will have 5,400 square feet on each floor with a pro shop, locker rooms, restaurant and bar. ( 9/24)
Fairport - The Village Board gave approval for the plans to improve the Columbus Commons on Lift Bridge Lane. The property is now a vacant lot across from an abandoned box factory. Plans include a pavilion, benches and landscaping. Costs for the improvements have not been determined . (11/11)
Fairport - A $50,000 study commissioned by the Village has been completed. The "North West Bank Development Study" concerns the use of a 2.8-acre parcel between the railroad and the canal on the west side of Main Street. The study recommended a mixed-use including residential, lodging, restaurants and crafts retail. The future facilities could include 20 condo units, 15 over-night accommodation units and flex-space which would include restaurant and retail. (9/16)
Gates - YMCA of Greater Rochester opened their newest YMCA in Gates and is the agency's first brand-new facility in the area in 20 years. The $8.5 million YMCA is located on Elmgrove Road and features a 4-land pool, a community room with computers, wide-screen television and fireplace; an aerobics room and fitness center with various locker rooms. The Gates YMCA employs 150 and expects to have more than 300 employees by the end of the year. (10/18)
Geneva - The city of Geneva is experiencing two downtown developments totaling $13 million. Two blocks of deteriorated, vacant buildings were demolished at Lake and Exchange Streets to make way for a $5 million, 55-bed Hampton Inn. The hotel should open this summer. The project also includes a new bus station and taxi service. Also, the Lyons National Bank is building a 5,600 square foot branch with 7,200 square feet of adjoining retail space on Seneca Street. The project will cost $3.7 million and should be open by May 1st. (11/12)
Gorham - Owners of an ultralight aircraft dealership in Massachusetts asked the Town Board for a change in zoning for a landing strip located on Lake to Lake Road. The Board directed the request to the Planning Board for a special use permit so the property can be converted into an aeropark for ultralight planes. The proposed aeropark would also provide sales and service facilities of ultralight planes, including powered parachutes. (9/19)
Henderson - The property formerly owned by the head of Genesee Brewing Co., Robert Wehle, overlooking Lake Ontario's Henderson Bay has been accepted into the State's park system. The 1,067 acre park is located on Lake Ontario's Stony Point and includes 80-foot tall limestone cliffs, meadows, woods and wetlands. Robert Wehl was an avid outdoorsman, artist and dog-breeder. The State bought the property from his estate for $2.8 million and the Wehle family set up a $6 million endowment to pay for park improvements. (9/18)
Henrietta - A settlement has been made between the Town of Henrietta and First Niagara Bank over the payment of a letter of credit regarding the defunct Autumn Woods senior housing project. In the agreement, First Niagara Bank has one year to find a developer to finish the partially completed building on Lehigh Station Road. Autumn Woods was started two years ago as a 64 unit, 78,000 square foot senior living complex. Work on the project stopped more than a year ago after the builder experienced money problems. (9/29)
Henrietta - Tower Investments of Woodland, California, has bought Kodak's Riverwood campus in Henrietta for $3.5 million. The sales price includes a 381,000-square-foot building and 150 acres. Tower owns properties in California, New York, Georgia, Nevada, Tennessee and Canada, including 120,000 acres of cattle ranches in the U.S. and Canada. (12/9)
Palmyra - Construction will soon begin on the Palmyra Inn on Route 21, south of the village. The 59-room hotel is being built by a Utah developer and will market the hotel to tourist visiting historical sites of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The inn will also offer spring and fall college classes to begin in August 2005. (9/22)
Pittsford - The town is in the process or purchasing 12.25 acres of land near Monroe Avenue and the Erie Canal in the hopes of developing a park. Two adjacent parcels are all ready owned by the Town which would be added to the park. The Village of Pittsford owns 11 acres next to all three parcels and has expressed interest in adding their property to the park also. The combined properties would produce a 32-acre park. Town officials have recommended that a community center be built within the park. (12/6)
Rochester - Two purchase orders were submitted to the Rochester Psychiatric Center on Elmwood Avenue. The Al Sigl center put in an offer of $456,000 for 15 acres that front South Avenue. S.N. Phelps & Co. of Greenwich, CT submitted an offer of $750,000 for the 15-story hospital and surrounding 27 acres. The bids need to be approved by the Empire State Development Corp. which conduct the bidding. (10/2)
GENERAL
Canandaigua - A developer that had proposed a 6 story condominium on Lakeshore Drive and later rescinded has asked the City Planning to meet half way. A portion of the 5.6 acre parcel would be allocated for a satellite commercial building in hopes that it would satisfied the city's requirements. The city is requiring all new waterfront development include first floor retail space. (9/16) In another attempt to have plans approved, the developer submitted a second proposal for a 60-unit condominium complex with first-floor retail space as the city requested. Instead of a six-story building, the builder wants to put up an 8-story building. Drawings will be submitted in January to the Planning Committee. (12/9)
Canandaigua - A company is seeking to expand into the Canandaigua and Farmington area with 85 miles of gas pipeline. The $140 million project is called the Empire Connector Project. Empire State Pipeline wants to link their existing Buffalo to Syracuse pipeline to include Rochester and extend as far as Corning. Empire State Pipeline is a supplier and transporter of natural gas to residential and commercial customers, as well as utility and power producers. Several informational meetings and open houses will be held throughout the area. (9/21)
Greece - The historic Yates-Thayer home has been under going major renovations under the scrutiny of the NYS Historic Preservation office. Built around 1900, the house 9,300-square-foot house was an apartment complex in its recent years. Now owned by a senior-living facility, Fleming Point, the home will house 3 luxury apartments and be able to hold public functions in three rooms. (12/2)
Greece -Plans were submitted to the Town Board for the expansion of YMCA facility on Long Pond Road. The $2 million project will increase parking capacity, expand the fitness center and add new locker rooms. Work on the parking would start immediately. The last phase of the project will enclose the outdoor pool sometime next fall. (9/23)
Henrietta - The members of the Henrietta Volunteer Ambulance officially opened their new base on Calkins Road. The new 11,000 square-foot facility features additional living and administrative space, upgraded computer and communications system. A new dispatch center and vehicle bay are also part of the $1.5 million improvements. Approximately 4500 calls are handled each year. (9/22)
Macedon - The town of Macedon has applied for state and federal grants to buy development rights on 884 acres of farmland. Macedon all ready owns development rights on 2,400 acres, purchased with earlier grants and from donations from the farmers. The town as a goal of protecting 6,000 acres of undeveloped land. The farmers will still be able to farm the land but the next owner can only use the property for agricultural purposes. (10/7)
Naples - The Town has agreed to lease space in the town gravel pit to Cingular Wireless for a cellular phone tower. Cingular will pay $12,000 per year for 5 years and build a 180 foot tower off of Hunt's Hollow Road. Space on the tower can also be leased to other cell phone companies, which would increase the payments to $17,000 per year. (10/17)
Penfield - A proposal to build a road along the front of Harris Whalen Park was denied after community members protested the idea. Summit Federal Credit Union proposed building a 4,500 square foot building on Penfield Road and hoped the new roadway would connect them to Parkside Commons. The problem is the park road is the only entry and exit for the park and Harris Hill Elementary School. Summit developers are still trying to get approval for the credit union and building the roadway on private property. (10/13)
Rochester - The Strong Museum announced a $33 million expansion which will nearly doubling the size and attract 650,000 visitors to the Rochester area. Construction has begun on the 112,000 square foot addition and is expect to take 2 years to complete. The project will add interactive exhibits for children, a butterfly sanctuary and an atrium resembling a giant caterpillar facing Chestnut Street, among other things. Strong Museum committed $17 million in investment funds, $6 million will be in public donations and $10 million will be financed. (9/22)
Rochester - The Manhattan Square Park will receive a $20 million overhaul over the next 2 years if all goes well. Located downtown, the park includes five-acres with a waterfall that doesn't work and an outdoor ice-skating rink in rundown condition. The first phase will replace the ice skating rink, repair the water attractions and rebuild the children's playground. Long range plans include removing the scaffolding hovering over the amphitheater, improve lighting and landscaping, and building a new skate rental facility. City officials had hoped construction would have started by now but have been delayed by the cost and the city's financial problems. (10/12)
Rochester - Rochester General Hospital has begun construction of its $14 million, six-level parking garage. The 1,280 space garage should be completed in February, 2006. Another project to expand the hospital's emergency care department will begin in 2005. The $45 million project will also build a new cardiothoracic intensive care unit, and enlarge the outpatient service center. (11/16)
Rochester - The University of Rochester has begun the construction of a $7.8 million expansion to the Nursing school. The new facility will be added to the school's Helen Wood Hall and include four new classrooms, an auditorium, conference room and atrium. UR has had a 60% increase in nursing enrollment since 2001. (12/10)
South Bristol - A gift of 38-acres overlooking the western end of Canandaigua Lake was donated to the Finger Lakes Land Trust for preservation. Donated by Odell Scott, a retired educator, the property is located on County Road 12 and will be managed by the Town of South Bristol. The town has all ready paved an overlook next to the property and hope to add a few hiking trails. The Scott property includes mature oak and hickory forest along with steep wooded ravines. (10/5)
Victor - The Victor Central School district and the Town have selected 2 committees and hired a consulting firm to study the building of a recreational complex on school property. The initial plan is for enclosed athletic fields, running track, a site for senior citizens activities, classrooms and offices for the Parks and Recreation department. The project could cost $6 million. Officials will meet in early January to schedule public comment sessions. (10/11)
West Bloomfield - A committee that reviews zoning within the town has suggested changing property along Elton Road and Route 64 from agricultural to medium to low-density residential. With the zoning changes, medium density zones can allow apartments, building complexes, townhouses and nursing homes provided the builder gets approval. Local residents have voiced their disapproval of the zoning changes. A formal meeting will be held in November. (10/19)
