1st Quarter 2006
ECONOMIC & BUSINESS
Paychex – Second quarter earnings for Paychex grew 30% to $112.6 million as compared to the $86.9 million reported for the same time last year. Total revenue was $339.8 million, up from the 2005 2nd fiscal quarter revenue of $347.3 million. Paychex credited its fastest growing product, Paychex Premiere Human Resource service, which grew 66% to $12.8 million. Paychex employs 10,000 nationally, and around 2,400 locally. (12/22)
University of Rochester - The University of Rochester became the No. 1 employer for the Rochester area with a total of 14,300 full-time employees. Local employment at Kodak came in at 2nd place with 14,100 full-time employees. Wegman’s Food Markets, which was 4th last year, came in 3rd with 10,160 full-time employees. It is the first time that Kodak hasn’t been the largest employer with employment numbers the lowest in 70 years. Xerox slipped to 4th place with a total of 8,100 employees, locally. (1/31)
Eastman Kodak – Kodak’s year-end, fourth quarter financial results show a net loss of $52 million as compared to last year’s $59 million with revenue up 12% to $4.2 billion. Sales were strong in digital photography and commercial printing, with digital products and services making up 54% of the companies sales. Kodak is half-way through their restructuring campaign and over the next 24 months will focus on returns from the growing digital portfolio. (1/31)
Fast Ferry – With just a few weeks in office, the new Mayor of Rochester announced the shut-down of the Fast Ferry service from Rochester to Toronto. The decision to halt the ferry service was based upon the accruing debt and financial loss the ferry has endured. Over the last 10 months, the ferry lost $10 million, with a projected loss of $2.7 million for 2006. Plans now include selling the ferry and repaying $30 million once the ship is sold. Reserve funds will be used to pay for $9.5 million to cover year-end operating costs. (1/11)
Eastman Kodak – For 2005, Kodak was again the #1 with 7.1 million digital cameras shipped to U.S. retailers, up 44% from 2004 figures of 5 million cameras. Kodak beat Canon Corp. by more than 2 million cameras, but took second in sales to Canon, with 3.1 million cameras sold. The success of Kodak’s digital camera is attributed to its user friendly features, reasonable price and bundle packages with home printers. (2/20)
Independence Air – After just 18 months, the low-cost carrier, Independence Air, is shutting down its services. Independence Air shuttled between the Greater Rochester International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport three times, daily. The airline has filed for bankruptcy protection and could cease all operation if they are unable to find a major investor or buyer. The shut-down will not affect the Rochester airport financially or the availability of low-cost airfares to Washington, D.C. (1/3)
Constellation Brands – The 3rd quarter for Constellation Brands Inc reported a 12% increase in profit to $109 million, as compared to last years figure of $97 million. Net sales were up 17% from last year with $1.3 billion. Sales growth was strong from its imported beer distribution, and the branded wines from Mondavi and Ruffino. The Mexican brands of beer were out front with 16% increase in sales. (1/9)
Wegman’s – The magazine, Fortune 500, listed Wegman’s Food Markets Inc. as the 2nd best out of the “100 Best Companies to Work For.” This is the 9th consecutive year Wegman’s has made the list and the 4th year in the top 10. Wegman’s ranked #1 in 2005, but was upset by a biotech company from California for 2006, but did rank #1 for companies with 10,000 or more employees. Attributes listed in Wegman’s favor were health care benefits for employees with 20 hours per week and flying employees to Rochester for orientation. (1/10)
Xerox – Xerox’s local employment figures dropped in 2005 to 8,100, down 360 from the same time last year. Worldwide, Xerox employment numbers dropped 2,800 to 55,200 for 2005. In their fourth quarter report, profit rose 18%, as expenses were reined in and the numbers showed strong sales of its color products. Xerox is the third largest employer in the Rochester area and does not have plans for restructuring or layoffs. (1/26)
Xerox - In their reported fourth-quarter earnings for 2005, Xerox posted earnings of $282 million, up from $240 million for the same time last year. Sales of lower-end copiers and printers were strong, but at the same time, competition forced prices to dip, which led to lower revenue. Revenue fell 2% from last year’s figure to $4.25 billion. Xerox expects sales trends to gain relying on strong sales of toner, paper and service contracts, while maintaining control of operating expenses. (1/26)
Renaissance Square – Groundbreaking of the Renaissance Square is projected for 2007 once $230 million of funding is in place. So far, $157.5 million in federal monies have been secured, along with another $34 million from the State. A campaign to raise the remaining $38.5 million will begin in the private sector. Renaissance Square would include a performing arts center, a downtown MCC campus and a transit center on East Main Street. (1/27)
Office Space – Office space located in the suburbs of Rochester surpassed downtown’s figures in square footage for the first time. A reported 8 million square feet of office space is located in the local suburbs, while the city boasts 7.2 million square feet. Vacancies in Class A space in the city and suburbs were about even, with a 14.5% rate. The recent trend downtown is the redevelopment of obsolete office space into apartments, loft space or entertainment businesses. (2/3)
Homes Sales – For 2005, homes sales set records
for the second year in a row. Sales of existing single family homes
were up 4.3% to 13,312, breaking the record set in 2003. A total of
$1.8 billion in sales set another record and was 9.3% higher than
last year. The median price rose 4.8% to $135,330.00.(1/10) Meanwhile,
sales of single-family homes in the 11-county region fell 5.9% in
January, 2006, as the number of listings increased by 95% from December,
2005 and up 28% from the same time last year. There were 2,020 houses
listed for sale in January which may have been attributed to the mild
weather. Median sales price for the month was up 3.9% to $106,000.
(2/7)
Sales of single-family homes declined in the first part of 2006, while
house sales in the City of Rochester were up 9.2%. There were 663
closings in February for the region, up 3.1% from the same time last
year, but 12.6% less than January, 2006. The median sale price of
a single-family home for January and February was $105,200. (3/8)
Rochester – In less than 10 years, out of
state investors have bought more than 8 million square feet of commercial
space in the Rochester area. Higher yields on returns have attracted
the attention of the investors to this area, as opposed to a larger
market, such as Washington, D.C. or Boston. Demand for well-occupied,
high-grade properties has sky-rocketed as the annual return on the
investment is higher in Rochester than the national average. Analysis’s
expect the trend to continue as investors look to diversify their
portfolios. (3/12)
OFFICE
Brighton - LeFrois Development has sold approximately 500,000 square feet of commercial real estate, including the Canal View Office Park, to a Massachusetts real estate investment firm for an undisclosed sum. Property included in the sale was the Bryant & Stratton buildings in Clay, New York and in Greece, the Cingular building at 3144 South Winton Road and 5 flex-buildings in Henrietta. The sale is noted as being the largest real estate sale in Rochester history, surpassing the $62.9 million sale last year of Christa Developments local holdings. (1/26)
Pittsford – The renovation of the old mill in Schoen Place that was given a halt work order in August received a green light after the Village Planning Board approved site plans. Several conditions were included in the approval, including a review by the Planning Board’s engineer and a $200,000 letter of credit from the developers. Two stop work orders were issued by the Village charging developers with deviating from its original plan. The 3-story building and silo will have 1 to 2 offices per floor. The mill is listed on the National Register of Historical Places which made the approval process more intensive. (12/28)
Pittsford – The Buffalo based Hunt Commercial Real Estate is moving from its Pittsford office to the newly renovated Water Street Commons, downtown Rochester. The new space will nearly double in size which currently employs 7 agents here and 33 in Buffalo. The Water Street Commons recently upgraded the property with new entryways, air conditioning and boilers and also enclosed the parking garage for better security. (1/13)
Rochester – One of the original tenants of Midtown Tower is moving out after 43 years. Centra Financial Group, Inc. moved to Midtown in 1962 and occupied the 12th floor offices. The decision to move was fueled by recent growth and having a more convenient location for clients. Centra employs 50 workers, all of which will all be relocated to the new office. Only 25,500 square feet of the 207,000 square feet available at Midtown Tower was filled before Centra’s announcement. (12/23)
Rochester – Vacancy of Class A office space in downtown Rochester fell by 3.35 percentage points to 13.3% in 2005. The Class A, high-end, high-rent office space tallies 23% of downtown offices. Vacancy is highest in the Main and Clinton area with 37.6%, the St. Paul Quarter has a 30.3% vacancy and the East End with 24.8% vacancy. Occupancy of Class B office space and non-traditional buildings was either stable or improving. (12/30)
Rochester – A local developer is renovating
the former Art Craft Optical building on Plymouth Avenue into Buckingham
Commons, offering office space and loft-style apartments. The extensive
renovations include a new lobby, 3 floors of office space with the
top floors being used for residential. A nearby parking lot was secured
for the building last spring after the City began eminent domain proceedings.
An insurance company has all ready signed up as a tenant for leasing
one of the floors. (1/20)
RETAIL
Brighton – A stop work order was issued to the Walgreens developer on the corner of South Clinton and Elmwood Avenue for its third violation for not using local labor. Walgreens had agreed with the Town of hire 90% of its builders locally when the project was approved. Rochester Building Trades Union has been keeping a close eye on the project and made several complaints with the town about not using local workers and violation of safety procedures, including asbestos removal. (2/1)
Brighton – The Twelve Corners Plaza has a new owner and will be receiving a face-lift, including the demolition of 6,000 square feet of retail space. Sold in January for $4 million, 9 out of 10 tenants will stay put, but Music Lover’s will relocate to make way for additional parking and greenery. Renovations will begin in May and include additional entrances, outdoor tables and trees. (2/25)
Canandaigua - A proposed Walgreens store with a
drive through pharmacy has been proposed before the Planning Commission
for Eastern Boulevard. The 14,550 square foot drugstore is planned
to be built on a 2.2 acre parcel south of South Main Street. The City
Planning Board will address any traffic issues and the fact that the
parcel is located within a flood plain. (1/23)
Canandaigua – The owner of 2 upscale restaurants
in the Rochester area will be taking over the restaurant and catering
division of Canandaigua Inn on the Lake. Management of the hotel will
be spending $1 million on renovations in the kitchen, patio and dining
area. The restaurant will be called Max on the Lake, which will open
in October and employ as many as 80 staffers. (3/8)
Chili – The Illinois developer of Walgreens Drug store presented plans to the Town Planning Board for a proposed 14,800 square foot pharmacy at the corner of Buffalo Road and Union Street, on of Chili’s busiest intersections. The site is the location of the Stagecoach Inn, a 185 year old building which is not protected and would be demolished. Wagreens currently is building stores in Brighton and Irondeqouit and has plans in front of the towns of Greece, Webster and Penfield. In the last 2 years, Walgreens has built 800 new stores and has 5,000 stores in 45 states. (1/5)
Geneseo – Local residents concerned about preserving the historical character of the village oppose the building of a Lowe’s home improvement center on Route 20A. The new plaza would be a 170,000 square-foot shopping center adjacent to the new Wal-Mart super center just outside village limits. In addition to Lowe’s, there will be a drug store, bank, two restaurants and extra space for a retail business. A public hearing is set for February, 2006, by the Town and Planning Boards. (12/18)
Greece – The developers of a proposed Walgreen’s Drug store want to tear down a bakery and ice cream store at the intersection of Latta and Long Pond Road that has been there since 1914. The store includes the original dairy barn which has been modified over the years. Walgreen’s plan to open a one-story, 15,000 square-foot pharmacy, and another 2-story 13,500 square-foot plaza at the intersection. (12/15)
Greece – Wegman’s introduced a plan to the Town Planning Board for a new 105,000 square foot store on Mt. Read Boulevard which could be built by September, 2007. The plans call for demolishing the existing Wegmans and Chase Pitkin Stores and replacing both with one grocery store. If plans are approved, demolition could begin as soon as June. (2/23)
Henrietta – Walgreens Drugstore has submitted plans to the Town Planning Board to build a pharmacy on Calkins and East Henrietta Roads. The discount clothier, SYMS, is currently located at that location which is planning to close. The 4-acre lot is currently zoned for commercial use and did not require approval from the Town Board, but will need approval from the Town Planning Board. Plans are for a 14,600 square-foot store which, could be opened by summer (1/10)
Henrietta – Builders of Market Square have signed 2 more tenants for their 225,000 square foot plaza being built at the former RG&E campus on Jefferson Road. Bed, Bath & Beyond and A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts will join Marshall’s and two restaurants, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, and Smokey Bones, which is making their debut in the Rochester area. Two more retailers are needed to fill the remaining space and should be open by late 2006. (1/24)
Henrietta – The Town Planning Board gave site-plan approval to Wegman’s for a new superstore on the corner of Calkins and East Henrietta Roads. After 10 months of meetings and 3 years of discussion, building can now start on the 130,000 square foot store. The site is the former Monroe County Fair Grounds purchased by Wegman’s in 2005. The new larger store will replace the East Henrietta Store and sit next to the proposed Walgreens. (2/22)
Rochester – An out of state investment firm purchased five Eckerd Drug store properties in the Rochester area for $21 million. The properties totaled around 1.5 million square feet of retail space located in Irondequoit, Penfield, Henrietta, Chili and Gates. There are no plans to change any of the properties. (1/20)
Rochester – Retail space located within the Corn Hill Landing apartments has all but 2 of the nine storefronts in place. The concept to establish a village square atmosphere within the complex is complete with a drycleaner, a liquor store, a bakery, restaurant, fitness center, café and eye wear store. An upscale bistro is also interested in leasing the remaining space, as well as a hair salon. (2/24)
Victor - Phase 2 of the controversial High Point
Business Park received preliminary subdivision approval and site plan
approval for from the town Planning Board and is now one vote away
from final approval. Phase 1 has all ready received final approval
which includes retail space, an Olive Garden Restaurant and Starbucks.
Phase 2 will include 72 townhouses and 3 office buildings. The developer
and an action group from the town are in court over the development
of the property, which is located on Route 96 behind Kmart. Construction
for Phase 1 should start in early 2006. (12/21)
The lawsuit filed by a group of residents against the High Point Business
Park was dismissed in Supreme Court. The Judge presiding over the
case ruled that the citizen’s group lacked any legal standing,
that the town did not violate any laws and also noted that the change
in zoning was consistent with the town’s master plan. (1/9)
Victor – Kaufman’s Department Store at Eastview Mall will be replaced by Macy’s sometime this year as part of its $17 billion takeover. Federated Department Stores plan to convert most of the 488 May Department stores nationwide, including 10 regionally. Eastview Mall has also seen 3 stores close in January with 6 new stores opening in the spring. Currently, Eastview Mall is 95% occupied and 97% leased. (3/1)
Webster – A lawsuit was filed by a group of
homeowners against the Town Planning Board and developers of a commercial
development on Ridge Road. Preliminary approval was granted for Crosstown
Center, a retail center with a Walgreens Drug Store, two restaurants
and a retail store on 10 acres. The Homeowner’s contend that
a 200 foot setback is required, while the Planning Board and developer
say that only a 75-foot setback is required between the neighborhood
and the commercial properties. Plans for the project included a 100-foot
buffer and a 10-foot high berm with an 8-foot fence and trees. (1/27)
INDUSTRIAL
Avon – The pasta-maker, Barilla of Italy, has announced plans to build a $96 million plant on a 49-acre site in the Village of Avon. Construction of a 100,000 square foot manufacturing facility and a 200,000 square foot distribution center could begin as soon as June. The process in finding a location took Barilla 5 months of negations and searches and settled on the Village of Avon after receiving Empire Zone status. The new industry is expected to create 120 jobs and be ready for production by 2009. (3/10)
Rochester – A Rochester-based real estate development firm purchased its second automotive plant in Rochester and plans to subdivide the property into commercial, retail and industrial space. Maguire Family Properties Inc. purchased the Valeo Systems plant on Lyell Avenue for approximately $4 million. Valeo will occupy part of the 1.5 million square feet and the other space will be leased by various businesses. Macguire owns more than 15 facilities in the Rochester area. (12/22)
Rochester – Gleason Works on University Avenue will lease up to 300,000 square feet after revamping its manufacturing which freed up the space. The company has adopted “lean manufacturing” techniques in order to expedite and consolidate its gear manufacturing production. Record sales were posted in 2005 of $450 million, up from $410 million in 2004. Gleason’s is the oldest manufacturer in Rochester and employs 825 locally. (2/24)
Webster – A Texas real estate investor has
purchased the former Tyco Plastics in Webster with plans to lease
the 115,000 square foot space. The new owner paid $1.75 million for
the plant which was closed in 2004 after Tyco went through a restructuring.
Tyco had paid almost $5 million for the facility in 2003. The new
owner intends to divide the space into 4 units which includes office
space. (3/10)
RESIDENTIAL
Brighton – A local construction company has asked the Town of Brighton to rezone land on Elmwood Avenue in order to build an apartment complex. Plans are to build 10, 2-story buildings with six units each and another 12, 2-story units with 8 units each. The current zoning would need to be changed from low-density residential to medium to high-density in order to begin building. The zoning was approved after the developer agreed to designate 16 acres of wetlands to the town along with other conditions. The complex should be completed in 2 years. (2/15)
Canandaigua – A subdivision has been proposed to the City and Town for 73-home development on 50 acres which straddles both municipalities. 39 of the homes will be built within the town of Canandaigua portion, while 34 homes will be built within the city limits. A joint public hearing will be held regarding various conflicting issues regarding plowing, drainage, and water. The proposal calls for 2 clustered subdivisions with homes on 1/3 of an acre. (1/23)
Greece – Plans were approved by the Planning Board to build Hawk’s Landing, a 16 homes subdivision on 20 acres north of Frisbee Hill Road. The homes will be clustered in order to preserve open space which will be conveyed to the Town. Area neighbors will be able to tap into the water and sewer lines running to Hawk’s Landing and have water runoff cut by 30% with a new drainage system. (12/22)
Mendon – A housing subdivision received preliminary site plan approval from the Town Board for an 87-acre parcel off of Pittsford-Mendon Road. Mendon Green will have 54 lots on 34 acres with the remainder 53 acres left open. The ranch and cape cod-style single-family homes will target empty nesters and be from 1,800 to 2,400 square feet. The new homes will be priced from $300,000 to $450,000. (12/22)
Mendon – The Town Board voted to enact a 6 month building moratorium on new applications for development after a unanimous decision. The Comprehensive Plan was written in 2000 to help preserve the town’s unique characteristics. A moratorium will allow town officials to update its Comprehensive Plan and incorporate recommendations by committee into town zoning and planning codes. The town could extend the moratorium if needed. (1/25)
Palmyra – The Willow Landing affordable housing complex located on the former Palmyra Airport is expected to be completed in the spring with 40 units available. One, two and three bedroom apartments will be available to qualifying families which include a community building. A second phase for 24 units was approved by the Town Planning Board, but no plans to build have been finalized. (2/21)
Perinton – Under new zoning restrictions, the first set of plans were submitted to the Town Board for a 42.5 acre development in the middle of three developed neighborhoods. The plans call for 16 single-family homes, 87 town homes and 10,000 square feet of commercial space on Route 31. Through a lengthy process, the project would give the public the exact blueprint of the development before getting approved. The new restrictions will give the developer and town the ability to work out every issue before a vote and calm neighbors fears. (12/29)
Perinton – After revising their drawings, developers submitted modified plans to build 18 patio-style homes on Pebble Hill Road to the Town Planning Board. The concept plan was approved that included a new design and home layout on the 10.37 acre parcel. A 3.5 acre parcel will be donated to the town for open space and a new storm water management system. (3/9)
South Bristol – The Town Planning Board issued expansion approval to Bristol Harbour for a two phase building project. Plans include 30 duplexes and 3 single-family homes located between Cliffside Drive and Seneca Point Road. Starting prices for the homes will be $350,000. Currently, Bristol Harbour has 310 residences which include condominiums, single-family and patio homes, and townhouses. (2/9)
South Bristol – An agreement has been made between the developer of Seneca Point Landing and a group of neighbors that had brought a lawsuit against the project last fall. Instead of 40 homes on 40 acres, the development will have 20 homes on 20 acres, with the remaining 20 acres undeveloped. The waterfront will have 20 dock slips and 5 buoys as opposed to 40 docks. The project will be subject to a lengthy environmental review by the DEC before building can begin. (2/28)
West Bloomfield – The Town Planning Board
has put the development of Tower Lakes Estate on hold after the developer
started work before receiving any permits. Two ponds have been dug
on the 75-acre subdivision before getting approval from the DEC. Public
hearings and a road dedication for the subdivision have been put on
hold by Town officials until the permits from the DEC and US Army
of Corp Engineers are complete. (3/6)
OTHER
Brighton – A local church is moving ahead with multi-million dollar plans to develop 46 acres on the corner of Westfall and Winton Roads with a four-phase project. The first phase would include an 82,000 square-foot school, parking and an access road. Phase 2 involves building a 3,500 seat sanctuary. Phase 3 and 4 will involve another parcel which is under dispute with the Town of Brighton. Brighton would like the adjacent 66 acres to become part of Buckland Park and acquire the land by eminent domain. The church plans to build senior housing, a youth center and sports fields on the same premises. The Town and church are currently in court over the 66 acres. (2/15)
Canandaigua – Sonnenberg Gardens was officially purchased by the State of New York with a $3.2 million check. The 119 year old mansion and gardens will be able to pay off its $1.3 million debt and keep a trust fund of $1.9 million for any restorations to the structures of the estate. The tourist attraction will operate as it was with local volunteers and staff running every day business. (3/13)
Charlotte – A planning consultant presented 150 local residents with 3 concepts for developing the Port of Rochester during a public presentation. Each concept showed a mix of housing, retail, marinas and hotel. Investment in the project could be at least $175 million and take over 15 years. The target area consists of 30 acres surrounding the ferry terminal on Lake Avenue. A market study showed the area could support up to 850 new housing units, 60,000 square feet of retail space and 150 boat slips. A final plan is not expected until May or June. (2/24)
Fairport – Owners of the old American Can Co. on Parce Avenue have proposed a $2 or $3 million renovation of the 320,000 square foot building into mixed-use space for artists and small businesses. So far, improvements have been made to the building facade and 2-acres of the property back-topped for parking. The next phase will be to create 30 residential lofts and retail space. (2/16)
Henrietta - The Belfry Golf Course has a new owner and a promising housing development that could finally get the golf course up and running. In October, the golf course was sold to a California investor for 1.8 million, which included the parcels where the houses are to be built. The Town Board rezoned the land that will allow up to 235 single-family homes. The new owner will redesign the golf course for the homes to be located near four holes and expects the course to be open by summer. (12/16)
South Bristol - A group of neighbors have formed
the Richard M. Morse Conservation Club and have purchased 64 acres
of land on Seneca Point, located on the west side of Canandaigua Lake.
The club has also signed an agreement with the Finger Lakes Land Trust
to preserve the land through a conservation easement. The 64 acres
include one of the largest gullies on the lake, as well as woods and
acres of field. Mr. Morse had lived most his life on Seneca Point
in his great-great grandfather’s house. (1/5)
GENERAL
Canandaigua – In another acquisition, the lakeshore restaurant, an ice cream shop and a former motel were all bought in a deal by the same person who bought 3 other lakeshore parcels in 2005. The total purchase price for the combined parcel was $790,000.00. City officials believe the purchase of the additional parcels will make it easier for the buyer to put a proposal for development in place. (1/10)
Greece – Two Wellesley Inn & Suites were sold recently and will undergo changes and renovations. The Greece hotel sold for $2.9 million and will become a Holiday Inn Express. A Wellesley Inn in Brighton was sold for $3.3 million and will become a La Quinta Inn. Both hotels will have façade work and new lobbies included the renovations. The cost of the upgrades is expected to be $1 million. (3/3)
Penfield – Three restaurants have been proposed for Irondequoit Bay. The former Portside Grill at 1300 Empire Boulevard will undergo renovations to become a seafood restaurant with an outdoor patio. A Mexican restaurant is planning to open in a small kiosk at 1350 Empire Boulevard and plans for a 5,700 square foot restaurant at 1200 Empire Boulevard include a boardwalk and gazebo on the site are being finalized. (3/9)
Perinton – The historical site of the Ranney farm on Pittsford Palmyra Road will become the site of a wholesale horticulture supplier. Sold in 2001, local developers planned on converting the property into a restaurant, but plans were abandoned after the area’s economy hit a low after 9/11. The house and farm are the town’s oldest existing home which was operated by four generations of the Ranney family. The Town Board unanimously recommended the rezoning the land from residential to limited commercial in order to restore the property for retail use. (1/12)
Rochester – St. John Fisher College will be expanding their nursing program with the help of an $8 million gift from Robert Wegman, chairman of Wegmans Food Markets Inc. The money will be used to build the Wegmans School of Nursing on campus, doubling the size of its current facility. The new school will include its own dean, department chairs and faculty. Enrollment in the nursing program at St. John Fisher has doubled over the last few of years. Last year, Mr. Wegman donated $5 million to St. John Fisher College for the creation of the Wegmans School of Pharmacy. (1/18)
Rochester – Along with Renaissance Square, Monroe County officials and local arts groups have been discussing a $172 million plan for three performing arts theaters to be built downtown. Two theaters would be located on East Main Street and the third at East Main and Gibbs Street. The hope is for Rochester to become a center for Broadway-style shows, the RPO and community theater. (2/3)
Naples – The Finger Lakes Land Trust has successfully raised $150,000 to purchase Grimes Glen, a 23-acre gorge located in the Village. The Finger Lakes Land Trust will eventually donate the land to Ontario County to manage as a public park, with a conservation easement restricting any development. A long-term protection plan for the glen has also been established. (12/21)
Union Springs – A 70-acre farm in Cayuga County
is now home to the Cayuga Nation of New York. The property is located
in the town of Springport, which is part of the Indian Land Claim
that the Cayuga’s have been trying to reclaim in courts for
the last 25 years. The farm will be used for organic farming and plan
to build a longhouse to use for ceremonial gatherings. (12/28)
