3rd Quarter 2006
ECONOMIC & BUSINESS
Housing Prices – A study by National City Corp. and consulting firm Global Insight concluded that houses in the Rochester area are among the most under-valued in the nation, priced 9 percent below what the market could bear. (6/14)
Finger Lakes – Excitement surrounding the opening of New York Wine & Culinary center has Canandaigua area businesses preparing for what they hope to be a banner tourism season. Other upgrades in the area include The Inn on the Lake spending $2.5 million on renovations, and the performing arts center undergoing a facelift to the tune of $13 million. Visitors to the 14-county Finger Lakes region number about 24 million each year, and the new wine and culinary center has a goal to raise that by 5 percent over the next 5 years. Partnering in the project are Constellation Brands Inc., Wegmans Food Markets, RIT, and the New York Wine & Grape Foundation. (6/16)
RenSquare – The largest downtown development project in Rochester history is on budget and schedule with the $230 million project set to begin demolition of the existing site in mid-2007. Planners hope to have a draft environmental review report later this year. Included in the plan are a bus terminal, performing arts center and MCC campus on E. Main St. between N. Clinton and St. Paul. (6/29)
Delphi Corp. – Employer of more than 2,100 in the area, Delphi Corp. reported a loss of $2.4 billion in 2005, having filed bankruptcy in October. (7/12) In the first half of 2006, Delphi reported a loss of $2.6 billion, more than 3 times the loss in the first half of 2005. About 12,500 workers have signed up for early retirement, which accounts for about $1.9 billion of the losses. (8/16)
Port of Rochester – A final draft of the plan for the Port has doubled the size of the marina in place of the housing that would have risen next to Ontario Beach Park. Details regarding estimated cost, population density, housing mix and development have not yet been finalized. (7/17) Consultants say that redeveloping the port will cost $110 million if work starts now, but will rise to nearly $140 million if delayed. Three fourths of the expense would be covered by private developers, leaving the rest to public sources. (7/18) The standalone parking garage has been removed from proposed revisions to the final Port plan, replaced by underground parking. The revised parking plan would look much nicer, but cost substantially more. (8/17)
Housing Sales – Data released by the Greater Rochester Association of Realtors shows sales of single-family homes in the 11-county greater Rochester region were up slightly from January to June over last year. The average sale price also rose by 5 percent, however there were indications that there may be a slow down on the horizon. (7/18)
Constellation – The largest wine company in the world, located in Perinton, NY, has signed with Grupo Modelo, Mexico’s leading brewer, to become solely responsible for importing Corona, Negra Modelo and other popular foreign-made beers in the U.S. and Guam. The 10-year agreement, beginning Jan. 2, 2007, has undisclosed financial terms, referred to as being significant in dollar value. (7/18) The joint venture, headed by Bill Hackett, president of Constellation’s Barton Beers, will be based in Chicago. Constellation chairman and CEO, Richard Sands, expects the deal to strengthen the company’s competitive ability with both domestic and imported beers. (7/19) Upon recording second quarter costs of $42 million, Constellation is looking to streamline operations through downsizing, consolidating and selling assets in the U.K. and Australia. The company closed at $24.90, up 49 cents, but stock dropped by 5.1 percent this year, after six years of gains. The cost-cutting is intended to be an integration program to bring all of their acquisitions together. (8/3)
Current Communications – A communications company employing more than 200 people in Henrietta, received $130 million in venture funding, the largest venture capital deal in the US during the second quarter this year. Based in Germantown MD, Current received the venture money from TXU Corp. (7/25)
Xerox – The second quarter for Xerox Corp. included income and revenue growth. Beating Wall Street estimates by 3 cents a share, Rochester’s fourth largest employer reported net income of $260 million, or 26 cents a share on revenue of $3.98 billion. Local employment by Xerox was 8,250 at the end of the quarter, up 130 from the first quarter of 2006, but down 200 from the same quarter of last year. (7/26)
Birds Eye – Penfield-based Birds Eye Foods Inc. has to decided to sop making non-branded products, resulting in the cut of 400 local jobs. The company will close or sell 2 to 3 local plants, and the restructuring will take about 12 to 18 months to complete. (7/26)
Element K – Brighton based employer of 480 local workers has been purchased by NIIT Limited, based in New Delhi, India. The buyout is intended to grow and expand the business both locally and globally. (7/28)
Home Properties Inc. – Analysts expect the REIT, Home Properties Inc., to sell approximately 17 properties in the lagging Upstate New York market. (7/28) CB Richard Ellis has been hired to sell upstate NY properties for Home Properties Inc. The company reported second-quarter earnings of $40.5 million, or 85 cents a share. (8/3)
Kodak – Rochester’s second largest employer reported 2nd quarter loss of $282 million, or 98 cents a share, and announced 2,000 more layoffs. Kodak stock dropped to $19.20, a 28-year low. Despite posting this seventh consecutive loss, officials say they are optimistic about the company’s digital progress. (8/2)
Fast Ferry – Mayor Robert Duffy, who shut down the operation of the ferry shortly after taking office in January, has called upon county, state and federal authorities to initiate or renew investigation into the dealings of CATS with the city and state. He also announced authorization of the city’s legal counsel to use any reasonable means to break the controversial 40 year lease of the ferry terminal to Maplestar Development for $1 per year. The city is in the process of selling the ferry, and estimated taxpayer debt of $28 million, including interest, would be repaid over the next 15 years. (8/3) A state Comptroller’s Office audit indicated that city officials were so determined to make the fast ferry work that they did not demand a solid plan and ignored warnings. The report made recommendations on how the city reviews and executes financial agreements, and the new administration states that it is already taking a number of these steps. (8/3)
Xerox – Fitch Ratings Ltd. changed the credit rating for Xerox Corp. back to investment grade for the first time since 2001, due to improved financial performance and outlook. The increase shows Xerox as less of a credit risk, and will allow them to borrow funds at lower interest rates. Xerox stock closed at $14.70, up 42 cents a share. (8/9)
Kodak – Eastman Kodak Co. has been hired by 4 U.S. newspapers to convert part of their printing to digital imaging. (8/11)
PAETEC – A merger between Perinton-based PAETEC Communications Inc. and Charlotte, NC based US LEC Corp. will create a new billion-dollar business in Rochester. The new company will use the PAETEC name, but trade on the Nasdaq exchange under US LEC’s symbol, CLEC. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter. (8/15)
Housing Growth – The Rochester area added more than 12,000 new houses and apartments between 2000 and 2005, despite a lack of population growth. Ontario County was the fastest-growing with an increase of 5 percent. Monroe County housing grew by 2 percent. (8/22)
Nothnagle – After 15 years as chief executive of the region’s largest residential real estate company, Phil Nothnagle has stepped down and passed this CEO title to current president, Armand D’Alfonso. Phil Nothnagle will retain the title of chairman and will remain an owner of the company, along with his children Daniel and Christine. (8/25)
Kodak – J.D. Power and Associates ranked Kodak digital cameras No. 1 in the $200 - $399 category for the third year in a row. More than half of digital camera sales in the U.S. are in that price range. Kodak placed third in the $199 and below segment, and fifth in the $400 to $599 category. (8/25)
Housing Slowdown – Price increases in the housing market have slowed more than at any time since 1975, nationwide with the exception of the Rochester area. In Rochester, housing prices are growing ahead of the national average consistently this year. (9/6)
Xerox – A month after Xerox Corp. announced that it would use proceeds from a $450 million tax settlement toward restructuring, it has begun offering buyout packages to employees. The offer was made to both union and nonunion workers, and no estimate was made as to how many might take the offer. (9/8)
Kodak – By the end of the fourth quarter, Eastman Kodak Co. plans to pay back about $800 million of its $3.5 billion in debt, or 23 percent. This stage of a restructuring process is expected to greatly improve the company’s credit rating. (9/8)
Concentrix – Pittsford-based marketing services company, Concentrix Corp., has been purchased by CA based Synnex Corp. The deal will result in the addition of about 200 new jobs over the next 12 to 18 months. (9/15)
OFFICE
Egypt – The Planning Board is seeking a few more changes from developers of a new subdivision including homes and commercial/office space on 45 acres. They would like to see unique features that make the development pedestrian friendly. The development also needs the town to rezone the property from residential and commercial to a planned development district. (6/26)
Greece – The Town Planning Board approved 10,800 square feet of new medical offices on West Ridge Road. Developers, Fallone Enterprises, hope to begin construction this fall. (7/27)
Downtown – Buckingham Properties has invested $7 million over the past nine months to renovate the 100 year old Art-Craft Optical building at Plymouth Ave. and Allen Street. Now Buckingham Commons, the seven-story building consists of 3 ½ floors of office space and 36 lofts spread over 4 floors, with rents ranging from $750 to $1,300. (9/14)
RETAIL
Walgreens – Illinois based, Walgreens, the pharmacy chain with the largest volume of sales in the nation, is working toward having 9 stores open in the Rochester area by the end of the year. Two locations are currently open, but the others have run into several challenges such as lawsuits and protests. The controversy has been caused by varying issues including the lack of using local labor, lack of space between the planned stores and homes, the destruction of a local landmark, and blocking the view of other businesses. Walgreens is working diligently to overcome these challenges, and projects the senior population in our area to grow 38 percent in the next two decades causing the need for their presence to rise considerably. (6/15)
Walgreens – Construction of a 14,500 square foot Walgreens store on the former site of Syms in Henrietta is set to begin in July. The intersection of East Henrietta and Calkins Rd. currently has 3 existing pharmacies, and the addition of a fourth is an area of controversy. (6/30)
Station 55 – Costanza Enterprises is redeveloping an old warehouse on Railroad Street next to the public market. The building will consist of storage areas, vendor stalls, and artist lofts, set to open later this year. (6/16) The project at 55 Railroad St. is expected to cost $1.5 to $2 million, already being helped by a $200,000 state grant, and a $30,000 city grant. (7/3)
Wal-Mart – There are two proposed Wal-Mart stores causing some debate in the area. In Victor, a proposal calls for over 323 thousand square feet of retail space off of Route 96, less than half a mile from East View Mall. In Greece, the plan submitted is for 204 thousand square feet of space in Northgate Plaza. (6/29) A variance from the town would be needed for Wal-Mart to build in Northgate Plaza, due to the lack of green space in the plan. Once approved, the 185,000 square foot store could be built in 9 months, with a target opening date in the third or fourth quarter of 2007. Northgate Plaza has not had another store interested in moving in for over 10 years, and Widewaters Group Inc. has been working on this deal with Wal-Mart for the past 4 years. (7/6) The Victor Planning Board rejected a proposal by Wal-Mart developer, Benderson Co., and decided to address the Environmental Impact Statement themselves. The board could require a smaller store and limit how much of the 95 acres should be developed. (7/20) The Victor Planning Board approved a Final Environmental Impact Statement reducing the size of a new Wal-Mart on Route 96 by more than half. (8/23)
Chili – Residents have offered alternatives to the destruction of the Stagecoach Inn to be replaced by a Walgreens. The alternatives include moving the building to another site, changing the current design to build the store on another portion of the lot, or to incorporate the historic building into the new structure. Maude Development will have to make the final decision. (6/29)
Canandaigua – Wegmans food Markets sold a former Chase Pitkin site on Eastern Blvd. to COR Development Co. for $4.2 million. The site is slated to become a small upscale plaza with a mix of retailers. (7/2)
Henrietta – Genesee Valley Regional Market, finished it’s fiscal year with $2.8 million in revenue and is currently expanding on Jefferson Road. (7/6)
Chili – Two retail projects have been proposed to the Chili Town Board. One proposal from North American Properties presented a 53-acre shopping complex on Paul Road, and more recently Benderson Development proposed a Target store on Chili Avenue. Paul Road would require rezoning for the project and has seen much resistance from area residents. Chili Avenue is already zoned commercial and seems to be more welcome by the neighborhood. (7/10)
Fairport – First Baptist Church, on the corner of Church and Main Streets, is discussing a $2 million offer for the property from an unnamed retail store. The building is considered one of Fairport village’s central landmarks, but currently needs significant repairs and maintenance that would use up a considerable amount of resources. There has been much community concern expressed regarding the possible destruction of the church. (7/13) Members of the First Baptist Church of Fairport have voted to at least hear out developers interested in buying their land. The building is 130 years old, and is located on three parcels at the corner of South Main and West Church Streets. (7/24) Village residents have organized “The Steeple Group” to seek ways to preserve the historic First Baptist Church of Fairport building. The church has received between $8,000 and $10,000 to begin an architectural report on the building, and has started a restoration fund. (8/21)
Batavia/Canandaigua – Syracuse based company, COR Development Co. LLC is creating two new malls in Genesee and Ontario counties. In Batavia they are building a new 324,000 square foot plaza for multiple tenants across from Home Depot near thruway exit 48. In Canandaigua they are renovating the former 100,000 square foot Chase Pitkin building on Routes 5 and 20 across from Wegmans. (7/14)
Victor – The owner of America’s Best Value Inn on Route 96 in Farmington, is presenting a plan to build a two story, 69 room Best Western off of Route 96 in Victor. (7/18)
Henrietta – In June, Fitch Ratings expressed concern about the decline in operating income of the newly re-opened DoubleTree Hotel Rochester. The DoubleTree general manager states that the decline is expected due the major transformation that they underwent recently, and that occupancy has increased steadily since the renovations were completed. DoubleTree in Henrietta is the only one of the few locations in the upstate New York area. (7/21)
Walgreens – Developer HDL Properties has been given the go ahead by Brighton town officials to resume construction on the corner of South Clinton and Elmwood Avenues. The project had been stalled since February due to HDL’s violation of the 90 percent local labor requirement. The company has agreed to pay fines and to an amended labor agreement in order to complete the project. (8/2)
Sweden – Town officials are working to bring a Lowe’s home store to Brockport-Spencerport Road, but the project was delayed due to one landowner’s refusal to sell. The town is considering the use of eminent domain to move the project forward due to the current state of the property and the positive effect the development would have on the area. The 136,000 square foot store was approved by the Planning Board in January, and should break ground in October. (8/9)
Henrietta – Patrick Pontiac Inc. has moved from it’s location at 3600 W. Henrietta Road to the corner of West Henrietta and Lehigh Station Roads. At 60,000 square feet, The new facility is one-third larger than the old, and is the first area dealer to have a Starbuck’s store on its premises. Patrick Pontiac expects to add 20 to 30 employees over the next couple of years. (8/11)
Brighton – DiMarco Group is planning to make
changes to Loehmann’s Plaza, as well as develop the vacant land
across the street on South Clinton Avenue. A formal application has
not yet been presented, but the development company expects to be
moving forward within 3 to 5 months. (8/16)
INDUSTRIAL
Colony Liquor – Upstate NY’s largest distributor of liquor is consolidating operation into one warehouse located in Lyons Industrial Park, in Wayne County. The 240,000 square foot facility will cost Colony Liquor and wine Distributors LLC approximately $10 million between the purchase and renovation of the property. Established in 1933, Colony works with more than 10,000 retail stores. (6/16)
Macedon – The 23rd ranked manufacturer on the Rochester Business Journal’s list, Pliant Corporation has invested $10.7 million in equipment, software, and additional workforce. Roughly 20 employees have been added over the past year, and they currently plan to add a dozen more. In 2005, the local facility logged sales of $105 million, and expects revenues to increase to $120 million for 2006. (6/23)
Webster – The Monroe county Water Authority is planning to build a new water treatment facility off Basket Road. The proposal will cost $128 million and construction could begin next year. There are questions as to whether such an expansion is needed. (7/10)
Rochester – The city is preparing to raze and redevelop the old Delco factory complex off of Lyell Avenue, that was destroyed by fire in 2003. City Council was slated to vote to authorize borrowing $850,000 to remove asbestos and begin demolition in October. The site that is being referred to as Orchard Whitney, has a $1.86 million outstanding tax bill, was in foreclosure and is expected to be in city ownership by early August. (7/13)
Canandaigua – The Ontario County Industrial Development Agency is going to court against the Town of Canandaigua to seize private farmland and close Thomas Road. The property seizure would allow the expansion of IDS’s Brickyard Road airport, despite a prior vote against it by the Town Board. (7/14)
Batavia – Milton Cat Inc. will consolidate it’s Rochester and Buffalo area businesses with construction of an $18.6 million facility on 60 acres in Batavia. Construction of the new facility should take about 18 months to complete, and will allow the company to focus more on its agriculture, hydraulics, and rental operations. (7/21)
Palmyra – The first phase of a $32 million renovation at Garlock Sealing Technologies LLC over the next five years, is a 116,000 square foot building to be completed late this year. The new building, estimated to cost around $10 million, will house Garlock’s Klozure Dynamic Sealing Products line, the largest line manufactured at the Palmyra plant, which had been scattered throughout different places on the property. Garlock is ranked as one of Wayne County’s largest employers with roughly 550 workers. (7/21)
Rochester – The purchase of a 12,000 square foot building at 76 Seneca Ave, by Van Hook Service Co., was arranged by Bernie Fallon of RealtyUSA. (7/25) Buckingham Properties leased 6,000 square feet, the first floor of the former IBM building, to Health Foundation. (7/25)
Avon – In June, Barilla Inc. began construction of a $96 million pasta plant and distribution center in Livingston County. The project, consisting of a 100,000 square foot manufacturing plant and 200,000 square foot distribution center on a 49 acre site north of Routes 5 and 20, received a $600,000 federal grant toward railway improvements. Operation is scheduled to begin next July. (8/18)
Xerox – In November, Xerox held a groundbreaking
for the new EA toner plant in Webster. Construction of the 100,000
square foot building has now reached the half way point, and is expected
to be complete by late spring or early summer 2007. The project, using
1,800 tons of steel, will cost a total of $58 million in construction
costs and manufacturing equipment. The facility will create more than
40 new jobs, and the toner produced will be shipped worldwide. (8/25)
RESIDENTIAL
Greece – The Grecian Gardens Apartment complex was purchased by an entity of Houlihan Parnes/iCap Realty Advisors for $9.3 million. (6/27)
Greece – Ben-Fall Development is planning a subdivision on 74 acres south of Peck Road and east of Manitou road. Stonewood Manor would include 35 single-family detached houses and 29 single-family attached townhouses. (7/27)
College Campus – Monroe Community College is adding a 366-bed residential complex by fall 2007. Finger Lakes Community College also expects to add new student housing this year, accommodating 350 students (7/31).
Natapow – Morgan management LLC has purchased five residential properties from Natapow Realty Corp. The negotiations have included a Penfield property for $2.7 million, a Spencerport property for $4 million, and a property on Dewey Ave. for more than $5 million. Natapow president states that the firm has no plans at this time to sell its remaining 400 residential units, or its commercial portfolio. (8/4)
Home Properties – Rochester based real estate investment trust, Home Properties Inc., is selling it’s upstate New York rental housing properties, numbering 4,567 units, to focus on expanding in high growth regions in eastern states. Corporate headquarters will remain in the area, and local employees should not be affected. (8/4)
Penfield – Wegman Cos. Inc. (unrelated to the grocery store chain) has received approval from the town of Penfield for construction of a 59 acre townhouse complex on State Road. The development will include 124 townhouses, a clubhouse and pool, but keep about half of the property as open space. The company purchased the property for $1.1 million, and took out $5 million in building loans for the project. Wegman Cos. Is also working on an expansion of their assisted-living facility, the Landing, in Clarkson. (8/18)
Perinton – Aristo Development Inc. is constructing a 22-house project on 10.6 acres along the Erie Canal. The Canal Grove project began in spring and is expected to take another two and a half years to complete. The homes will start at 2,000 square feet and range in price from $300,000 to $450,000. (8/25)
Greece – Developer Forest Creek Equity Corp.
is proposing a mix of patio homes and townhouses off of Janes Road
by 390. The Regency Park subdivision on about 65 acres would consist
of 67 patio homes, 56 2-unit town homes, and 108 four-unit town homes,
selling for around $150,000. (9/14)
OTHER
Canal Restoration – City officials are meeting to discuss possible uses for the old subway tunnel downtown. The canal was rerouted in the early 1900’s, for a subway line, but the subway has been shutdown since 1956. Rochester is the smallest city in America to ever build a subway, but now the city is preparing a study exploring the possibility of restoring the canal. (6/14) The city is preparing to spend $300,000 in federal funds to study the potential re-creation of the canal beginning this fall. A number of property owners along Broad and Main streets, where the canal bed would run, are intrigued and mostly positive about the possibility. Early estimates put completion of the project in the neighborhood of $200 million. (7/24)
Webster – Town officials are seeking an architect to design a new community center to go on part of the 32-acre town-owned parcel on Ebner Drive in Webster. A committee will gather community input, and construction should begin in about a year. (6/16)
Total Sports Experience – Gallina Development Corp. made a switch from its traditional business centers to a 115,000 square foot sports center with 40 acres of athletic fields. Last month TSE was upgraded with a 12,500 square foot addition, allowing for three additional tenants. TSE currently has a staff of 20, and hosts more than 200 soccer and lacrosse leagues. Gallina does not see any further expansion of the indoor facilities, but possibly more outdoor playing fields. (7/7)
Penfield – The new Eastside YMCA was almost 90 percent enclosed in July, with opening day just four months out. The 70,000 square foot facility will cost about $15 million and will include basketball hoops, track, climbing wall, wellness center, cardio equipment, free-weights, aerobic room, pool, whirlpool, playground, and other various features. Equipment is expected to begin arriving after Labor Day. (7/13)
Strong-National Museum of Play – After being closed for 6 weeks to undergo a $37 million upgrade, Strong Museum has reopened at double it’s size, making it the second-largest children’s museum in the nation. One prediction is that it will generate an additional $20 million in direct spending by visitors to the area. (7/14)
Farmington – The plans for Glacier Lakes Resort and Aquazonia Indoor Waterworld have shifted from Henrietta to Farmington. The $65 million project will require that the town rezone 86.5 acres southeast of Route 332 and County Road 41 to commercial and retail. Included in the proposal is a 70,000 square foot indoor water park, two hotels, a conference center, restaurant, fitness center, spa, arcade and gift shop. Construction should begin next spring. (7/26)
CityGate – Monroe County plans to sell about 18 acres of land off of Westfall Road to area developer, Anthony J. Costello and Son LLC. The land would be for a proposed $150 million development with a proposed mix of housing, stores, offices and community space called “CityGate”. The goal of the developer is to open parts of the project in 2008. (7/27)
Palmyra – The NY State Canal Corp. is working with the town of Palmyra on a project to provide additional dockage and services to boaters, as well as turn a canal-side wetland into a nature park. (8/3)
Bushnell’s Basin – A special town subcommittee is working on a $2.2 million plan to provide better access to and from the canal to the business district in Bushnell’s Basin. The current plan includes a pedestrian bridge, public docks, restrooms, as well as the possibility of a boat fueling station, crosswalks, and a small park. Officials are hoping to cover funding for the project through state and federal grant money. (8/3)
Irondequoit – Irondequoit Country Club, host of the PGA Nationwide Tour, has approved construction of a $7.8 million clubhouse. In September of 2007, the existing facility will be torn down, with the new building expected to be completed in the summer of 2008. The new 32,000 square foot clubhouse will include the pro shop, which is currently detached, a banquet room, indoor and outdoor dining facilities, cocktail lounge, fitness center, lounges, and locker rooms. (8/4)
College Town – Rochester Institute of Technology is working with developer Wilmorite Inc. on 60 acres of planned retail and housing development at the northeast corner of the campus. Construction should begin in September, with the first phase opening by fall 2007. The project calls for 80,000 square feet of retail including restaurants, clothing stores, banking services, possibly a Barnes & Noble, and enough housing for 900 people. Wilmorite Inc. will purchase the property, build, secure and manage tenants. (8/4)
Pittsford – The town received state grants in the amount of $400,000 to fund the purchase of 18 acres of waterfront property along the Erie Canal. The community is looking forward to seeing the land developed into an attraction that could build momentum for the whole Rochester region. (8/9)
Genesee River – The city and RG&E are working together on the construction of Genesee Riverway Trail to bridge Lower Falls Park on the west bank of the Genesee to St. Paul Street on the east bank. (8/9)
Spencerport – The Spencerport volunteer department fire station on Lyell Ave. was razed after being destroyed by a fire. Approval from taxpayers is needed to spend about $4 million for a new station. The district is looking to break ground in the spring and move in by fall. (8/15)
Brockport – Lakeside Health System has opened the newly renovated Lakeside Family Birthing Center. The birthing center is part of a $4.35 million expansion and renovation plan for the West Avenue campus taking place over the next five years. (8/15)
Greece – The Ridge Road Fire District is proposing a third station on Ridgeway Avenue. The 7,000 square foot facility would cost about $3.2 million, and would help accommodate development in the area. (8/17)
Greece – Park Ridge Hospital completed the final phase of a $27 million expansion. (8/31)
Brighton – Brighton Town Board officials have
approved the renovation of the 19th century Buckland Farmhouse on
Westfall Road. Dating back to the 1830’s, the structure was
designated a historical landmark in 2003. The project to turn this
building into a public meeting space and small seasonal museum will
cost $376,000, and is being funded through the town, Rotary, and state
grants. The project should be completed by next spring. (8/30)
GENERAL
Brighton – A new demolition code was approved by town officials making it tougher to tear down older homes in older neighborhoods. To obtain a demolition permit, applicants now must have their plan publicly reviewed. (8/2)
Monroe County – Almost $1 million in federal and state funding has been received to update the more than 40 year old Monroe County Public Safety Laboratory. The completed project could cost between $10 and $20 million, and county officials are looking to begin the design by 2009. (8/25)
Rite Aid – The third-largest drugstore chain
in the nation will purchase Eckerd and Brooks of Canada for about
$2.55 billion. (8/25)
