1st Quarter 2007
ECONOMIC & BUSINESS
RIT – Construction has started on the unofficially named Collegetown, which includes construct a 300 apartment housing complex, a retail store and a new bookstore on the 67 acres. The project in expected to be completed in 2008. (5/1)
Local Images – Local Images signed a 3 year agreement, with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, that will give 65 hospitals in that area access to VisualDx, a disease recognition system. The VisualDx system gives physicians pictorial descriptions of diseases and provide statewide alerts in the case of an outbreak. Terms of the contract were not released. (5/1)
Carestream - The Carestream deal is complete. Carestream would create 500 new jobs, most of the new hires would be ex-Kodak employees. The company plans to spend $12 million renovating both the 403,000 sq. ft. building on Veron St. and the 345,000 sq. ft. building at Kodak Park on Ridge. (5/2)
PEATEC - PAETEC reports a 38% increase in revenue, totaling $197 million, this quarter compared to a year ago. The company also posted a $5.8 million net loss, which included a $9.8 million debt write off. The stock closed at $11.43, up 0.43% in Nasdaq trading. Also, the company reported a $19 million free-cash flow. (5/10)
Kodak - Kodak will sell 20 buildings, land-use rights and public utility equipment to Xaimen Land Development Co. of China for $40 million. Xaimen will then lease back properties to Kodak. The deal will close by June 30. (5/3) Commercial real estate firm CB Richard Ellis is offering the 330 acre site near Ridgeway Avenue and Lee Road for sale through sealed bids. The two building, 2.23 million sq. ft. of space should sell for around $22 million, according to Kodak’s prices, per sq. ft., for the other buildings. Bids are due by July 17. (5/8) Buildings 9 and 23 are scheduled for demolition this weekend. The implosion Building 9 a 752,000 sq. ft. building and Building 23 a 487,000 sq. ft building marks the first time Kodak has used explosives to level a building. By the end of 2007, there will be 104 buildings remaining, compared to 212 buildings in the 1990’s. (6/29)
Summit – The Summit Federal Credit Union has merged with First Link Federal Union, adding 1,300 members to its establishment. Beginning July 1 the First Link Federal Union will assume the Summit name for doing business. (5/11)
Bausch & Lomb – NYC private investment firm owner, Warburg Pincus bid 4.5 billion in cash and debt to acquire Bausch & Lomb. The purchase would move the company to the private sector, therefore ending 154 years of local control over one of Rochester’s best known companies. The deal must be approved by B&L shareholders and regulators. (5/17) - B&L rejected the $75 per share in cash and stocks offer from Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. B&L is waiting for confirmation of the shareholders votes. B&L is requesting all cash from Advanced Medical. More job cuts are projected if Advanced Medical purchases the company. (7/25) The Board of B&L recommended that the company accepts the buyout offer from Warburg Pincus, LLC of $65 a share in cash, verses the reported $75 per share in cash and stocks from Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. (7/31)
GE MDS – GE MDS purchased 3.23 acres of land to GE MDS for expansion of its manufacturing facility. The $3 million, 25,000 sq. ft. expansion is expected to create 50 jobs and retain 290. GE MDS is also applying to become Empire Zone Certified. If approved, the company would qualify for a $250,000 grant from Empire Zone. (5/28)
Bausch & Lomb – In the quarter ending in March 2007, B&L reported earnings of $19.2 million, up from 11.8 million during the same period, in 2006. Also B&L reported a revenue increase of 6%, or $578.9 million, in this year’s first quarter report., compared to $546 million in 2006. Attributing to the 2006 deficit was the Renu with MoistureLoc solution recall, which cost B&L $19.1 million during 2006 first quarter. The company’s final first quarter earning reports is expected in June. (5/31)
University of Rochester – The U of R continues to be a major contributor to Rochester’s economy. The universtty’s employees, visitors as well as spending on construction accounted for $1.4 billion in 2006. The university and Strong Health provide more than 35,000 jobs. With the expansion of Strong Wilmot Cancer Center, an additional 1,000 jobs are expected over the next few years. (6/6)
DDS Cos. – Since April, DDS Cos. has added 27 jobs, bringing its local employment count to 145. DDS invested $2 million to renovate and equip a 22,000 sq. ft. facility at 240 Commerce Drive to accommodate the work increase. (6/22)
Kodak - City records indicate that the valuation of Kodak Park’s city location has fallen by 60%, or more than $100 million in less than a decade. In 1998 Kodak’s assessments was $178 million, in 2007 the assessment is $72 million. Demolition is a contributing factor to the reduced value. (6/25)
RG&E - Iderdrola, a major Spanish utility company, has agreed to purchase Energy East Corp., the parent company of RGE for $4.5 billion. Iderdrola will invest $4.2 billion in renewable energy over the next 3 years world wide. This strategic plan could assist New York state reach a self imposed goal to obtain 25% of its energy needs from renewable resources by 2013. (6/27)
Local Housing - A housing market study predicts Rochester can absorb 1725 new rentals and owner-occupied units annual if the right housing types are available. The study, the first in 20 years, provides a guide for strategies to improve neighborhoods and to measure progress and regression. The study also highlights the potential housing market in places such as downtown, the High Falls district, South Wedge, North & South Marketview Heights and the Plymouth-Exchange neighborhoods. (5/3) Housing sales fell by 9.5 % in June, compared to June 2006. The median price form homes increased to $121,250, compared to $117,000 a year earlier. (7/12)
Frontier –Two local centers are scheduled to close September 30, as a result 95 positions will be terminated. Nationally, 14 Frontier call centers has been reduced to 4. (7/18)
Rochester Area Employment – According to the Department of Labor, Rochester’s employment has increased for the 5th consecutive month. In private sectors, 700 more jobs were added since June of 2006. Non-farm jobs as a whole increased by 1,900 since 2006. (7/20)
University of Rochester - The University of Rochester will merge with Rochester General Hospital’s neurology department in an effort to compete with the nation’s top medical centers. (7/20)
Xerox - For the quarter ending June, Xerox reported a net income of $266 million, total revenue 4.2 billion. Analyst predicted a quarterly earning of $254 million, total revenue 4.19 billion. Xerox earnings were up 2.3% in the second quarter. (7/26)
Bausch & Lomb – Advanced Medical Optics Inc. needs more time to gauge whether they had enough shareholder backing to purchase B&L. Warburg Pincus is also trying to buy B&L. Advanced Medical was offering $75 a share in a mix of cash and its own stock, while Warburg Pincus is offering $65 a share in cash (8/1). Advanced Medical Optics Inc. withdrew its offer when denied more time to provide proof of shareholder support. Warburg was able to purchase B&L for about $3.67 billion. The purchase still needs approval from B&L shareholders, and approval is expected (8/2). B&L reported higher sales and profit for the second quarter of 2007, which ended June 30. Overall sales were $649.5 million for the quarter, up more than 13% from a year earlier. Earnings hit $15 million, or 27 cents per share, for the quarter; last year they lost $15.1 million, or 28 cents per share, in the same quarter. Shareholders will vote Sept. 21 on the decision to sell B&L to Warburg. For the first half of the year, B&L reported sales of $1.23 billion, up 10% from the same period in 2006, and earnings of $33.5 million, compared to a loss of $3.3 million last year. B&L’s stock closed Aug. 1 at $62.36, down 18 cents (8/9).
Jobs – Companies failing to meet their goals for job creation or financial investment under the state’s Empire Zone program will get letters warning them to make progress in order to continue to receive benefits. These warnings were mailed to 3,000 companies statewide, with 134 in the nine-county Rochester region. Those getting letters failed to meet at least 60% of their goal (8/1).
Delphi – A bankruptcy court agreed to allow Appaloosa Management LP and other investors to give $2.5 billion in funding to Delphi, who entered bankruptcy protection in Oct. 2005. They recently secured concessions from its largest union to cut wages from $27 per hour to a range of $14 to $18.50 per hour. Delphi employs about 1,600 people in two facilities near Rochester. Appaloosa and its partners have agreed to buy $800 million in convertible preferred shares and around $175 million of Delphi’s common stock. The group also agreed to purchase any leftover shares after a $1.6 billion rights offering to existing common shareholders (8/3). Delphi lost $1.46 per share in the second quarter, which is much better than its loss of $4.05 per share a year ago. They plan to operate one fourth of the plants that it had when it went into bankruptcy in Oct. 2005 (8/9).
Kodak – Eastman Kodak reported an extremely profitable second quarter, with $592 million in earnings on revenue of $2.5 billion. The company is in the final year of its four year restructuring (8/3). Kodak reported a second quarter profit of $592 million, compared to a loss of $282 million in the same period a year ago. It was only the second profitable quarter since 2004. Kodak shares rose more than 5% to $26.93. Without the sale of its health group to a Canadian company called Onex Corp., Kodak would have lost $135 million for the quarter. Worldwide sales for the quarter were $2.51 billion, down 7% from the $2.69 billion in the same period last year. (8/3)
Home Properties, Inc. – The real estate investment trust has a good report for the quarter ending on June 30. The funds from their operations are 85 cents per share, up 1 cent from the second quarter of 2006. Revenue from its core properties, which include more than 33,000 apartment units, was up 4% year-over-year. (8/3)
Harris – The end of the fourth quarter for Harris on June 29 marked a revenue gain of 22% over the fourth quarter of 2006, hitting $1.2 billion. Their revenue totaled $4.2 billion, also up 22% from 2006. Profit for the quarter was $87.6 million, or 63 cents a share, up from $85.1 million, or 61 cents a share, last year. Earnings for the fiscal year were $480.4 million, compared to $237.9 million from 2006. Cash dividends per share were 11 cents, compared to last year’s 8 cents. Revenue hit $326 million, a 34% increase over the same quarter a year ago, and 7% better than the third quarter. (8/8)
Housing – The housing market is favoring buyers, as sales of existing homes has slipped 1.9% in the month of July compared to a year ago. The inventory of houses on the market, however, continues to climb, and is up 2.9%. The median sale price across the region in July was $126,000, which is up compared to $124,000 from last year. For July, 1,323 sales were closed in the region, compared to 1,349 in 2006. There were 2,284 homes for sale, up from the 2,220 last year in July. (8/10)
Mortgage firm fails – American Home laid off almost all of its workers on Aug. 3, following a housing market turnaround. The company specialized in giving mortgages to home buyers and then selling the mortgages to various banks. When the market turned around and monthly payments on mortgages rose, more and more of their customers had trouble paying. This hadn’t been a concern as recently as 2006, when American Home had grown to be the tenth largest residential mortgage lender nationwide, with 7,400 employees, $59 billion in loan originations and 550 loan production offices. (8/16)
Canandaigua National Bank – Canandaigua National Bank and Trust Co. plans to take over Genesee Valley and Trust Co. With the purchase, Genesee Valley will gain additional services such as personal mortgages. The combination of the two corporations will have more than $1.5 billion in the trust and investment assets that they manage. Genesee Valley will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary, but it will keep its name. (8/28)
Xerox – Xerox has produced its first batch of emulsion aggregate toner, and the $20 million output of the toner is being tested to make sure it’s ready for the marketplace. Full production is supposed to start next month. The chemical process to manufacture EA toner is more energy efficient, and the uniform particle sizes mean that printers use 40 to 50 percent less toner while printing. The mostly automated plant is employing 40 people to start and will run three shifts five days a week. (8/29)
Perinton – Mark Sperandio and his wife Joan
have started Sperandio Properties LLC and purchased two office buildings
at the Cedarwood Office Park in Perinton totaling 30,000 sq. ft. feet
for $3.9 million in July. (9/12)
OFFICE
Security Mortgage Group – Gerard DiMarco of Security Mortgage Group has negotiated the sale of a 119,000 sq. ft. facility, for $18.1 million. The facility is currently occupied by BJ Wholesale. Security Mortgage closed over $200 million in financing over the past few years. (5/22)
Midtown - The Italian themed shopping center for Midtown plaza has been annulled. As a result, more than 130 design professionals will create plans for five area\s of the city, including the core area of Midtown. (6/21)
Paychex – Penfield-based Paychex reported
an %11 increase in new income compared to a year ago. Total revenue
increased by 13% from $430.6 million to 485.3 million for the quarter.
Paychex reported record earning for 2007, citing a profit increase
of 14% and topped $500 million for the first time. Revenue was up
$1.9 billion. The annual profit of $531.6 million, amounted to $1.39
per share, up from $1.22 in 2006. Paychex anticipates a 20% - 23%
increase in human resources services for 2008. Also in 2008, total
revenue is projected to increase between 11% – 13%, with a profit
gain of 14% – 16%. (6/28)
RETAIL
Tech Park – The Tyrad Group, a NYC based real estate investment firm, will purchase Rochester Technology Park for an undisclosed amount. The business plan for the 500 acre park already includes a list of about 4 or 5 potential tenants. The deal is expected to closed in June or July of this year. (5/3)
Wegmans – Century Liquor and Wines in Greece are considering a move to a 45,000 sq. ft. facility, formally known as Cohoes. No agreement as of today. Also changes would first need to be approved from the state Liquor Authority. (5/16)
Tim Horton’s – Tim Horton will be coming to Bushnell’s Basin. The Building will be slightly smaller than 1,750 sq. ft, which will include seating for 33, a front porch for outside dining and clapboard siding. Basin residents are opposed to the addition of a drive through in that area. Perinton’s Town Board also granted a drive through for Brueggers Bagels. (5/17) The Greece Planning Board approved a Tim Horton proposal, as well as expansion of an existing office building next door. Simonetti Property Management will build both on a 4.3 acre parcel on West Ridge Road, near Latona Road. The plan calls for demolition of two houses turned offices and a town story office building (6/28)
Pittsford Plaza - Wilmorite Property Management is investing $15 million to renovate and upgrade Pittsford Plaza. Upon completion customers will be able to at a variety of stores, such as the Cheesecake factory or the Eastern Mountain Sports. Renovations are scheduled for completion by the end of this year. (5/24)
Stefan Otter Fine Jewelry – The Stefan Otter Fine Jewelry will be moving from Brighton to Pittsford Plaza in June. Although the new store will have the same amount of space, it will give the company more visibility. (5/28)
Walgreens - Walgreens would like to build a 10,000 sq. ft. pharmacy on the southwest corner of 31F and Route 250. Walgreen representatives and Planning Board officials are in the processes of readjusting the site plans to accommodate suitable parking. No building application has been submitted to date. (5/31) On August 1st, the Perinton Town Board may approve the final plan to build a Walgreens in the Perinton Hills Shopping Center. The project developer, Perinton Corner, LLC wants to tear down the empty Boston Market restaurant and Citibank to build a 14,500 sq. ft. building with a drive through. The board gave preliminary site approval on June 20, which granted them a special-use permit. This permit will allow any development for on land over 8,000 sq. ft. (7/26)
Wal-Mart - The 146,000 sq. ft. Wal-Mart at North Gate were opposed by many residents who were given the opportunity to speak about the proposal. At this time the town officials has not voted on the Supercenter application. (5/9) Wal-mart and The Widewaters Group has joined in the effort to construct a Wal-mart Supercenter in the Northgate. The Supercenter would include a garden center, a pharmacy and general merchandise areas. The 24.17 acre parcel on Dewey would also include a 4,000 sq. ft. McDonalds. About 150,000 sq. ft. of the Northgate Plaza would be demolished with 75,000 sq. ft. remaining. The eastside of the site would include a 3,500 sq. ft. bank with an ATM. (6/14)
Wegmans – Wegmans Food Markets has plans to open 11 new stores in 5 states by 2009. Site plan applications were submitted to build a 160,000 sq. ft. store in Howard County, Maryland by 2009. Also there is a request for 2 more 140,000 sq. ft. stores in Maryland. Malvern, Pennsylvania could open a 130,000 sq. ft. store in September of 2008. Among the other stores a 98,000 sq. ft. store is scheduled to open in Greece, of Rochester, NY. Both Virginia and New Jersey are scheduled to open stores in the future. (6/7) The new Wegmans Food Market store on Mt. Read Boulevard in Greece is scheduled to open to customers this Sunday. Wegmans has also moved forward with their plans to build a 100,000 sq. ft. store in Henrietta, replacing the supermarket on East Henrietta Road. The new store will be located in front of the Dome Arena on Caulkins Road. The $30 million project will create 100 new jobs and 150 construction jobs in the Rochester area. Construction expected to be completed in 2008. (7/26)
Rite-Aid - A judge dismissed a petition to save the 80 year old movie house, know as the Monroe Theatre. No date scheduled yet for demolition. This decision gives way for the plan to build a new Rite-Aid with the drive through pharmacy window on the parcel. In addition to the theater, a 20 unit apartment building is will also be demolished. (6/21)
IHOP – IHOP made a $1.9 million bid to purchase Applebee’s 1,943 restaurants. IHOP will sell 508 company-owned Applebee’s restaurants to franchisees to reduce costs and debt. Applebee’s investors will get $25.50 per share. The transaction is valued at $2.1 billion. (7/17)
Farmer’s Market - Brighton is in negotiation with Pittsford Plaza to possibly move the Farmer’s Market to a proposed spot on Westfall Road near Buckland Park. (7/20)
Tops – The Tops Plaza at 100 Jefferson Road was purchased by BG Henrietta LLC for $22.7 million. BG Henrietta also purchased 400 Jefferson Road, the plaza across from Jefferson Road and South Town Plaza, for $17 million. The deals were finalized July 11th & 13th respectively. (7/25)
Monroe Muffler - Monroe Muffler announced a 9.3% increase in sales for the 2008 first quarter fiscal report, reporting record sales of $107.6 million. The company attributes the increase largely to sales of tires, brakes and alignments. In addition, Monroe Muffler will purchase 2 auto-repair chains for $16.7 million. (7/27)
The Cheesecake Factory – The 10,700 sq. ft. stand alone building, in front of the former Chase Pitkins Home & Store of Pittsford, will become the home to the Cheesecake Factory. The restaurant is expected to open in August, with the addition of a new 54,000 sq. ft. parking lot. (5/9) The Cheesecake Factory will open a 10,000 sq. ft. eatery in Pittsford Plaza this week. The company is part of a $15 million redevelopment project in the plaza. (7/23) Construction on the 10,400 sq. ft. building began in April. The eatery will be able to hold 420 people and staff more than 250 people tomorrow at its grand opening. This store will become apart of 126 stores nationwide. (7/25)
Henrietta – Park Point, a medley of apartments, restaurants, bars and shops, is set to open in the fall of 2008. The $72.8 million project is being constructed by Wilmorite and will be owned by Wiljeff LLC. A two-story Barnes &Noble will take up 40,000 of the 80,000 designated for the shops and restaurants. There will be over 900 beds available for off-campus living for RIT students. (8/1)
Henrietta – A new Wegmans will open on Calkins Road next in the summer of 2008. The store will have a clock tower on its roof, which needed a special variance from the town because it exceeded normal height limitations. The store is 100,000 sq. ft. feet and will provide about 100 new jobs, which will be added to the current 300 positions. (8/1)
Henrietta – Benderson Development Co. is planning to expand Market Sq. ft. Plaza another 40,000 sq. ft. feet, bringing the total sq. ft.age up to 360,000 sq. ft. feet. Te extra space will bring in three new retailers and a restaurant. PetSmart, Dress Barn, and Ulta are expected to move in sometime in the fall of 2007. (8/1)
Greece – A new Wegmans has opened on Mt. Read Blvd., replacing an older, smaller one from the 60’s. The 100,000 sq. ft. store offers more parking and amenities like the café and pizza kitchen. More than 10,000 people visited the store on its opening day. (8/2)
Greece – A proposal from Wal-Mart has Greece in an uproar over the necessity of two Wal-Mart supercenters in the same area. The plan is to replace the current Wal-Mart in Elm Ridge Plaza with a 185,000 sq. ft. supercenter on the south side of West Ridge Road between Elmgrove and Manitou roads. The other location would be in Northgate Plaza, and calls for a 146,000 sq. ft. supercenter and a detached McDonald’s on 24.17 acres. The proposal requires approval from the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals, which held two joint public hearings. Neighbors have concerns over the traffic that these supercenters would bring, along with the worries over an increase in crime that might follow such a large store. (8/9)
Perinton – The Planning Board has approved the final site plans for the town’s first Walgreens. The store will be 14,820 sq. ft. feet and will include a drive-through. It will be at 6707 and 6709 Pittsford-Palmyra Road in the Perinton Hills Plaza. Two buildings will be demolished, formerly a Boston Market and a Citibank. Walgreens needed several approvals for the project, including three variances from the Perinton Zoning Board of Appeals and a special-use permit from the Planning Board because the building is more than 8,000 sq. ft. feet. The store is expected to open in the summer of 2008 and will have around 25 employees. (8/3) Also moving to Perinton area are the Panera Bread store, which is set to open next spring, and Perinton Discount Liquor. Earlier in August, McDonalds reopened its doors after months of remodeling and redesigning. (8/9)
Webster – The owner of a Lincoln-Mercury dealership in Greece, and of a Ford dealership in Webster, has consolidated both into a single location in Webster. Renovation plans include a $1 million upgrade of the site to accommodate both locations. (8/8)
Victor – The manager of Eastview Mall is proposing that a free-standing 30,000 sq. ft. store be constructed on the vacant site of the former Jo-Mor theater next to the mall. (8/14)
Greece – The Town Board approved a drive-up
window at Jimmy’s World Famous Hot Dogs, at 2700 West Ridge
Road. The Board also asked that the landscaping be cleaned up. The
restaurant is set to open in November. (8/30)
INDUSTRIAL
Pliant Corp. – Pliant Corporation is planning to invest $6 million to improve their facility, machinery and product expansion. The company will also add 55 jobs due to the upgrades. By creating and retaining these new jobs, the company will be eligible for up to $150,000 in funds for machinery and equipment. (5/4)
Mill Seat – Monroe County officials opened a power plant in Riga that will turn landfill gas into green energy. The $9.7 million project includes 6 large engines that will turn 1.1 billion cubic feet of methane into 4.8 megawatts of energy each year, that is enough to replace more than 110,000 barrels of oil and generate electricity for nearly 4,000 homes. No county money was used for the project, however the county could receive an annual revenue of $530,000 from the plant. (6/12)
Kodak – Kodak Building 23 is tentatively scheduled for demolition July 1st. Building 23 once housed design and engineering for manufacturing, in addition to some parts fabrication. Along with building 23, Kodak plans on tearing down 16 structures this year. Building 23 will be the first of the unused buildings to be demolished. (6/13)
Xerox – Construction is ending on a 5 story,
120,000 sq. ft. plant in Webster. As a result, an additional 40 new
jobs are expected. (7/11)
RESIDENTIAL
Morgan Managements – Morgan Managements has closed on 6 apartment communities for $47 million. The complexes include 990-unit Waverly Woods in Webster, 184-unit King Court in Irondequoit, 290-unit Glenbrook in Gates, 116-unit Lake Vista in Charlotte, 40 unit Brighton Gardens in Brighton and West view Commons in Gates. (5/3)
Finger Lakes – Bluestone Creek will hold a meeting to inform the residents of its intentions for the 75 acre lot adjacent to Fisher Park. The plans include 100 patio homes, 120 apartments in 6 buildings and a 20,000 sq. ft. college center. Upon completion, the project would total 286,000 sq. ft. The site would first need to be rezoned from industrial zone. (5/29)
Farmington – Glacier Lakes Resorts has proposed a $78 million, water park project. The project includes a 70,000 sq. ft. in-door water park, two hotels, a conference center, a restaurant, fitness center, spa, arcade and a gift shop on Route 332. In the future, the developers would also request and additional 350,000 sq. ft. to build stores, restaurants and a theater along the same route. The plan would be revisited by the Planning Board on July 18. If approved this summer, construction could begin in November. Glaciers Lakes could open spring of 2009. (6/7)
Manchester – The Village of Shortsville will
occupy 3.5 acres of town land to build 24 low-income apartments. The
$3.8 million project will include 3 buildings on the east side of
East Avenue, one building will include 12 two-bedroom units, the second
building will have 8 one-bedroom units, and the last building, 4 three-bedroom
units. Upon funding approval, the construction will begin no later
than October. (6/11)
Henrietta – Autumn Woods will soon undergo
redevelopment. Mark IV plans on building new upscale apartments for
senior citizens and couples. The new project, now called Leigh Park
Apartments will consist of 16 two-story apartment buildings, housing
eight apartments. The rent would range from $850 – $1050 per
month. Mark IV is also requesting rezoning for sections of the area,
to allow for multi-residential buildings, currently it is zoned single
family. The new site plan must be approved by the town’s Planning
Board before construction can start. (6/13)
Greece – Unity Health System is planning an expansion of its senior housing complex off Long Pond road. The $21 million project includes a new assisted living center, the addition of 30 new units, a 20 apartment memory care unit, 40 unit enriched living center, a media center and computer rooms, chapel and community room. Construction on the project is expected to being in 2008. The project will be completed in 2010. (6/29)
Rochester – Rochester will receive about $300,000 in grants to assist funding for three affordable housing projects. The South Wedge Planning Committee will oversee a $75,000 grant for rehabilitation of houses in urban neighborhoods, Housing Opportunites Inc. received $87,515 for the Mildred Johnson Estates development project, the Marketview Heights Association will receive $140,000 to help low income homebuyers with closing costs and down payments. (7/4)
Rochester – Fernwood Park, Norton Village and Ramona Park will undergo renovations beginning in November. The $26 million renovation project includes some remodeling, new bathrooms, kitchens, lighting, painting, etc. Community centers will be added at each site over the next two years. (7/10)
Bayside Proposal - The Penfield Town & Planning Boards will hold a joint meeting to hear developer Richard Gollel’s plan to build 16 buildings, featuring 32 townhouses and 36 condominiums on Woodhaven Drive. (7/27) Richard Gollel will unveil his plan to build town houses and condos ranging from 1,700 sq. ft. to 3,000 sq. ft. at 41 Woodhaven Drive. The condos or townhouses could cost up to 250,000 or more. Plans will go to the Boards August 9. (7/28)
Henrietta - Legacy at Erie Station will open July 15. About 24 of the 96 apartments will be complete. The remaining 72 will open through out the summer. Studio apartments, one and two bedroom apartments are available. Rent will began at $1,420 per month. There will be an on-site fitness center, library, beauty salon and barber shop in addition to other features. Once the project is completed about 30 new jobs will be added. (7/11)
Manchester – Plans for a 72-unit apartment complex are on hold until a more extensive environmental review can be performed. John Barry of Four Clovers, Inc. wants to build nine two-story apartment buildings on 14 acres. The land is bordered by a baseball field, a park, federally protected wetlands, and houses along State Street. More than four acres would be set aside as open space. The two-bedroom units would rent for $700 to $750 per month, and would not be federally subsidized. (8/8)
Penfield – A housing development planned for the south end of Irondequoit Bay has neighbors worried about traffic and environmental problems. The plan is to construct 16 duplex buildings and a three-story, 36 condominium buildings off of Empire Blvd. and Woodhaven Drive. (8/10)
Downtown Rochester –Tenants are moving to new developments along the Genesee River and former commercial buildings, renovated into loft-style apartments. 582 housing units have been added downtown since 2000, for a total of 2,434. Two-thirds of those are market-rate units and one-third are subsidized. The vacancy rate for the market-rate apartments was 6.6% earlier this year, which is up about 1% from a year earlier. 105 new units are under construction and 125 have been proposed. (8/31)
Greece – A senior-housing subdivision could
be built in Greece. The Arena Development Company wants to build the
Long Pond Cove subdivision at 1103 Long Pond Road. The 4.2 acre parcel
would hold 10 one-story and Cape Cod-style duplex buildings. (8/30)
OTHER
Victor – Victor residents approved a ballot to spend $5.7 million to build a new Town Hall at 85 E. Main Street. The project will be financed by town reserves in the amount of $4 million and $1.5 million in loans. No official project completion date release. (5/1)
Rochester – Interest has been expressed in buying or receiving a donation of the property on 115 Portland Ave., to build a 25,000 sq. ft. mosque. The $5 million project would include space for Islamic studies, and self help classes. An additional 6,000 sq. ft. building adjacent to the mosque would be used for retail. More details to come in June. (5/2)
Brighton – As early as fall 2009, Empire State’s Genesee Valley Center could relocate to the Brighton-Henrietta Town-line Road. The lease would be $12 million, for a two story building and adjacent parking lot. Construction on the 30,000 sq. ft. building could start next spring. The state’s 07/08 budget contained more than $15 million for Empire State Facilities. The two schools are still working out the details. (5/2)
Rochester – Under Rochester Gas & Electric’s Brownfield/ Building Redevelopment Program, Buckingham’s Commons was granted $400,000 by RG&E for electrical upgrades to the formerly vacant ArtCraft Optical Building. Currently the building is almost at 100% occupancy by commercial and residential tenants. (5/3)
Farmington – A citizens group applies efforts to saving a historic Quaker meetinghouse in Farmington. The 191 year old, two story building was the site for important Quaker meetings, as well as the attraction for leading 19th century reformers, including Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass. About 150 members are joining together to raise, $1.6 million to restore the building. Thus far the group has raised $35,000, in addition to various grant proposals pending. The Quaker building demolition deadline is May 31. (5/7)
Rochester – Fredrick Douglass Middle School will close in June making room for 2 college preparatory high schools. Poor academic performance sited for the school’s closing. More than 1,000 students much apply to new schools. The two new schools, Northwest and Northeast College Preparatory High Schools at Fredrick Douglass, will now be open for students in the 7-10 grades, doubling their attendance to 300. The state education department has not yet approved a restructuring plan. (5/8)
Greece – Benderson Development Co. purchased an 8-acre site from Tops Friendly Market for $1 million. The company is currently in the concept stage of development. An actual proposal may take another 3 – 4 months. Benderson is also awaiting an approval for a 125-acre mixed use development site on West Ridge Road. Upon approval, the Southwestern Commons will be developed into a 200-unit senior housing complex, in addition to a Wal-Mart Supercenter. (5/9)
Medina – Officials of Genesee Community College and Orleans County will gather today, along route 31A, for a ceremony marking the construction of GCC in Medina. The 9,000 sq. ft. center will include two computer labs, a science lab and 5 -7 classrooms, staff and faculty offices. Completion date scheduled for 2009. (510)
Irondequoit – The owners of the oldest building in Irondequoit are not interested in donating the 167 year old structure. Irondequoit risks losing a $50,000 grant, which is intended to move the building to a safer location, if the town does not reach an agreement with the owner. In the current location the building is at risk of demolition due to neglect. (5/14)
Greece - The board has yet to vote on the rezoning proposal. The DiMarco Group do not have potential clients to publicize as of yet. The clients could include restaurants, a big box anchor store or smaller retailers. The proposal calls for tow access points with traffic signals. Traffic would then be eased through a cross driveway between the two parcesl. A cobblestone home, reportedly one of four in Greece, could be at risk. The developers and the Greece Historic Preservation Committee could work together to save the home. (5/17)
Fairport - Fairport neighbors rally together to save First Baptist Church from demolition. The essential repair cost is $130,000. Church Officials are considering selling or moving out of the church if they are unable to raise the funds for repairs. (5/17)
Geneva – Construction is starting for the 17,000 sq. ft. renovation project at Hobart and William Smith Colleges Scandling Center. The $15 million project is schedule to wrap up during the fall semester of 2008. (5/21)
Cortland – New York Sterling Management Inc. purchased The Cortland Apartments, a 146 unit apartment complex, for $4 million. Richard Will, president of Hemisphere Holdings Corp. brokered the sale. (5/22)
Seneca – Finger Lakes Technology Group expects to seal a deal for $7.5 million to develop bunkers into high tech records storage sites. The company plans to refurbish a 37,000 sq. ft. warehouse. Finger Lakes Technology is using $250,000 of a $1 million allotment of state secured money to help pay for improvements at the depot. (5/25)
Inrondequoit – Monroe county plans to spend about $25 million in 2008 towards completing construction projects, or beginning new ones. A list of more than about 70 projects around the county may receive financial assistance from the county. Among those projects are the 4.8 mile pedestrian trail in Irondequoit, which will receive $2.5 million, $8 million for the Greater Rochester Airport parking upgrades and additions and $2.5 to improve the Public Safety Building. (6/5)
Sutherland – Construction on The Pittsford School Foundation amphitheater is complete. Since 2006 the amphitheater has been under construction, as apart of Sutherland High school’s $36 million renovation project. Among other additions, the renovation called for addition of more than 78,000 sq. ft., a new stadium, 16 new classrooms, expanded parking and eight science rooms. (6/13)
Perinton – Waste Management wants to raise the landfill 100 feet higher on top of the allowable 196 feet, as well as expand 144 acres of the High Acres Landfill and Recycling Center. Residents feel they were not properly notified of the request. If approved, the expansion will extend the life of the landfill an additional 40 years. (5/10) Waste Management is withdrawing a part of the pending application for the 100 foot vertical expansion. The withdrawal is partly a result of the Perinton residents who came out to protest against the proposal. The town will continue to review the Waste Management’s proposed 13.5 acre horizontal expansion. (6/14)
Midtown – Midtown Athletic Club plans to expand their establishment. The project is expected to cost about $6 million. The Club purchased 16 parcels, totaling 6.5 acres. The expansion includes nine outdoor tennis courts, four out door swimming pools and an indoor swimming pool and whirl pool. City records indicate a total assessment for the properties purchased to be $1.25 million. No word on how much The Club paid for the land. Construction could be completed by May of 2009. (6/15)
Monroe County – Monroe County will begin offering tax incentives to companies that develop environmentally friendly buildings. Some green projects are already under way for Monroe Community College, a new crime lab and possibly the Renaissance Sq. ft. project. (6/15)
Canandaigua - Court Justice William Kocher ruled that a anticipated club house and dock on Canandaigua Lake would be eligible for a special use permit, terminating the town Zoning Board of Appeals pervious decision that stopped the project. This decision allows RSM West Lake Road LLC to move forward with its proposed Residence at West Lake Marine Club, in addition to 81 boat slips and 35 morrings. The plan includes 67 homes on the Johnson property, converting the existing marina to private and a 4,000 sq. ft. community clubhouse. (6/17)
Keene Valley – Nature Conservancy, a nonprofit conservation group, acquired the former Finch, Pruyn & Co. Inc. lands, 161,000 acres of timberland in the central Adirondack Mountains for $110 million. The agreement allows Atlas Paper Resources, the former owner, to continue cutting trees for 20 years, while the new owner pays land taxes. (6/19)
Henrietta - In April residents voted down the plan to build a new fires station on Pinnacle Road. Due to omitted necessities such as a sprinkler or suitable fire alarms, the fire station does not meet the district’s own fire code. Henrietta residents would have to pay $13.67 more per year for 10 years to pay off the fire station. This project may cost up to $2.8 million, $2.2 million would need to be borrowed. Another vote is scheduled for June 13. The new fire house proposal was rejected for the second time. The fire district will have to wait about a year before other actions can be taken. (6/27)
Farmington – Preliminary approval from the Planning Board was granted to the Developers of Glacier Lake Resorts and Indoor Waterworld, to build a 45,000 sq. ft., indoor water park. Along with the water park, the $ 78 million project will include two hotels, and a 31,900 sq. ft. conference center. Final approval could come in September. If granted final approval, construction could begin by winter and end by Spring 2009. The complex could create 275 jobs, and generate $10.4 million in revenue over the next three years. (7/11)
Rochester – Monroe County will invest $12 million in improving law enforcement communication. The plans call for 6 new 180-foot communication towers, and replacement of two around the county. In addition to the towers, 2,000 hand held radios for police officers, and 1,000 mobile radios for police cars will be purchased. (7/13)
Rochester – Bidding opened for renovation of The Bausch Memorial Bridge. The $10 million project calls for a large over look on the south side of the span and new railings, resembling the 1930 original design. Construction could begin in late September or early October. (7/18)
Brighton – The towns of Brighton and Irondequoit have teamed up and contracted GAR Associates, Inc., an appraising company, to revaluate their property. The 2008 school tax bill and the 2009 town and county tax bill will reflect the changes in the assessment roll. (8/1)
Irondequoit – A group of local and out-of-town investors are trying to build Lighthouse Pointe, a $250 million complex with condominiums, marinas, a hotel, and retail. The site currently contains several marinas, a boating repair shop, and vacant land. The developers will not be permitted to build housing on the site unless an environmental cleanup takes place, due to the fact that much of the site is a former landfill used by the city and Irondequoit. There are heavy metals, methane gas, and other contaminants in the soil. The developers estimate that the cleanup will cost between $4 million and $8 million. The contractors applied to the state for tax credits that would help pay for remediation, and their application was turned down, and they are now suing the state. (8/1)
Greece – Richard Gilmore wants to build 37 multi-unit self-storage buildings on about 14 acres on Ridgeway Avenue. The Town Board issued a positive declaration on the project, which means that it could have a negative impact on the environment. (8/2)
Charlotte – Government officials are debating on plans for the area that used to be the port for the fast ferry. The city is waiting for $10 million from a federal appropriations bill that can be used for renovation and restoration of the area. (8/2)
Rochester – The Hiram Sibley Building has been for $2.56 million. Masaschi also purchased the Valley Cadillac Building adjacent to it for $1.5 million. The Hiram Sibley Building is the location for Monty’s Korner bar, The Pita Pit, financial services offices, and a law firm. (8/3)
Webster – Continuing Developmental Services will build a $9.5 million, 60,000 sq. ft. facility for individuals who are developmentally disabled, off of Hard Road in Webster. The agency employs 550 people and serves 1,700 clients, an increase compared 2005. (8/7)
Henrietta – The Sands Academy for children ages 6 to 8 with learning disabilities will open this fall at 275 Pinnacle Road. The tuition is $10,500 per school year. (8/8)
Rochester – Work is near completion on the 1,000 foot long addition of a safety zone, at the end of runway 10-28, at the Greater Rochester International Airport. The project cost $17 million, and is funded by federal funds. (8/15)
Steuben County – A wind turbine project in Cohocton and Avoca received final state approval. The turbines have a combined electric-generating capacity of 127.5 megawatts of electricity, and would be able to power about 45,000 homes annually. (8/16)
Penfield – Town officials asked Clearwire communications to withdraw its application to construct a 120-ft tower behind the Penfield Community Center. They have also requested that T-mobile not pursue an application to erect a tower in Greenfield Park at Scribner and Embury roads (8/28).
Chili – The University of Rochester Medical Center campus is requesting temporary ownership of the lot on 1420 Scottsville Road, in order to get 672 additional parking places. The Medical Center is short on parking due to construction projects. The medical center is willing to pave the lot, landscape the property, add traffic signals and a turning lane, and make road improvements on Scottsville Road. Currently the property is zoned general industrial, and does not allow parking lots to be its primary use. (8/28)
Henrietta – A 100,000 sq. ft. facility will
open for the University of Rochester Medical Center in Henrietta called
the Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute. It will be home to 15 research
laboratories, and was purchased three years ago from Wyeth-Lederle
Vaccines and Pediatrics. UR officials have spent $14 million in renovations.
(8/29)
GENERAL
Greece – The Greece Planning Board gave final approval to make a parcel totaling 28 acres off Manitou Road forever wild. The land will be used for passive recreation only, no development. (5/9)
Fairport – Sparked by the predicament of The First Baptist Church, Fairport Village Board unanimously approved introducing a historic preservation law. If approved the law would protect the exterior of selected buildings 50 years and older from major alterations. The village will hold a public hearing before the law goes into effect. (5/17)
Ontario Beach Park - $1.6 million in federal funds were secured for the US Army Corps. Of Engineers to clean the river channel at the Port of Rochester and repair the Ontario Beach pier. (7/27)
Brighton - Monroe Community College is expected to start construction on a new facility for their nursing program. The $8 million project will include a 20,000 sq. ft. two story facility. The new center will feature a critical-care bed setup, a space for a computerized human patient simulator, new class rooms and laboratories among other additions. (7/27)
Rochester City - Officials confirm that $325 million in state fund will be awarded to Rochester for Phase I of the City School’s District Facility Modernization Plan. Phase I of the $1.3 billion project will target 13 schools and cost about $380 million. The project will extend over 15 years and renovate nearly 50 city school buildings. (7/13)
Monroe County – New statistics from the Census Bureau show an estimated 1% decline in the town’s numbers. This estimate is based on births, deaths, net migration, and military movement. (8/1)
Brighton – Speedy’s Cleaners’ old site at 2150 Monroe Ave. has been identified as being contaminated with tetrachloroethene, also known as PCE. It has not yet been determined how the contamination occurred. (8/1)
Rochester – Airports around the state stand to lose federal funding for security guards, due to the addition of 25 airports, funded by a program capped at $64 million. With out additional funds, The Greater Rochester International Airport could lose $69,000, or 22% of its current funding. (8/2)
Rochester – The Brooklyn-based Tryad Group closed the deal to purchase Rochester Technology Park for $55 million. The new owner plans to invest an additional $12 million to attract new tenants to the 5 million sq. ft. site. (8/16)
Gates – William Goodrich was promoted to CEO
at LeChase Construction Services. The company did more than $406 million
in construction projects last year. (8/26)
