3rd Quarter 1999

On July 1, 1999, HUD/FHA released its new Handbook 4150.2 "Valuation Analysis for Home Mortgage Insurance for Single Family One- to Four- Unit Dwellings." HUD's goal is to protect consumers from buying homes with major defects, and to improve home appraisals for over 1 million families who purchase homes each year with FHA-insured mortgages. You can find a copy the handbook online at: www.hud.gov/reac/reasfappr.html.

HUD has increased the scope of appraisals and the responsibility and liability of appraisers. Effective September 10, 1999 mandatory use of the new "Valuation Conditions" (VC) sheets will require the appraiser to report "readily observable" information about the site and physical condition of the improvements.

The new Valuation Conditions (VC) sheets contains 88 questions, the appraiser would answer either a Yes or No with no other options as to weather an item is in good working order. If any are marked "Yes" on the VC form, the appraiser must denote it in the appropriate box of the Home buyers Summary and explain, in detail, the nature of the problem. If an "Yes" is marked under the VC-1 section (Site hazards and Nuisances), FHA will require the location to be rejected. These considerations for rejection apply on a case-by-case basis. For each specific item in VC-2 through VC-11, "Yes" indicates a limiting condition on the appraisal subject to the repairs of the deficiency or further inspection. The Home buyers Summary and Valuation Conditions form are available electronically from the HUD Internet website: www.hudclips.org/subscriber/html/forms.html.

The role of the appraiser is to estimate the market value of the property and not to be a home inspector. Appraisers do not guarantee the condition of the house or its mechanical equipment or that the house is free from defects. The appraiser is asked to make reasonable observations about the property and site and to provide that information to the lender. Appraisals performed for HUD/FHA are not intended to protect the buyer, they protect HUD.

FHA Commissioner, William C. Apgar, has received several letters from appraisers, lenders and real estate agents regarding changes in the appraisal requirements and the Valuation Condition (VC) sheets. Appraisers are concerned about added liability and the expanded role relative to observations or inspections of the subject property. Mr. Apgar states that, "FHA will not, for a period of six months, place into effect regulatory changes which will impact the manner in which the Department currently takes enforcement actions against appraisers who perform appraisals that are not in compliance with FHA requirements. The current process will remain in effect until the industry has had a greater opportunity to become familiar with the revised Handbook".

HUD's intention is to strongly urge home buyers to get home inspections in addition to an appraisal. Home buyers will be required for the first time to sign and date a new informational form before they purchase a home with a FHA mortgage at least five days prior to closing. The home buyer cannot receive a FHA mortgage until all defects found by the appraiser have been corrected.

The complete release for the Home buyer Protection Initiative (HUD #99-99) can be found at: http://www.hud.gov/pressrel/pr99-99.html or by calling HUD (202) 708-0685.

Appraisers doing FHA work will have to pass the new FHA test by the end of January 2000. FHA requires appraisers to be state licensed or state certified for eligibility to sit for the exam. Appraisers applying to FHA for the first time will not be certified to do FHA appraisals until they pass the exam. Those already on the list have two chances to pass the exam before they are dropped. The test is 50 questions that are taken from the new FHA handbook 4150.2.

Our office has FHA approved appraiser's that have completed the new FHA seminar and are prepared to meet your FHA appraisal requests.

Eastman Kodak Company-- Eastman Kodak reported they had cut operating costs by ~ $125 million during the third quarter, for a year-to-date reduction of $340 million. Third-quarter sales totaled $3.58 billion, up 5.6% from $3.39 billion last year. They posted third-quarter net profits of $235 million, or 73 cents a diluted share, compared with $398 million, or $1.21, one year ago. Excluding a charge of $350 million in the quarter to cover 3,400 job cuts and asset writedowns, Rochester, N.Y.-based Kodak earned $1.45 share, compared with $1.21 last year. R&D spending was reduced, both in dollar terms and as a percentage of sales. Selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding advertising, were unchanged as a percentage of sales. Sales at its consumer imaging unit, which includes the film and photographic paper business that accounts for more than half of Kodak's business, grew 5 percent over last year. (10/15) Eastman Kodak Co. plans to move its European headquarters to Geneva, Switzerland, from England. Forty of the 100 employee's in Kodak's Uxbridge, England, office will move to Geneva in mid-2000. In the regions covered by the European headquarters, sales fell ~ 21% to $3.7 billion from 1996 to 1998. (9/11)

Xerox Corporation-- Xerox Corp. posted an 11% drop in third-quarter profits due to intense competition and a reorganization of its U.S. Customer Service Division. The company reported quarterly net income of $339 million, or 47 cents a share, versus $381 million or 53 cents a share in the same quarter of 1998. B&L's profit margin of 43.3% dropped 3% from the third quarter last year. The company reported revenues of $4.628 billion versus $4.607 billion in 1998. (10/15)

Bausch & Lomb Inc.-- Bausch & Lomb reported income in the third quarter was $37.3 million, or 64 cents per diluted share, compared to $33.7 million, or 60 cents per share a year ago. Of $446.3 million in revenues recorded in the third quarter from continuing operations, Bausch & Lomb said it saw 20% revenue growth in its pharmaceutical/surgical segment and 5% growth in its vision care line. Total revenues from continuing operations rose 11%. Bausch & Lomb's third quarter earnings results excluded one-time gains of $181.9 million after tax, or $3.09 per diluted share, from its previously announced divestiture of remaining non-core businesses. (10/01)

Home Properties of New York Inc.-- Home Properties announced the $1.7 million acquisition of the development business of Community Investment Strategies Inc., a New Brunswick, N.J., affordable housing company. CIS has 10 communities with ~ 750 units in either the planning or development stage. The purchase price was paid in operating partnership units, convertible to Home Properties common shares on a one-for-one basis. (8/3)

Paychex Inc.-- Earnings at Paychex Inc., a payroll service company located in the town of Penfield, increased 36%, from $102 million to $139 million, for the fiscal year and 35%, from $28.1 million to $37.9 million, in fourth quarter 1999. Total service revenues for the fourth quarter, ended June 1999, were up 19%, from $132 million to $157 million. For the year, service revenues were $597 million, up 21% from $494 million in fiscal 1998. (6/30)

Genesee Brewing Co.-- Pabst Brewing Co., the nation's No. 4 brewer, is interested in the acquisition of Rochester's Genesee Corp. Genesee Corp is the nation's fifth-largest brewer, with sales of 1.5 million barrels last year. Net sales for the company's core Genesee Brewing Co. were $103.3 million in 1998, down 11.9% from the prior year. (7/10)

Banking Acquisitions-- Thompkins Trustco Inc. agreed to buy Letchworth Bancshares, a Wyoming County bank holding company, for approximately $81.5 million in stock. Letchworth is the holding company for the Bank of Castile, which operates 12 branches. The Bank of Castile will continue to operate as a community bank under its own board once the deal is completed. Letchworth has $447 million in assets and operates branches in Wyoming, Genesee and Livingston counties, as well as its Chili office. (8/3) Niagara Bancorp. Inc. announced plans to buy Albion Banc Corp. for approximately $12.4 million. Albion Federal Savings and Loan will merge into Lockport Savings Bank. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2000, subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals. (9/3)

Home Sales-- According to the Greater Rochester Association of Realtors, home sales in the 11-county Rochester region for the year to date are up 12.6% while sales in the city have risen 14.4%, compared with the same period a year ago. A total of 1,404 existing single-family houses were sold in August, the highest level since the Association began tracking sales in 1989. The median price for August fell 3.9% from July to $92,250. (8/11, 9/8)

Population-- According to new estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau, Rochester is now the 79th-largest city in the nation, down 13 spots since 1990. Rochester's population has decreased 5.8% (13,469) from 230,356 in 1990 to 216,887 in 1998. The population shrank 27,458 or 8.4% for Buffalo and 11,645 or 7.1% for Syracuse. Overall, the census bureau stated that among the 2,578 cities with 10,000 or more people last year, 1,854 had grown while 724 had lost population since 1990. (6/30)

Bankruptcy-- The Rochester division of U.S. Bankruptcy Court reported a total of 348 filings for the month of July; a decrease of 6.7% from the previous month. For the year to date, a total of 2,377 petitions have been filed, 17% less than in the comparable 1998 period. The strong economy and low unemployment rate was cited as a reason for the decreased number of filings. (8/5)

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Penfield-- Paychex, Inc. is developing plans for a five-story, 200,000 square-foot building near its existing headquarters at 911 Panorama Trail South. The building would straddle the Penfield-Pittsford town line. The 200,000 square-foot building would represent the first phase of a revised expansion plan, previously submitted last September. (7/15)

Perinton-- PaeTec Communications Inc. plans to lease 50,000 square feet in the new 100,000 square-foot building planned by CrossKeys Corp., a property leasing and management company, in Willowbrook Office Park on Pittsford-Victor Road. Crosskeys will seek approval for the project from the town planning board in September. The new headquarters will add ~ 300 new jobs within a few years. PaeTec, a local telecommunications company founded last year by former ACC Corp. executives, currently occupies about 25,000 square feet in Fairport and employs approximately 150 people. (8/27)

Pittsford-- Flaum Management Co. Inc. and Christa Construction Inc., have terminated a contract to purchase the Citibank building on Garnsey Road. Flaum and Christa were not able to secure a commitment from a local employer to lease a major portion of its space. The three-story, 160,000 square-foot building, assessed at $11.5 million, has not been fully occupied since May 1998. (9/3)

Rochester-- Lewis Norry, president of Norry Management Corp., plans to spend $2 million to $4 million to renovate the former Canfield and Tack building. The 43,000 square foot, five-story building located at 192 Mill Street has been vacant since the printing company relocated in 1989. Norry declined to disclose the terms of the sale, which is expected to close the end of September. (9/11)

Rochester-- Platinum LLC purchased the former Rochester Hotel at 97 West Main Street and the Fenyvessy Building at 81-91 West Main Street. The developer formed Main and Plymouth LLC, a development group working hard to bring back downtown. M&P bought the 11-story, Fenyvessy Building for $695,000 from Rochester attorneys Edwin Foster and John Foster. Volunteers of America Inc. sold the former Rochester Hotel building for $10. The long-term goal for the company's latest acquisition - the 81-97 West Main Street property - is to build an office building or a parking garage on the 1.5 acres. (8/13)

Rochester-- Harter, Secrest & Emery LLP has given notice to plaza owner Midtown Rochester LLC, on the two-year section it occupies in the 1 million square-foot Midtown complex. The law firm has two leases, which, respectively, call for one years' and two years' notice of intent to vacate; each covers roughly half of the firm's four-floor suite. The firm has not yet identified new space, and it will need virtually all that time to engineer a move. In addition, the Wolf Group advertising agency has given notice that they will leave when its lease expires in March. The Wolf Group, which occupies nearly a full floor at Midtown, is planning to lease a slightly larger space in a nearby downtown building. (8/27)

Rochester-- Monroe County is seeking county lawmakers approval to borrow $2.2 million to purchase the city government Public Safety Building for a sheriff's department headquarters. If lawmakers approve the buying the building, the county would lease it back to the city for $1 until the spring of 2001, when the city's new Public Safety Building should be complete. This proposal is just one of many projects to be voted on as the county and the city remake the downtown Civic Center. The Civic Center changes include: The county's $15.6 million project to renovate the Hall of Justice, the county's main courthouse, the city's $18.8 million project to build a five-story Public Safety Building at the south end of the Civic Center Plaza, and the county's $49 million expansion of its jail on the west side of the plaza facing Plymouth Avenue. (9/14)

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Fairport-- Richard Rainaldi, property manager for the Village Landing announced that Charles W. Jaobsen Inc. Oriental Rugs will fill the former Rite Aid Pharmacy location. The rug store, based in Syracuse, will only be occupying 5,000 square feet of the location, leaving 3,000 square feet for another possible tenant. (7/21)

Gates-- Retail giant Wal-Mart plans to build a 200,000 square-foot, 24-hour super-center to replace the decaying 40-year-old Westgate Plaza. Wal-Mart plans require use of Westgate Park land. The state Assembly and Senate have passed a Gates request to relinquish control of Westgate Park so the Wal-Mart superstore can be built. The town's Zoning Board of Appeals approved variances for signage as part of the Chili Avenue project. Buffalo-based Benderson Development Co. plans to build 5 separate buildings to replace Westgate Plaza. Wal-Mart and Eckerd Drugs have agreed to lease space in the new buildings. (6/16) The Town Board approved a plan to relocate Westgate Park and replace Westgate Plaza with a 17.5-acre shopping complex. The vote rezones two adjoining properties from residential to general business. Under the newly approved plan, the buffer-zone provided by the park will become a maximum 130 feet wide. (7/7)

Greece-- Jo-Ann etc, the new brand name for stores that are three times the size of traditional Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft stores, will open a 45,000 square-foot store at the former Sun location on West Ridge Road. The existing 11,300 square-foot Jo-Ann stores in Elmridge Plaza and Northgate Plaza will close. The location will be leased from Benderson Development Corp. The new Jo-Ann etc will be the fifth in New York State. There are 49 traditional Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft stores in the state, averaging 15,000± square feet. The company operates more than 1,000 stores nationwide. (9/2, 9/9)

Henrietta-- Flaum Management Co. Inc. purchased Cohoes Commons from the Simon-DeBartolo Group for $4.2 million last May. They recently closed on the purchase of the Lechmere land and building from AEW Corp., which was not part of the original deal. According to a Flaum leasing agent, the 272,500 square-foot strip plaza at 1225 Jefferson Road is becoming revitalized. The Ski Company is moving into a new 11,000 square-foot store at the plaza. The new site doubles the company's building space from its previous 4,500 square-foot center at 1455 E. Henrietta Road. Approximately 15 new employees will join the company as sales representatives. The Worldwide LAX lacrosse equipment store is already open and Flaum has an agreement with Bill Gray's Restaurants to move into Union Square. Flaum Management has added three office tenants since taking over the mixed-use plaza - Origin Communications, Dial America and Kofile Inc. (8/27, 9/1)

Henrietta-- Office Depot, the world's largest office-supply retailer, will make its Rochester debut with a 25,000 square-foot store in part of the former Sun site in Henrietta Plaza, located at Jefferson and East Henrietta roads. The location will be leased from Benderson Development Corp. Sun exited the Rochester market in early 1997. (9/2)

Henrietta-- Ohio-based Jo-Ann Stores Inc. will open a 44,000 square-foot store in South Town Plaza near Burlington Coat Factory. It will take the space of four other storefronts who occupants have moved elsewhere in the plaza and will replace a 26,102 square-foot Jo-Ann's. Jo-Ann's etc., the new brand name for stores that are three times the size of traditional stores will be the sixth store to open in New York state. (9/2)

Henrietta-- Agway Energy Products, a subsidiary of Agway Inc., opened a new 3,400 square-foot retail center at 951 Jefferson Road. The company's Rochester headquarters will display a wide selection of home-heating equipment. Agway Inc. is the second-largest supplier of energy products in the country, with net earnings totaling $10.7 million and revenues of $1.7 billion. The company has been growing at a rate of 15% a year over the last three years. (9/8)

Perinton-- Canandaigua National Bank will move to Perinton Square, into the building that previously served as an M&T Bank branch. With the opening of the Perinton site, Canandaigua National Bank will have 16 branches in the area. CNB is one of the few locally owned banks left in the Ontario County region. (9/8)

Perinton-- A showroom affiliated with Chase-Pitkin Home and Garden will be located in the former site of the Village Green Bookstore, in Wegmans Plaza. The site, vacant for more than a year, was previously considered for a post office. (9/8)

Rochester-- Harry Forman Clothing Co. Inc., is closing its store located at 116 St. Paul Street. The company, which sold traditional menswear, was founded in 1932. The store is closing its doors after 67 years in business. (8/26)

Rochester-- Spot Coffee, a Buffalo-based coffee house and restaurant, has signed a non-binding letter of agreement with developer Home Properties of New York Inc. for the 6,000 square-foot art deco showroom, on East Avenue Winthrop and Mathews streets. Spot Coffee, founded in 1996, has stores in downtown Buffalo and Ellicottville. (8/5)

Victor-- BJ's Wholesale Club has signed a lease to renovate the 108,000 square-foot former Caldor location adjacent to the EastView Mall. The membership warehouse expects to be open by the end of the year. It will be the company's third Monroe County site. They currently operate stores in Henrietta and Webster. (8/26)

Victor-- Rochester area developer Robert Fallone wants to build a 56,510 square-foot shopping center that would include four home-furnishing stores on an 8-acre parcel of land across from Hampton Inn & Suites. The town Planning Board approved 67,000 square feet of development for the site in 1996, but the shopping plaza was never completed and the approval has expired. The new application reduces the size of the building by 16%. The development would share an entrance with the retail ventures slated by Benderson Development on 94.4 acres to the south. The Benderson plan calls for a 24-hour Wal-Mart superstore, another retail store, a three-story hotel and office space. The developer needs approvals from the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, County Planning Board and the town's recently formed Architectural Review Committee. (7/15)

Webster-- Staples Inc. will open a store in Webster Square at Hard and Ridge roads. Framingham, Mass. based Staples will begin building the 24,049 square-foot office-supplies store soon and plans to open in February 2000. The store will employ 40 workers. Staples' other area stores are located in Henrietta and Irondequoit. (8/11)

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Batavia-- Nabisco plans to build a $2 million food warehouse and distribution facility in the Batavia Gateway Corporate Park. The town Planning Board unanimously approved initial plans for the 40,000 square-foot facility. Genesee County Industrial Development Agency stated the project would bring 15 full-time jobs to the area. Pending final approval, construction could begin this fall. (8/5)

Chili-- Luxottica Group SpA, which bought Bausch & Lomb Inc.'s sunglasses division for $640 million last month, will shut down Ray-Ban's research and development offices in Chili, eliminating ~ 125 jobs. The town has downgraded its assessment of the 465 Paul Road facility to $7 million due to sunglasses manufacturing being transferred out of the area. B&L sold the 300,000 square-foot building, to Buckingham Properties last year and centralized its sunglasses operations into three manufacturing and distributing centers - located in Hong Kong, Ireland, and San Antonio, Texas. (7/31)

Fishers-- Burleigh Instruments, a maker of scientific measuring systems, is spending $1 million to expand in Ontario County. The company plans to add 15,000 square feet to its 20,000 square-foot facility. The new space is to make room for engineering research and design. The expansion will bring 21 high-tech jobs to the area and make the company eligible for a $100,000 capital grant from Empire State Development. (6/30)

Gates-- Kodak is consolidating operations and leaving Elmgrove Park after 31 years. The move, which eliminates an estimated 500 jobs, is part of the plan the cut 8,800 jobs in the Rochester area. Kodak annually pays $1 million of Gates' $6.5 million tax levy, 15.4%, and more than $4 million in school taxes. Under a 1992 deal between Kodak and the town, Kodak has paid taxes on the 14-building facility based on a partial assessment. (7/23) The County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency will take $100,000 from its budget for a marketing campaign for the soon-to-be-vacant, 5.1 million square foot, Elmgrove plant. Kodak will spend $75,000, the state's Empire State Development Corp. will contribute $50,000, and Rochester Gas and Electric Corp. will spend $25,000. (8/12)

Rochester-- Thermal Systems of New York, a new local corporation, is planning to open a tire recycling facility on Cairn Street. The $20 million project would create 36 full-time jobs within eight months of completion. Thermal Systems would add on to an existing building on Cairn Street. Construction would start in April 2000 and last one year. The project requires planning and zoning board approval from the city of Rochester and approval for a tax-exempt bond from COMIDA. (7/21)

Rochester-- 1999 Mt. RB LLC, a new company run by David DelMonte, plans to spend $5 million to redevelop the former 3M film-making complex at 1999 Mt. Read Boulevard into an industrial park. The renovation of the four buildings on the 55-acre parcel is expected to create a minimum of 38 full-time jobs within three years of project completion next August. The project was approved for property tax abatements through the County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency's Jobs Plus program. (8/18)

Rochester-- The city of Rochester announced plans to sell the first parcel of land in the 14621 Industrial Park for $47,000 to German Machine Inc., a manufacturer of precision parts for office and medical machines. The company's move from its Hollenbeck Street facility will create 10 to 20 new jobs in the next three years. Construction will come in two phases: A 22,000 square-foot factory at an estimated cost of $800,000 is scheduled to begin in September. The second phase will include the construction of a 10,000 to 22,000 square-foot addition, within three years of the property sale closing. Companies who show preference in hiring to 14621 residents may qualify for state Economic Development Zone benefits. They include tax credits, tax abatements, sales tax refunds, and utility discounts up 30%. In addition, low interest loans and grants are available for purchase of real estate, equipment, and construction costs. (6/29)

Spencerport-- Hover-Davis Inc. announced plans to build a $5.8 million, 60,000 square-foot manufacturing and engineering plant in Ogden, creating approximately 150 jobs by 2003. Hover-Davis will break ground at the Westover Center Industrial Park next spring and expects to open the new building by October 2000. The company will close its two other local facilities - a 15,000 square-foot building at 10 Turner Dr and a 13,000 square-foot building at 65 Elmgrove Road. The 10-year-old company has been approved for a $500,000 Empire State Development Corp. grant for training and infrastructure. Monroe County's economic development department has authorized a $125,000 low-interest loan. (7/10)

Webster-- Trident Precision Manufacturing has received property tax abatement approval for a planned $1.4 million, 33,750 square-foot plant addition on 13 acres at 734 Salt Road. The project will result in the creation of 21 full-time jobs at the 155-employee company. Construction is to begin in mid-September and end in January. (8/18)

Webster-- Developer, William Boulter received Planning Board approval to build a 40,000 square-foot industrial facility on 9.7-acres near 1750 Boulter Industrial Parkway. The building would be the site of a light assembly plant that could employ about 25 people. Boulter must obtain Town Board approval before the project can proceed. (7/14)

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Fairport-- William Durdel is interested in buying the 113-year-old Crosman Center with plans to convert it into senior citizen apartments. Durdel's purchase of the building will depend on whether he receives tax credits from the state Division of Housing and Community Renewal. The building, owned by the village of Fairport, was last occupied by the Perinton Recreation and Parks Department. (6/16)

Gates-- The Town Board has voted to reconsider the Rochester Christian Church's application to rezone a 10-acre, church-owned site at the rear of the church from a single-family designation to multiple-family so it can build the two-story, 52-unit senior citizens apartment building. If the Town Board approves the rezoning, the Planning Board will then review the plan. The Zoning Board will look at the new plans and determine whether zoning variances are needed. (7/10, 8/11)

Geneseo-- Construction on the $2.5 million townhouse development, April Meadows, will start next spring on Meagan Drive in the village. April Meadows will comprise 24 three-bedroom townhouse units, aimed at families with incomes between 38 and 60 percent of the area's median. Median income for a family of four in the area is $50,000. The project received a $1.1 million grant as well as $188,000 in tax credits. (7/15)

Greece-- The Planning Board approved a senior-living community proposed for 3330 Mount Read Blvd. Newmark Development Co. plans to build the Crescent Park assisted-living center on a 13.3-acre parcel of undeveloped land. Construction of the facility is expected to be split into three phases. Phase one and two consists of erecting the four assisted-living residences. The last step of the project will include construction of a memory-care unit for Alzheimer' disease and other memory-related illnesses. Building plans have to be reviewed by the town inspection services before Newmark receives a building permit. (7/1)

Greece-- The town has granted all the necessary approvals for Guiliano Development Corp.'s Fetzner Square project, a 15-acre development that will include the new police 2nd Precinct. Guilano Development will build the 4,000 square-foot facility, but the town is responsible for the interior design, at a cost of $50,000 to $60,000. In addition to the precinct, the site will be home to 12 two-story apartment buildings, with 148 units, as well as 52 townhouses. The townhouses will be a mixture of ranch and two-story buildings, some with garages. The Town Board rezoned ~ 15-acres of land from single-family homes to multi-family housing. The $12 million plan could be completed in less than two years. (6/17)

Henrietta-- Brentland Woods, a new assisted-living facility, located on East Henrietta Road will offer another housing option to senior citizens of low to moderate incomes. The 51-unit apartment-style housing community is sponsored by the Bishop Sheen Ecumenical Housing Foundation and managed by The Episcopal Church Home of Rochester, a nursing home on Mount Hope Avenue. Residents live in fully equipped, handicapped-accessible modern apartments, but a 24-hour staff is available to help with personal care and medication. Three meals a day are served in the dining room and there is housekeeping and laundry service as well as scheduled transportation. Brentland Woods has a capacity of 60 residents and will employ 15 direct patient-care workers. (8/4)

Penfield-- Developers of Ellison Heights Senior Apartment complex have submitted a revised proposal to the Planning Board for approval. The revised plan calls for building one seven-story and one eight-story structure, with a total of 199 units and 24 townhouses. The state appellate court ruled that the original proposed complex was too dense for the site between Penfield and Old Penfield roads. (7/7)

Pittsford-- Marriott International Inc., the developers of the proposed 60,000 square-foot Stratford Gardens facility are seeking a zoning change from the Town Board to build on vacant residential land adjacent to the Maplewood Inn. Marriott International wants to build a 130-unit assisted-living facility, with 106 units for seniors and 24 rooms for residents with the early onset of Alzheimer's disease. The project requires both Town Board approval for the zoning change and Planning Board approval of the proposed site plan. (8/16)

Pittsford-- The Town Board is recommending that a group home for developmentally disabled adults be located at 1 Cranston Road. The Continuing Developmental Service (CDS) wanted the home to be at 32 Whitecliff Drive. Both sites are in the same neighborhood; however, Whitecliff Drive had complications with the driveway being too small and on street parking. (6/23)

Victor-- The town Planning Board granted preliminary approval for two new housing developments. The proposed 110-acre Village on the Park subdivision would have 105 homes on the east side of Victor-Egypt Road. Approximately 60 acres within the development would be open space, including two soccer fields. The second subdivision, the Hamptons, is a 60-acre parcel on the south side of Gillis Road and will be home to 44 single-family homes. Both subdivisions use "clustering", which allows the developer to group homes together on slightly smaller lot sizes than the town code would allow in exchange for preserving open space. (6/24)

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Brighton-- The town, along with the Genesee Land Trust, purchased Corbett's Glen from Brigadoon Inc. for $287,500. The land trust contributed $75,000 of the purchase price, with the balance coming from the town. The glen is located on the Brighton-Penfield town line on Glen Road. The 18-acre area, bisected by Allens Creek, will remain as a "forever wild" park. (6/30)

Canandaigua-- Developer, Chris Iversen has received state approval for plans to build a restaurant and conference center on city land that is part of Kershaw Park. The state Assembly and the Senate approved bills granting Royal Lines Ltd. permission to use space in the public park to build Steamboat Landing restaurant and conference center. Construction on Steamboat Landing is scheduled to begin this fall. The center will be a 12,600 square-foot facility with an additional 1,300 square feet of deck space. The restaurant will have seating capacity for 135 patrons. The Department of Housing and Urban Development has granted Iversen $2.1 million to build the landing. (6/24)

Farmington-- Al Lent, a Fairport developer, has submitted preliminary plans to build an 81,360 square-foot sports dome on 5.5 acres of vacant land on Beaver Creek Road across from the Finger Lakes Race Track and next to Sledgehammers restaurant and night club. The plans call for a 60 to 70 foot tall, air supported structure that would house a 70-yard golf driving range and an inline hockey rink. A small building attached to the dome would house locker rooms, an office, snack shop and an entrance to a patio leading to an 18-hole, upscale miniature golf course outside. Pending Town Board approval, Lent hopes to open the Finger Lakes Sports Dome complex by January 1st. (8/5)

Geneseo-- Construction is scheduled to start by the end of July on Noyes Memorial Hospital's $6 million medical center. The 33,000 square-foot facility will be located on a 10.7 acre site owned by the hospital along Route 20A. The Geneseo Ambulatory Care Center is being designed for outpatient needs. The After Hours Care Center that the hospital runs east of the village will move to the new center. (7/14)

Greece-- The U.S. Postal Service plans to build a 27,000 square-foot facility just west of the Wegmans grocery store, near the intersection of Latta and Long Pond roads. The new facility is scheduled to open within 12 to 18 months. The Postal Service is a federal agency and is exempt from town codes and ordinances related to building, zoning and planning. (7/15, 9/2)

Henrietta-- The Town Board sold the Riverton Golf Course and added ~ 80 acres to town holdings. The board voted to sell the golf course for $509,238 to Joseph C. DeMino Inc, the company that currently manages the course and to purchase the Tirabassi Farm on Martin Road for $250,000. DeMino's bid waived the family's right to $60,000 in the town's course improvement fund. (9/8)

Hopewell-- Hudson Hotels Corp., a Rochester based management company, added the Budget Lodge-Finger Lakes Motor Inn to the list of hotels it operates in the Canandaigua lakefront area. Budge Lodge owners reached an agreement with Hudson Hotels to take over the daily management of the lodge. Hudson Hotels, formerly known as Microtel Franchising and Development, has a similar arrangement with the owners of the Canandaigua Inn on the Lake on South Main Street and the Econo Lodge on Routes 5 and 20. (7/21)

Penfield-- Delveloper, CPC Golf has given the town 22 acres of land near the Town Hall in exchange for permission to operate an 18 hole golf complex aimed at adults. The donated land, which would be used as parkland, lies near the southwest corner of Penfield Center Road and Route 250. The 33-acre parcel where the CPC Golf would build the complex is located across the street. The Town Board's acceptance of the 22 acres was the town's first use of a 1995 incentive zoning law. (8/13)

Rochester-- New Faith Community approved buying a structure located at 120 Franklin Street for a new community outreach. The faith group that broke away from Corpus Christi Church paid $115,000 for the Grace of God Recovery House. The house will be an outreach for needy men and administered by Sister of St. Joseph Margie Henninger. (6/29)

South Bristol-- Bristol Mountain Resort announced a $4.2 million expansion project over the next five to seven years in order to become a year round, not seasonal, tourist destination. The project has received a $125,000 infrastructure grant and a $125,000 loan from Empire State Development. The investment is expected to create 70 full-time jobs over the next five years. The improvement plan will include replacing the existing chair lift with a $2 million high-speed lift, upgrading the 35 year-old facilities, an 18-hole golf course and mountaintop restaurant. The first phase of the project is expected to begin in early July 1999. (6/20)

Spencerport-- Construction of the new 6,500 square-foot post office on the south corner of Amity and Union streets is approximately 30% complete. Wegman Specialties, a local developer, is building the facility. A major feature of the building will be a postal store; the current post office, housed in a 4,250 square-foot building at 174 Union St., does not have a retail section. The project completion date is late November. (7/27)

Webster-- Webster Community Sports Complex, the town's first ice rink is open to the public. The new rink is the product of three years of planning, nine months of construction and $2.2 million, most of it raised privately. The 46,000 square-foot building, at 865 Publishers Parkway, includes regulation ice under a 35-foot roof, locker rooms, and a pro shop. (8/5)

Webster-- Town officials will spend $550,000 to buy 50 acres of land north of Route 104 for future use as a park. The town will pay off the loan in five years by using revenue from a $700 recreation fee now included in the cost of building permits for new homes. The purchase came as part of an initiative from the Parks and Recreation Department to expand the town's park holdings. The two properties are located between Gravel Road and Maple Drive and are assessed by the town at $87,300 and $62,800 respectively. (8/6)

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Farmington-- The state Department of Transportation has begun a $26.4 million expansion of Route 332 from a two-lane country road into a divided, four-lane highway. The project involves the relocation of gas and oil lines, and electric, telephone and cable utilities. All utilities that use the road's right-of-way, which is owned by the state, must be moved at the expense of the utility company. The relocation of phone lines alone will cost Frontier Telephone of Rochester more than $3 million. The reconstruction project along the 7-mile stretch of land is expected to take two years to complete. (7/21)

Hampton Corners-- Construction will start the spring of 2000 on $2.5 million worth of water and sewer popes running to the American Rock Salt mine in Livingston County. The U.S. Department of Commerce - Economic Development Administration pledged $1.5 million in federal assistance. American Rock Salt will put another $500,000, as will Livingston County. The new water and sewer pipes will tie into the village of Mount Morris' system. The sewer and water lines will be one of the last remaining pieces of infrastructure to be done for the mine. (9/13)

Henrietta-- The state will fund a $1 million road project near Konar Industrial Park by connecting West Henrietta Road with Erie Station Road. The new road will join Konar with the nearby Thruway Park Industrial Center, creating a total park of 168 acres. The park is the site of a new 45,000 square-foot facility for ADT Security Systems. ADT plans to create more than 600 jobs over the next three years. The state expects road construction to begin later this summer. (7/30)

Ontario County-- The towns of Farmington and West Bloomfield and the village of Victor will receive $155,000 in state funds to pay for two parks and economic development. Twenty acres off Mertensia Road in the town of Farmington will be converted into a town park using $100,000 of the state funds. West Bloomfield town leaders will use the funds to apply for additional grants for a memorial park project located on 10 acres in the center of town. $15,000 will go to the village of Victor to help with economic development in downtown. (8/5)

Webster-- Town Board members voted to purchase the bank branch located at 973 Ridge Road. It is now owned by M&T Bank, but the bank plans to close the branch on Sept. 17. The town plans to demolish the bank and move a portion of Shoecraft Road a couple hundred feet east to directly meet Hard Road. According to town records, the parcel is assessed at $282,000. (9/3)