ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- The first in a series of open houses at the Port of Rochester was held Wednesday with the goal of attractive prospective tenants.
The terminal building was built in 2003 to support ferry operations at the port. Once ferry service to Toronto was halted, the building has remained mostly vacant. With a new marina set to open this summer, the City of Rochester, which owns the building, is looking to lease nine vacant suites to anyone interested in opening a business there.
"There's going to be a lot of people down here, just by nature of people coming off their boats, people coming down to check out the new marina, So there's an opportunity for people to come in, establish a business really on the ground floor and we really believe this is going to be a very busy place this summer and going forward," said Paul Scuderi, City of Rochester Assistant real estate director.
Some of the vacant suites are restaurant-ready, and that brought Craig Ristuccia down from Hose 22 on Stutson Street. The restaurateur believes the second floor suite at the terminal, which used to house Pier 45, could be an ideal compliment to his existing restaurant.
"I'm interested in everything down here because I'm excited for the whole area," Ristuccia said. "I live down here, I have a business down here, own several properties down here so I think we're on the right track."
Sushi bar California Rollin' II has stuck it out in the terminal building since the days of the Fast Ferry. Owner Tom Beaman, Jr. says he wants to see what affect the new marina will have on business. He's hoping it will bring more foot traffic to the building.
"We got a bigger patio now. We just obtained our entertainment license. We're probably going to do a remodel down here and just basically plug away," Beaman said.
Two more open houses are planned for Jan. 14 and 19. Proposals must be submitted to City Hall no later than 3 p.m. on Jan. 29.