ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Gov. Kathy Hochul says five projects are getting underway she hopes will spur economic growth and bring more people to downtown Rochester. This comes as part of the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative Award.
The biggest project involves redeveloping four historic buildings at the intersection of Main and Clinton streets into four mixed-use buildings with thousands of square feet of commercial space.
"Through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, we are helping ensure our local partners have the resources they need to enhance New York's downtowns," Hochul said in a statement. "With this $10 million award, we are ushering in a new era for Rochester and creating more opportunity for residents as we make the community a better place to live, work and play."
Another project would construct a Main Street commons, which would be a new outdoor space to improve pedestrian traffic between St. Paul Street and Clinton Avenue.
"The projects selected for Rochester's Downtown Revitalization Initiative will return much needed vibrancy to the core of our Center City and accelerate the incredible momentum we are making to create a Downtown where everybody can live, work and play,” Rochester Mayor Malik Evans said in a statement. “I want to thank Gov. Hochul and the Empire State Development Finger Lakes Forward Initiative for supporting Rochester with this investment in our city. These funds will advance our efforts to create a hope-filled city with a prosperous future."
The governor’s office says the revitalization project is focused on creating an enhanced sense of place with renewed activity and liveliness. It aims to add housing, lodging accommodations, commercial spaces and public infrastructure improvements.
Renderings of the revitalization projects can be found here.