The ROC the Riverway
initiative consolidates more than two dozen transformative
projects along the Genesee River under a single concept to achieve synergy
and leverage the value of Rochester’s riverfront. Revitalizing the Genesee River corridor will
help fuel our local economy. RTR will serve as a major asset in attracting new
jobs and solidifying our identity as a vibrant waterfront community. Additional information about
the ROC the Riverway initiative can be found at https://www.cityofrochester.gov/ROCtheriverway/
This
project is also funded in part by a grant through the New York State Department
of State with funds provided under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection
Fund
About the Genesee
Gateway Park Project
The
City of Rochester is preparing the design of enhancements of Genesee Gateway
Park and the Genesee Riverway Trail along the Genesee River. The project will
be the culmination of a coordinated City/State/Private initiative to revitalize
the east side of the Genesee River between I-490 and Ford St. which resulted in
the rehabilitation of the East River Wall (1999), the redevelopment of the Erie
Harbor Apartments (2010) and Phase I of the Erie Harbor Enhancements Project
(2014). It will include the rehabilitation of Genesee Gateway Park and that
part of the Genesee Riverway Trail within the project area, which was disturbed
by site remediation and/or adjacent construction or has deteriorated over
time.
The
project area serves one of the busiest part of the Genesee Riverway Trail,
connecting Downtown Rochester and the University of Rochester. The outcome of
the project will be construction of park improvements to enhance the scenic
quality of the waterfront and better serve the increasing demand for access and
use of the area. The project will include design of park landscape
improvements, including walkways, walls, landform, plantings, furnishings,
wayfinding signage, recreational amenities, hand-carried boat launch assess to
the river, and trail and river railing rehabilitation.
In
light of the intensive and increasing use of the Genesee Riverway Trail, the
exceptional scenic quality of the waterfront, the success of the new mixed
income housing and associated streetscape and landscape improvements from phase
one of the project, the condition of the parkland has become a blighting
influence. Redesign of the function and character of the site is needed to
complete the major revitalization effort of the area, meet the current needs of
neighborhood and city-wide users, and serve as a scenic asset, consistent with
its setting on the waterfront.
Additional
Information
Schedule
Design
Completion: Fall 2021
Bid &
Award:
Fall 2021 – Spring 2022
Construction: Spring 2022 – Spring 2023
Public
Participation
Public Outreach &
Surveys
In
addition to Public Meetings the design team has captured public input through
pop-up meetings and web surveys.
Summaries of this input is provided below:
Public
Meeting #1
The project team hosted a Public Meeting on Thursday, April 26, 2018. The
presentation and concept plan display boards can be downloaded below.
Public Meeting #2
A second Public Meeting was held on Wednesday, October 30th, 2019 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Hamilton Apartments – First Floor Community Room. Information related to the meeting can be downloaded below. If you would like to provide comments on the project please submit all feedback by Wednesday, November 27, 2019. Please submit comments to the Project Manager listed below.
Public Meeting #3
A third and final public meeting was held on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, 6:00-8:00 p.m. The project team presented the final design plans that will be advanced to construction.
Questions?
If
you have questions or comments concerning the project, contact the City’s
project manager, Jeffery J. Mroczek, R.L.A., Senior Landscape Architect,
Department of Environmental Services - Development Division, at (585)
428-7124 or email him.