City of Rochester
News Release
(Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023) – Mayor Malik D. Evans today announced that the City
of Rochester has successfully negotiated a deal to preserve the city’s last
cobblestone house through a donation by the owner to the Rochester Land Bank
Corporation.
“Rochester has a past to
remember, a present to live and a future to build,” said Mayor Evans. “As we
write the next chapters of Rochester’s story, we cannot discard its early
chapters. I want to applaud the Land Bank for taking on this significant
responsibility.”
After it takes ownership of
the property at 1090 Culver Rd., the Land Bank will issue a Request For
Proposals seeking a project that will preserve the architectural character of
the house while restoring it for modern use.
The house is currently owned
by Kirsch Land LLC, which was preparing to demolish the structure and develop
the property for retail use.
According to the Cobblestone
Museum in Albion, the “Lockwood-Alhart House” is the only remaining cobblestone
house in Rochester and was built in 1835 using field stone of various shapes
and sizes. The Landmark Society of Western New York included the structure on
its annual “Five to Revive” list of irreplaceable historic landmarks in 2015.
“With its unique character
and prominent location, this historic house is a major landmark in the
Culver-Merchants-Beechwood area. Its renovation could serve as an important
catalyst for further revitalization in this historic neighborhood,” the
Landmark Society stated.
The Rochester Land Bank
Corporation is a non-profit organization that partners with the City of
Rochester to acquire and stabilize abandoned and vacant properties and
facilitate their redevelopment for productive use.
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The Administration of Mayor Malik D. Evans strives to create a safe, equitable and prosperous Rochester by inspiring hope and delivering opportunity for everyone. Guided by the Administration’s Mission, Vision and Values and the principles of the “Rochester 2034” comprehensive plan, City employees are committed to providing exceptional customer service, transparent stewardship, and collaborative leadership to foster a vibrant community that empowers personal, professional and generational growth for all who live, work or play in the city of Rochester.