News Release - Midtown Rising Partners Complete Environmental Review

City of Rochester

News Release

(February 20, 2009) - The redevelopment of the Midtown Plaza site took a major step forward today. The City issued the Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement (FGEIS), clearing the way for building demolition, establishment of a street grid, development of public improvements and preparation of various development parcels within the 8.5 acres of real estate downtown.

“I am very pleased to reach this important milestone,” said Mayor Robert J. Duffy. “This project is a genuine example of how public-private collaborations can benefit our city for generations to come. I would like to thank Governor Paterson and our partners at Empire State Development for their continued support of this project. I am also extremely grateful to the team that put the plan together and to the public participants who helped guide and shape it along the way.”

The FGEIS supplements the Draft GEIS (DGEIS) that was published in Nov., 2008 and includes responses to all substantive public input. The FGEIS can be viewed in its entirety on the Midtown Rising Web site: www.midtownrochesterrising.com. Copies are also available for review at City Hall, Room 125B, 30 Church St. and at the Rundel Library, 115 South Ave.

The City’s environmental review process concludes with the adoption of the N.Y. State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) Findings by the City, the State of New York and other decision-making agencies that have jurisdiction in funding or approving actions associated with the project. The City, State and such decision-making agencies are required to allow a statutory 10-day waiting period after the FGEIS is issued before concluding their findings. Rochester City Council will consider adoption of the GEIS Findings on March 18. Once the findings are adopted, further SEQR compliance will not be required provided all future proposed actions on the site are within the parameters set forth in the FGEIS and the Findings Statement.

The City will now begin the process of amending its Urban Renewal Plan (URP). The amended URP will be the subject of a public hearing at the City Planning Commission meeting on Mar. 16. City Council will hold a public hearing and consider the proposed amendments to the URP at its May 12 meeting.
For more information on Midtown Rising, including the FGEIS, project timeline and frequently asked questions, please visit the Midtown Rising Web site at www.MidtownRochesterRising.com.