City of Rochester
News Release
(Wednesday, March 17, 2010) – As part of a Center City workforce traffic and parking study, the City will conduct a public open house next week, 4 - 6 p.m., Monday, March 22, in the Kate Gleason Auditorium at the Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County, 115 South Ave. The study will assist the City’s plans to develop realistic alternatives that will enhance commuting and multi-modal traffic circulation Downtown.
“Big changes are in store for our Downtown and we value commuters who bring vitality to the Center City,” said Mayor Robert J. Duffy. “Their firsthand feedback is invaluable as we plan for the future. We all share excitement about the Midtown redevelopment, the newly constructed ESL headquarters, the relocation of Nothnagle’s headquarters here, the construction of the new Monroe County Crime Lab and the Eastman Theatre expansion to name just a few. We have good reasons to be very optimistic about the future of Downtown.”
Attendees may arrive at any time during the open house hours and are welcome to take as much time as needed to review information and ask questions. Brief presentations will be given and attendees will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from the City and study project team.
All Downtown developments being planned, proposed or in progress require the evaluation and assessment of new and creative solutions for Downtown’s infrastructure through a circulator study. The study is evaluating current commuting habits and gauging parking demands, as well as thresholds at which other means of commuting become attractive.
Among the more promising and ambitious recommendations being considered is the establishment of a transit ‘shuttle’ or ‘circulator’ to connect new or underutilized parking facilities within, and adjacent to, Downtown, with major Downtown destinations. The shuttle concept could allow commuters to save money by parking either inside or outside the Center City and be transported to their place of work. Carpooling, vanpooling and other methods of reducing commuter traffic Downtown are also being looked at in the study.
An online survey of Downtown workers is part of the study to determine transportation practices and preferences. All Downtown workers are being encouraged to take the survey, which can be accessed at: www.rsgsurvey.com/commuting/intro.asp.
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News Media: For more information, contact City Engineer Jim McIntosh at 428-6828.