News Release - Mayor, State Leaders Cut Ribbon at Reconstructed South Avenue Garage

 City of Rochester

News Release

(Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2010) – Mayor Robert J. Duffy joined New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Assemblymen David Gantt and Joseph Morelle and City Council President Lovely Warren today in a historic ceremony to mark the grand re-opening of the South Avenue Garage, an event that would not have been possible without $12.2 million in emergency state assistance prompted by the April 21, 2006 collapse of a portion of the garage’s helix-shaped ramp.

“In many ways, today is a day to celebrate what did not happen,” said Mayor Duffy. “I will never look at the South Avenue Garage without giving thanks that nobody was killed or injured on the day the helix collapsed. When I consider the significance of the South Avenue Garage to the vitality of downtown Rochester, I am extremely grateful that so many people on so many levels took such remarkable steps to not only restore this garage, but make it better with minimal impact on the general public. Chief among the people I want to thank are Sheldon Silver and our local leaders in the State Assembly, David Gantt and Joseph Morelle. Without their tremendous support in Albany, we would not be standing here today.”

“It is critically important for this city and for our state to rebuild and revitalize our urban centers and our urban economies,” said Assembly Speaker Silver. “For there to be any growth and job creation in the upstate economy, we must build a strong foundation of infrastructure that supports economic activity. I congratulate Assemblymembers David Gantt, Joe Morelle and the entire Rochester Assembly delegation, as well as Mayor Robert Duffy for their strong advocacy on behalf of the South Avenue Garage.”

“I am truly honored to join Speaker Silver, my colleagues and Mayor Duffy at the unveiling of the South Avenue Garage, which is such an important asset to the development of downtown Rochester,” said Assemblyman David Gantt. “Without the help of Speaker Silver in securing $12.2 million in state funding for this project, I know the City of Rochester would not have been able to afford it. I take pride in being able to assist my city in securing funding for important projects like this.”

“Today is a reminder that even in difficult times we must invest in our infrastructure and in the future of our community,” said Assemblyman Joseph Morelle. “Rebuilding this garage is an essential element of our long-term strategy for the rebirth of downtown Rochester, and thanks to Mayor Duffy’s extraordinary leadership that rebirth is well under way. I am pleased to have joined my colleagues in the Assembly to help make this day a reality.”

“It gives me great pleasure to stand here today to celebrate the completed renovations of the South Avenue garage. Four years ago, when the helix first collapsed, we weren’t sure if this day would even be a possibility,” said Council President Lovely A. Warren. “But here we are, with a newly revamped garage that will provide accessible and much-needed parking for the citizens of greater Rochester area for many years to come. The people of this community are fortunate to have elected officials who care about our city, and who work hard to make sure the necessary funding finds its way to the projects that are important to our future. I thank them most sincerely for their efforts.”

“The South Avenue Garage is the first and last impression our guests experience when they visit downtown Rochester,” said Joseph Floreano, Executive Director of the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. “The garage is a determining factor in whether that experience is a rewarding one. We are indeed very fortunate that so many people understood the important role this facility plays in the stability of downtown Rochester.”

The South Avenue Garage was shut down for several months in 2006 after the collapse on a late Friday afternoon. Miraculously, no vehicles were on the ramp at the time and no one was injured.

Within days of the collapse, Speaker Silver and Assemblyman Gantt contacted Mayor Duffy to offer their assistance to ensure that the garage was returned to full working order as soon as possible. The reconstruction project was funded by $8 million from the Empire State Development Corporation and $4.2 million from the Community Enhancement Facilities Assistance Program. As a result of that funding, the garage has been renovated into a state-of-the-art parking facility that should not require significant repairs for several decades.

With more than 1,800 parking spaces, the South Avenue Garage is the primary parking facility for the Rochester Riverside Convention Center, the Hyatt Regency Hotel and more than 1,000 employees who work at some of downtown Rochester’s most significant employers, including JP Morgan Chase, Nixon Peabody and Action for a Better Community.

It is owned by the City and operated under contract by the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. More than 400,000 visitors and daily commuters use the garage each year, making it the busiest parking garage in downtown Rochester.

In honor of the re-opening, the Convention Center demonstrated its appreciation to the more than 1,000 monthly parkers who remained loyal customers during the disruptions by awarding nine randomly drawn customers gift certificates to local businesses including the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and the Pier 45 restaurant.

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News Media: For more information, contact Gary Walker, Director of the Bureau of Communications at 428-7405.






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