City of Rochester

News Release

(Friday, Aug 4, 2017) – Deputy Mayor Cedric Alexander joined Kathy Turiano of Joe Bean Coffee Roaster; Seth Eshelman of the Staach design firm; and Benjamin Woelk of Slow Road Consulting to celebrate the installation of Rochester’s first public parklet with a ribbon cutting ceremony today.

“I want to thank Joe Bean Coffee Roasters and the team that helped bring this exciting new amenity to our city,” said Mayor Lovely A. Warren. “This public parklet is the latest example of our ongoing efforts to transform Rochester’s built environment to reflect a city that values human interaction over the convenience of the automobile. Whether we replacing a parking lot with a marina, a sunken highway with a walkable, bikeable boulevard or an old fire lane with a parklet, we are increasing our emphasis on improving the quality of life in Rochester, which helps us create more jobs, safer more vibrant neighborhoods and better educational opportunities for our citizens.”

A parklet is a portion of the public right of way – such as a sidewalk or parking lane – that’s been converted to provide a place for people to relax, sit and gather. Parklets are owned and maintained by private businesses and often resemble private sidewalk seating, but they are open to the public. They create new destinations for residents, employees of nearby businesses and visitors while softening and beautifying the built environment, by incorporating wood, plantings and other natural elements to infrastructure that is often characterized by concrete and asphalt.

The Joe Bean Parklet was developed by Turiano, Eshelman and Woelk, who worked with City staff to gain the necessary approvals and raised the money to build, install and maintain the parklet. It is anticipated that other private entities will come forward with parklet concepts for other locations in the city.

The Joe Bean Parklet, located at 1344 University Ave, has been installed in a defunct fire lane. Its design also includes on-street parking, bicycle parking and space for pop-up retail and food-vending services.

For more information, visit http://www.rochesterparklet.com

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News Media: For more information, contact Press Officer Jessica Alaimo, 428-7135.