Center City Master Plan

Reconnecting to Rochester's Center City

Downtown Rochester has been the hub of the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region for nearly 200 years. It has seen many changes during that history. Now, more than any other time in the past half century, broad national, social, cultural, economic and demographic trends are coalescing to bring renewed energy to cities. A new generation is reconnecting with their downtowns. Rochester realizes the importance of a vibrant Center City and is dedicated to making decisions that will produce a high quality of urban life that its citizens are proud of and that is attractive to 21st century entrepreneurial talent and investment.

Updating the 2002 Center City Master Plan

The Center City Master Plan was first adopted in 2002. Since that time many development projects, political and market changes, budget issues and other events have affected Center City. The update of the Center City Master Plan provides an opportunity to listen to the public and downtown stakeholders and understand their views on the future of downtown Rochester.

Center City Survey

Thank you to all who took the survey earlier this year. The results can be found here. Thank you very much for your time and input towards making downtown Rochester a better place!

Public Engagement

We held many meetings from January to March, including a downtown residents meeting, a public open house, focus group meetings, and presentations to business associations and neighborhood groups. The next round of public engagement will be in September-October. Please send us your ideas on how to tell people about the Center City Master Plan. Are you part of, or do you know of a group that would like to hear about the plan? Please email centercity@cityofrochester.gov.