City of Rochester
News Release
(Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021) – Mayor Lovely A. Warren announced today that the City is seeking a consultant to provide preliminary design services for the transformation of Rochester’s historic Erie Canal Aqueduct into a riverfront destination as part of the ROC the Riverway waterfront revitalization program.
“Every sign of progress for our ROC the Riverway program is exciting, but I am especially happy to see us moving forward with our plans for this linchpin of our riverfront transformation,” said Mayor Warren. “The Aqueduct is located in the heart of Rochester and at the core of our history. It is time to reimagine this important landmark as the centerpiece of a Downtown that once again embraces the potential of the Genesee River to help us create more jobs, safer and more vibrant neighborhoods and better educational opportunities.”
An engineering marvel that once carried the Erie Canal over the Genesee River, the aqueduct now serves as the foundation of the Broad Street Bridge. The ROC the Riverway Vision Plan calls for preserving the aqueduct’s original architecture by removing the roadway deck and converting the aqueduct into an iconic public space that would span the river between Downtown’s two largest visitor and entertainment venues, the Blue Cross Arena at the Rochester War Memorial and the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center. It would also close a significant gap in the Genesee Riverway Trail by serving as the anchor for new riverfront promenades and open the Rundel Memorial Library building’s north terrace, now under construction, to the riverfront.
Proposals must be submitted by Aug. 23.
To view the RFP or learn more, visit https://www.cityofrochester.gov/aqueduct/.
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