News Release - City Dedicates Andrew Langston Way at Midtown Rising

City of Rochester

News Release

(Wednesday, September 24, 2014) – Mayor Lovely Warren, City Council President Loretta Scott and Senator Joe Robach were joined today by Gloria Langston and other Langston family members to dedicate a new street within the Midtown Rising Downtown redevelopment project as “Andrew Langston Way.” The new street begins at East Main Street opposite the Liberty Pole and runs south the Elm Street. 

Andrew Langston founded WDKX-FM 103.9 radio in 1974, and passed away in 2010. The station went on the air as one of the first black-owned radio stations in New York and today is one of the only locally owned radio stations in Rochester. At the time, WDKX provided a source for local African American businesses to advertise that hadn’t existed before.

“Andrew Langston and the Midtown Plaza were both very dear and important institutions to many Rochesterians and it is an honor to be here today paying homage to both,” said Mayor Warren. “Midtown Plaza was a pioneer among indoor malls in America and Andrew Langston was a pioneer for black-owned radio stations. It is fitting to honor his legacy with this lasting tribute to his many contributions to this community, which, due to the generosity of the Langston Family, continue today.”

“I am so pleased that we are able to honor Mr. Langston in this way,” said Council President Scott. “It is a much deserved recognition of his dedication to the support and development of our community and his efforts will now be remembered for generations to come.”

“My father’s dream was to create a radio station that would benefit the community – a place where people could get information, share information and have a voice,” said Andre Marcel. “Receiving this honor from the City of Rochester shows that his dream came true and is appreciated. On behalf of the entire Langston Family, we are forever grateful and will continue to be that voice for the Rochester community.”

The dedication ceremony featured the unveiling of a street sign bearing Mr. Langston’s name. A total of three signs bearing his name will be erected. The Langston family took the first official ride down the street. The street name was selected from among suggestions submitted by the public to the City in March. The City Planning Commission and City Council approved the name in May.

“Andrew Langston’s contributions to the Rochester community were monumental,” said Assemblyman Gantt. “His radio station provided the people a voice and an outlet that previously didn’t exist. “I think it is both fitting and proper to rename this street after him.”

“It is fitting that this road is being named in remembrance of Andrew Langston, a visionary and entrepreneurial role model that never gave up and created a great radio station that not only plays great music, but also stays connected to its listeners and the Rochester community,” said Senator Robach.
The City Planning Commission and City Council also approved the name ‘Midtown Commons’ for the open space area at the Midtown project. Its dedication ceremony will take place at a later date.

The Midtown Rising redevelopment involved a series of partnerships designed to position Rochester for the future by re-shaping a significant 9-acre portion of Downtown through major public and private investment, job creation and infrastructure development. More information can be found at www.cityofrochester.gov/midtown.

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