Main Street Streetscape and Pedestrian Wayfinding Enhancement Phase II
St. Paul Street/South Avenue to State Street/Exchange Boulevard
Project Background
Currently, downtown Rochester is experiencing a surge of investment with numerous high profile redevelopment efforts underway. These projects together will bring considerable new retail opportunities to Center City, along with new residents, workers, dozens of new hotel rooms, and scores of new visitors.
It has been nearly 30 years since the corridor was reconstructed and its age is beginning to show. The decorative paver sidewalks have begun to fail, resulting in a significant ongoing maintenance cost to the City and adjacent property owners. Likewise, the corridor has outdated or inconsistent appurtenances such as pay phones, information kiosks and trash receptacles that hinder the appearance and functionality of Main Street. The curb to curb pavement width was designed to accommodate greater vehicular traffic flows than presently exist along with significant bus movement and queuing that has since been relocated to the new transit center. The corridor also lacks on-street bike facilities and does not comply with the City’s Complete Streets policy. A lack of any curb-side parking has significantly hindered retail development along the corridor and does not meet the needs of a redeveloped and reenergized Center City.
As the primary east-west axis for the City, the importance of reinvigorating the Main Street Streetscape was recognized as a component of the Roc the Riverway Vision Plan (Main Street Resurgence), calling for streetscape enhancements on Main Street from University Avenue to West Broad Street.
Main Street Streetscape improvements are among the highest priorities for Rochester’s downtown community. The functional and aesthetic quality of Main Street is of paramount importance to our city and region’s economic development and quality of life. These factors and this project provide an ideal opportunity to rethink the streetscape and how to maximize its contribution to the ongoing revitalization of Center City.
In 2015 the City began redesigning the Main Street Streetscape between St. Paul Street and East Avenue. This Phase I project, with extensive community input, has delivered a streetscape that complements the surge of public and private development taking place in Center City and provides the physical infrastructure, amenities and aesthetic presence reflective of the region’s cultural and economic heart. Construction was substantially complete in fall 2018.
Description
The Phase II project will extend the improvements designed and implemented as part of the Phase I project westward to the State / Exchange intersection. Improvements will include:
- Broom finish concrete sidewalks with permeable accent pavement;
- Benches, bicycle parking, and trash receptacles;
- Charging stations for phones and computers;
- New street trees planted in enlarged and curbed tree pits with under-plantings of shrubs and perennials for seasonal interest;
- Electrical outlets for street tree lighting and special events;
- Play elements integrated into the pedestrian zone;
- Salvaged and reinstalled historic markers;
- LED street lighting with banner arms and decoration brackets;
- Recessed parking with handicapped accessible spaces, where feasible;
- Travel lane reconfiguration to accommodate on-street bicycle facilities;
- Enhanced riverfront and trail connectivity;
- Main Street bridge aesthetic and functional enhancements;
- New bus shelters;
- Utility upgrades and adjustments;
- Mill and overlay of existing pavement;
- Traffic signs, signals and striping as needed.
Project Schedule
| Design: |
Completed Summer 2021 |
| Construction: |
Began summer 2021 and anticipated completion Fall 2022 |
Project Documents
Questions?
If you have questions or comments concerning the project, contact the City’s project manager, Jeffery J. Mroczek, R.L.A., Senior Landscape Architect, Department of Environmental Services, Bureau of Architecture & Engineering - Development Division, at (585) 428-7124 or email him.