City of Rochester
News Release
(Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019) – Mayor Lovely A. Warren was
joined by Kisha Santiago-Martinez, Deputy Secretary of State in the N.Y. State
Office of Planning, Development & Community Infrastructure to officially
open the Promenade at Erie Harbor and announce the details of the 2019 ROC the
Riverway Weekend.
“This new 20-foot-wide, 200-foot-long walkway gives
unprecedented access to this part of the Genesee river and provides stunning,
up-close views of the Court Street Dam and Downtown,” Mayor Warren said. “Thanks
to the generosity of Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Department of
State, the ROC the Riverway initiative is well underway, and by reengaging the
river we continue our efforts to create more jobs, safer and more vibrant
neighborhoods and better educational opportunities.
The Promenade, located off Court Street, is constructed
along the east side of the Johnson-Seymour Mill Race. Together with the planned
Rundel Library North Terrace and the Aqueduct Re-Imagined projects, it will
help form a seamless connection along the western bank of the Genesee River.
The New York Department of State contributed $1.44 million
to the project and Gov. Andrew Cuomo has committed $50 million toward the
overall ROC the Riverway initiative, 28 projects that will fundamentally
transform Rochester’s riverfront.
New York Secretary of State Rossana Rosado said, “The
Department of State is proud to have contributed to bring a new beautiful Erie
Harbor promenade to Rochester. This waterfront transformation of an underutilized
property will bring new recreational amenities and create a truly wonderful
urban waterfront experience for the city and this is just the beginning of
great things to come. By providing a walkable waterfront, the city will attract
visitors to the Genesee River and encourage economic development to the
surrounding area.”
Mayor Warren also announced the details of ROC the Riverway
weekend, Oct. 4 to 6. The longstanding series of events, formerly known as
River Romance, is a celebration of Rochester’s history, centered along the
Mighty Genesee.
In addition to its normal slew of activities and events,
this year’s ROC the Riverway weekend will feature two new events, a tour of
Kodak Tower Commons on Friday and “ROC the Chalk,” a pop-up event on the Broad
Street Bridge Saturday with food, buskers and a community chalk art
installation. There will also be a pop-up skate park and demonstration.
“This is the community’s chance to witness history in
progress and learn how we continue to harness the natural beauty of the Genesee
to build our community and grow our economy,” Mayor Warren said.
For more information on ROC the Riverway and ROC the
Riverway weekend, visit www.cityofrochester.gov/roctheriverway.
For more information on the Erie Harbor Promenade,
visit: www.cityofrochester.gov/erieharborpromenade.
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News Media: For more information, contact Press Officer
Jessica Alaimo at 428-7135.