Rochester Riverside Convention Center South Terrace and Addition

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If you have questions and comments about the project, please contact Jason VanDemark, R.A., Project Architect in the City’s Bureau of Architecture and Engineering at (585) 428-7356, or by email.

The Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center (RRCC) opened in 1985 as the premier exhibit and meeting facility in downtown Rochester.  It includes 100,000 square feet of accessible, multi-purpose space for conventions, trade shows, meetings and events.  The facility features enclosed skyways to a hotel, dining, parking garage and other amenities.  Recently completed projects at the Convention Center include replacement of escalators, installation of moveable partition walls in the Highland Ballroom, structural repairs and improvements to the north riverfront terrace, and exterior LED lighting on the building. 

Project Overview

This ROC the Riverway Initiative project includes renovation and upgrades of the RRCC and its interface with East Main Street and the Genesee River.  The overall project will proceed under two parts, as follows:  

RRCC River Wall Repair and Terrace Expansion:

  • Widening the existing RRCC south terrace, creating a continuous public promenade along the river’s edge to improve public access in preparation for a future extension connecting to the Broad Street Aqueduct.  The proposed work shall include concrete paving and installation of a metal panel cladding system, river railings and lighting.  

  • Structural repair and rehabilitation of the existing river wall, between the East Main Street Bridge and RG&E building, to restore the structural integrity of the existing stone masonry and concrete walls. The proposed work shall include a concrete facing to the lower river wall at the south end and structural repairs to the existing stone masonry and concrete faced walls for the remaining wall north to Main Street.

RRCC Building Envelope Repairs and Addition:

  • Renovation and expansion of the building frontage along Main Street, to create a single-story 2,000 square foot revitalized event space, including site landscaping, exterior digital signage and additional restrooms within the facility.

  • Repair and restoration of deteriorated exterior building and site materials, including but not limited to foundation walls, expansion joints, granite masonry veneer, metal panel system, joint sealants, replacement of exterior doors and cleaning of the building façades.   

Project Funding and Team

The project is funded in part by the ROC the Riverway/Upstate Revitalization Initiative administered by Empire State Development.  Stantec Consulting, Inc. is leading engineering and design services. The project team also includes Prudent Engineering LLP; Popli Design Group; Lozier Environmental Consulting, Inc.; and Environmental Design & Research, Landscape Architecture, Engineering & Environmental Services, D.P.C. (EDR). 

Project Schedule

  • Consultant Selection: Winter 2021
  • Design and Contract Documents: Spring 2021 – Spring 2024
  • Bidding and Award: Spring 2024  Summer 2024
  • Construction (anticipated): Summer 2024 – Summer 2026

Schedule is subject to adjustment.
 

Additional Information 

Design Rendering: River Wall Repair and South Terrace

Additional information about the ROC the Riverway initiative can be found at: www.cityofrochester.gov/ROCtheriverway/ 

Questions?