About the project
Charles Carroll Plaza and the supporting Genesee Crossroads Parking Garage underneath are located on a prime waterfront site on the west bank of the Genesee River between Main Street and Andrews Street in the city of Rochester’s Central Business District.
The Sister Cities Bridge connects the east and west
sides of the Genesee River, creating a holistic experience that embraces
Charles Carroll Plaza on the west and Genesee Crossroads Park on the east.
Charles Carroll Plaza, along with the connecting
Sister Cities Bridge and Genesee Crossroads Park, is a riverfront public urban
space that provides scenic views, park seating, a public promenade, public art,
and green space. The multiple levels of the tiered plaza directly reflect
the shape of the multi-storied Genesee Crossroads Parking Garage below. The
plaza is approximately 127,000 SF (3.4 acres) and provides essential connections
to the surrounding downtown. The 50 year old site is in poor condition and
requires renovation.
Download a site location map
Project Objectives
- Remove pavers and other portions of the plaza to access supporting garage roof slab underneath
- Perform concrete slab repairs and replace the waterproofing system
- Redesign and reconstruct a new plaza that meets the
current needs of the City’s urban core and supporting downtown revitalization
- Provide full ADA compliant accessibility and bicycle access
throughout the plaza by replacing stairs with ramps in strategic locations
- Update the Sister Cities Bridge with a new elevated flyover connection
The Genesee Crossroads Parking Garage provides approximately 658 parking spaces and is vital to the city’s downtown parking needs. The garage roof waterproofing and structural repairs are of the highest priority in maintaining and extending the functional life of this valuable asset.
The plaza on top of the parking garage is an essential link in the Genesee Riverway Trail system, a designated National Recreation Trail that provides pedestrian access along the Genesee River.
Plaza Reconstruction Objectives…functionality with artistic waterfront design:
- Visibility and views: Maximize views of the river
- Linkages: Improve all linkages through the plaza to create a dynamic pedestrian network
- Safety: Reduce vertical elements and add lighting to increase perception of safety
- Accessibility: Create full accessibility wherever feasible
- Vitality: User attractions and activity generators such as vendors, interactive art, sculptures, game tables, kiosks, open green and recreation spaces
- Additional factors such as durability, maintenance, and spatial variety will play into the final design.
Project Team
The design consultant team of T.Y. Lin International Group, with OLIN landscape architecture, urban design & planning, Environmental Design and Research, landscape architecture, engineering and environmental services, Highland Planning, LLC and Bell & Spina Architects was selected through the City’s Request for Proposal (RFP) process to provide engineering, landscape architectural, public outreach, planning and design services for the project.
Public engagement and feedback for understanding the needs and visions of the community as they relate to the plaza will be implemented through a project advisory committee, public meetings, public surveys, and project updates on the City’s website.
Project Schedule
- Winter / Spring 2015: Design Consultant Procurement through City RFP process
- Summer / Fall 2015: Site Reconnaissance and Inspection
- December 10, 2015: Project Advisory Committee (PAC) Meeting 1 at the Holiday Inn on State Street
- February 24, 2016: Public Information Meeting 1 at the Holiday Inn on State Street
- September 14, 2016: PAC Meeting 2 at the First Federal Plaza
- November 10, 2016: Public Information Meeting 2 at the Holiday Inn on State Street
- Spring 2016– Fall 2017: Schematic planning and design
- Summer 2018: ROC the Riverway funding announcement
- January 2019 – Fall 2019: Preliminary development of design
- Phase 1: Sister Cities Bridge Improvements
- Fall 2019: Final development of design and publicly bid
- Spring 2020 - Late Fall 2021: Construction phase (Bridge and project area will remain inaccessible until the completion of phase 2)
- Phase 2: Charles Carroll Plaza Improvements
- Spring 2021: Final design and bidding
- Fall 2021 - Fall 2023: Construction phase
Schedule is subject to adjustments
Project Funding and Attributions
Design
and construction documents are prepared with funds provided by the New York
State Department of State under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund.
Project Documents
Design and construction documents are prepared with funds provided by the New York State Department of State under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund.
Project Advisory Committee Meeting 1
December 10, 2015
Download key slides from the presentation
Public Information Meeting 2
November 10, 2016
Download slides from the presentation
Download views of the Schematic Concepts
Public Information Meeting 3
September 24, 2019
Download boards from the meeting
Questions?
If you have questions or comments about the project, please contact Laura Civiletti in the City’s Bureau of Architecture and Engineering at 428-7742, or by email.