Better Rochester Chamber of Commerce is in full help of the institution of a Enterprise Enchancment District (BID) in downtown Rochester. I’ve been concerned in a sequence of conferences on this undertaking during the last a number of months, and absolutely help each the necessity for a Enterprise Enchancment District and the method which is being utilized to perform this.
Nice credit score goes to Rochester Downtown Growth Company (RDDC) President and CEO Galin Brooks and her board of administrators, led by Steve Dubnik from the Robust Museum of Play, in addition to Joe Stefko from ROC2025, for his or her tireless efforts to get this undertaking off the bottom.
(Editor’s word: Bob Duffy is a member of the board of administrators of the Partnership for Downtown Rochester, a public-private collaboration between New York State, Empire State Growth, the Metropolis of Rochester, RDDC, and ROC2025.)
Enterprise enchancment districts usually are not a brand new idea. The primary BID was established in Toronto in 1970, and the primary within the U.S. was established in New Orleans in 1974. They had been initially conceived as a response to disinvestment in downtown areas, and for the reason that Seventies have gained rising recognition. At this time, there are over 70 enterprise enchancment districts in New York Metropolis alone, and several other exist all through upstate New York, together with Buffalo, Syracuse, Canandaigua and Geneva.
As their main aim, enterprise enchancment districts enable for the mobilization of efforts to strengthen downtown areas and create extra actions and alternatives for those that stay, work, and play downtown. In doing so, they collaborate with each metropolis and county management. They don’t seem to be a lot of an unbiased entity as a accomplice with native governments, residents, and companies, all working to boost all the downtown district.
In Rochester, our downtown is a shared neighborhood for everybody. Whereas it skilled its heyday in previous many years, the downtown panorama has undergone a sequence of modifications and transformations for the reason that Eighties, main us to the need of the present BID initiative. The downtown that lingers in reminiscences of the previous isn’t coming again. The brand new downtown of the long run might be totally different, however I imagine it is going to be stuffed with pleasure and alternatives to showcase our nice metropolis and area.
I sincerely admire the help that the BID has acquired so removed from Mayor Malik Evans, Metropolis Council President Miguel Melendez, and an array of downtown enterprise leaders, property homeowners and residents who’ve performed a pivotal position in bringing us up to now. A big issue driving downtown’s transformation has been a mix of private and non-private investments. The state allotted roughly $55 million to demolish the previous, almost vacant Midtown Plaza, paving the way in which for the event of Tower 280 and Parcel 5. This advanced has continued to develop yr after yr, serving as a testomony to the optimistic affect of strategic funding in our downtown space. Gallina Growth bought the Xerox Tower and remodeled what was as soon as an empty and outdated constructing into Innovation Sq.. This revitalized area radiates vitality, innovation, and provides a glimpse into the way forward for downtown work and dwelling.
The ROC the Riverway undertaking has emerged as a guiding drive behind quite a few ongoing initiatives all through downtown. I had the honour of co-chairing this initiative with former MCC President Anne Kress. A wide range of initiatives are presently underway, stretching from downtown’s riverfront to Broad Road and past. These initiatives are collectively contributing to the creation of a future downtown Rochester that’s nothing in need of gorgeous.
Amongst these endeavors, the Roc Metropolis Skate Park stands out. When this undertaking was initially mentioned, it confronted a lukewarm response from many people on the board and panels. I give nice credit score to native artist Shawn Dunwoody, who was a constant voice in regards to the want for the Skate Park, which has was an unquestionable success. I go by the Skate Park a number of instances every week, and it’s constantly bustling with younger folks. They’re forging connections and showcasing their spectacular abilities on the varied paths, loops, and obstacles inside the park. The Skate Park stands as a tangible testomony to the power of a undertaking to unite a neighborhood quite than divide it.
These are just some of the successes now we have seen, together with the transformations alongside the waterfront and relaunch of the Riverie tour boat at Corn Hill, that are additionally a part of the ROC the Riverway initiative. We’re seeing a transformational change earlier than our very eyes, which serves to strengthen that the time has come for the institution of a Enterprise Enchancment District.
The method thus far has been open and welcoming for all to take part. I personally attended conferences each in individual and through Zoom which have requested enter from any metropolis residents about their imaginative and prescient for the way forward for downtown and their views of how a Enterprise Enchancment District might improve that. There was no lack of solicitation of public enter on this. If folks select to not take part, they need to not complain later. It’s not possible to personally ask each individual within the metropolis to weigh in, however there have been ample alternatives within the media, social media, and thru quite a lot of different channels which have been targeted on eliciting responses and reactions. Once more, I give nice credit score to Galin Brooks and her group for main this public remark course of, which has been invaluable.
One query that has arisen pertains to the funding of BIDs. BIDs operate inside distinct geographical areas and are fashioned when the vast majority of property homeowners in that space elect to pitch in and share assets to create new applications and providers that their fellow property homeowners or stakeholders need, particularly in communities the place native governments can not constantly fund these efforts. There may be, in essence, a tax inside the district that individuals pays into, and their funding will be simply judged on the outcomes that they see each month and yr going ahead. The varieties of efforts that their investments will fund can be clarified by the BID management and be targeted on attracting extra folks and funding to downtown, which may solely create an atmosphere for extra development and prosperity.
One effort that has been proposed entails reintroducing downtown ambassadors — people employed to stroll all through downtown and supply steerage to guests. It’s a optimistic step ahead to assist guests navigate the numerous points of interest and eating places within the downtown space, particularly throughout competition season, and the funding is comparatively small. They’d not be law enforcement officials however would have communication talents to report any considerations or points that residents could have. Whereas some could oppose this concept, I imagine it’s a nice concept and an vital first step.
I might additionally suggest bringing again extra law enforcement officials strolling beats downtown, particularly throughout instances of huge crowds, festivals and occasions. That presence has modified during the last a number of years attributable to quite a lot of causes, but when we’re severe about downtown development and growth, it has to return again into the dialog, and hopefully in partnership with Metropolis Corridor, will be finally achieved. I’ve at all times felt that there are not any higher ambassadors than the officers on their horses on the corners of downtown and the way they engaged residents and particularly youngsters day by day. It was heartwarming to see, however in addition they function a deterrent for the varieties of behaviors that are likely to scare folks away from downtown.
Whereas crime stays a priority all through the area, downtown crime statistics have constantly ranked among the many lowest within the metropolis of Rochester. Nonetheless, it’s the notion of crime that always dissuades people from visiting, investing in or attending occasions. We should handle each actuality and notion. A mixture of downtown ambassadors and different security measures would considerably improve the sense of safety and show to be a helpful enhancement transferring ahead.
Downtown is the guts of our metropolis, a shared neighborhood that leaves an enduring impression on all who go to Rochester. Whether or not they’re flying in for enterprise, a gathering, a match, or varied different actions, most guests will discover their method downtown. It signifies a lot about us as a neighborhood, what they see and the way they really feel after they arrive right here.
Whereas some could query its significance, let me emphasize: it really issues. A detrimental expertise for guests might ripple by conversations with pals, household, and colleagues, doubtlessly affecting selections to speculate, relocate, and even select to make Rochester their dwelling. Our fame shapes our future, and our future hinges closely on that fame, typically fashioned by temporary encounters.
The PGA Championship was not too long ago held at Rochester’s Oak Hill Nation Membership, and we had an array of PGA officers, gamers, and guests come to Rochester and spend time not solely on the match but additionally in our metropolis. There have been many positives from that go to, however there are additionally some negatives and challenges which we should face and handle. Amongst these had been the notion of security, and the shortage of actions for folks visiting and staying within the coronary heart of downtown. The institution of the Enterprise Enchancment District might be an enormous step ahead to handle each of those points.
Our mission is evident: seize each probability to put money into, improve, and revitalize our downtown space, restoring the sense of pleasure and magnetism that previous downtown Rochester had. Our imaginative and prescient is a brand new, vibrant downtown, brimming with festivals, live shows, espresso retailers and gathering spots that make it the area’s bustling hub. Simply contemplate the affect of occasions just like the Rochester Worldwide Jazz Competition and Fringe Competition — drawing crowds yr after yr to savor the ambiance and leisure that they supply. Let’s preserve that pleasure going year-round with how downtown appears to be like, and the way occasions are programmed all year long.
A BID aligns with our aspirations for downtown Rochester. It’s about creating an area that showcases our metropolis’s strengths, welcomes guests, and attracts new alternatives. When folks come to Rochester, their first impression issues. Let’s work collectively to make it an enduring and optimistic one.
Robert J. Duffy is president and CEO of Better Rochester Chamber of Commerce. Contact him at [email protected].
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