By the end of 2005, work will have started across the Genesee River, building an $18 million shopping area and hotel. The project is slated to be completed as early as December 2006.
“Brooks Landing is an important first step in the economic development of a residential and retail area of great significance to UR,” President Joel Seligman said. “I know I speak for many at the university in stating how delighted we are at the approval of this important project.”
The Brooks Landing project was first proposed over 20 years ago as a plan to revitalize the area between Brooks Street and Genesee Street, directly across the Genesee River from UR.
The first phase of the project was completed in 1991, with the opening of the pedestrian footbridge spanning the river to connect Wilson Boulevard with Plymouth Avenue.
When completed, Brooks Landing will be home to a public promenade and boat docking facility on the Genesee, as well as a commercial center with student-centric shops, UR office space and a new 80 room extended-stay hotel.
“We expect Brooks Landing to provide an attractive, vibrant shopping and dining area for both neighborhood residents and university students,” community activist and Rochester City Council candidate Dana Miller said.
Miller is also the chairman of the board for the Sector 4 Community Development Corporation, Sector 4 CDC, which was charged with community oversight for the Brooks Landing project. Sector 4 CDC was founded in 1997 after two other developers for the Brooks Landing project failed to bring it to fruition.
Miller and Sector 4 CDC expect the Brooks Landing area to revitalize both the UR community and the surrounding 19th Ward community.
“We are looking forward to closer ties between the university and the neighborhood and expect that this project will be a destination where students and neighbors will meet,” Miller said. “There are over 800 students and 800 faculty and staff members who live in the 19th Ward.”
The Brooks Landing project enjoys support throughout the Rochester community, especially from political leaders.
“I enthusiastically support riverfront development, especially as a UR graduate,” Republican mayoral candidate John Parrinello ’67said. Democratic candidate Bob Duffy also supports the project and the development of the riverfront area around UR.
U.S. Representative Louise Slaughter was instrumental in securing approval for the project through the National Park Service.
“The project will make the area a community anchor, improving not only the 19th Ward, but also the University of Rochester and areas up and down the Genesee River,” Slaughter said.
The National Park Service’s approval was the last hurdle for project supporters to overcome before breaking ground. Approval was withheld for years because Brooks Landing will encroach on 1.38 acres of land currently part of Genesee Valley Park.
Environmental concerns were allayed, however, when designers included dedicated parkland within the project in addition to increased access to the current public trail system.
One of the main attractions to students at the Brooks Landing center will be a community owned and operated coffee shop.
According to the shop’s Web site, it will be an independent shop called “Urban Brew” and is currently under construction.
UR has been involved in the project since its conception.
“The university participated in a study that was done in 1983 to see what kind of enhancements should be made to the South River Corridor,” Miller said. “UR graduate students Emily Clary and Kai Nishikawa produced the first marketing plan for Brooks Landing back in 1997 and provided the demographic and market data that allowed us to attract the hotel developer.”
According to Miller, UR students also helped in planning the Brooks Landing project by surveying students about what stores would thrive across from campus.
Students can track the progress of the project by looking across the river in the upcoming months. After the groundbreaking ceremony, construction will begin quickly and continue through 2006.
“We expect that much of the construction will take place in 2006, and by the end of the year most things should be completed,” Miller said.
As the Brooks Landing project is realized, project leaders are able to see the fruits of their labor.
“We’re thrilled that this is going ahead,” Associate Vice President for Public Relations and Sector 4 CSC board member Robert Kraus said. “It is a win for the community and a win for the university as well.”
Majarian can be reached at mmajarian@campustimes.org.
