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Some object to new plans for Port of Rochester
Fernando Diaz
and Greg Livadas
Staff writers
(October 31, 2006) — The future of Charlotte was tensely debated Monday after plans for the Port of Rochester were unveiled to a standing-room-only group of residents at the Roger Robach Community Center at Ontario Beach Park.
The project — which could be completed in phases over the next 10 years — includes a 100-slip marina between the existing ferry terminal building and the historic carousel, as well as numerous businesses, apartments and townhouses.
"We are creating a place where people are going to come and love," said Varoujan Hagopian, a principle of Sasaki Associates. "It's going to be a nice place for everybody."
But many present at the public meeting objected to the plan, with some referring to it as the "next fast ferry" and others arguing that the open space should be preserved.
"When this project ever gets built you'll be able to peer down a roadway but you won't be able to see the lake," said Francis Kennedy of Irondequoit. "It's a lousy deal," he concluded, to applause.
The price for the project varies between $126 million and $180 million depending on the number of housing units built. About $34 million would be public cost to build infrastructure. Some of that could be funded through grants, but the remainder would be paid by private investors, said Julio Vazquez, the city's commissioner of community development.
This latest proposal was developed with input from the community, including residents near the project who had objected to a multistory parking garage, which would restrict the view of the lake.
The current proposal calls for 970 parking spaces, which is fewer than the 1,200 currently available. Additional parking would be reserved for residents living in the new project.
It has not been determined whether the parking would be a revenue source for the city to help pay for the project or remain free as it is now.
Vazquez suggested parking could stay free as revenue would be drawn from the considerable development.
The property, just south of the existing park pavilion and carousel, would be rebuilt, including commercial buildings along the east side of Lake Avenue. The new ferry terminal building will remain, with hopes a smaller ferry could resume service to Toronto someday.
Toward the end of the meeting, several people who support the project defended it as a significant effort to revitalize the lakeside community and help keep people from leaving Rochester. "We've got to be thinking about the future," said Doug Escher, who is in the process of moving to Charlotte from Greece with his family. "A project like this is extremely important."
The project will need state environmental impact approval, which could take 60 to 90 days. The public would get to discuss its concerns at a public hearing before that approval takes place. Then City Council would need to approve the project before further action begins.
Vazquez said he didn't expect the project to begin for another two years.
Copies of the proposal are expected to be available at City Hall and area libraries.
FDIAZ@DemocratandChronicle.com
GLIVADAS@DemocratandChronicle.com
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