The Rochester City Council on Tuesday approved a plan to rezone portions of Eastman Business Park for retail, office, educational and residential uses.
Deputy Mayor James Smith says many changes have gone on over the years at what was once Kodak Park, and now there are many empty parking lots that aren't being used anymore. He says the vision is to reinvent the area.
“Those parking lots were once neighborhoods and houses, so in a way it's kind of back to the future,” he said. “But I think it's important, and it's going to be an important way for the Eastman Business Park to be more successful than it already is, long term.”
In a letter to City Council, Mayor Lovely Warren wants to modify the existing development plan and rezone parts of Lake Avenue to support this proposal.
“Ultimately it would be great to just have vibrant neighborhoods that are there once again,” Smith said. “[It] will not only contribute to the success of Eastman Business Park long term but the success of our city."