The planning process for revitalizing Rochester's riverfront is starting to take shape.
Mayor Lovely Warren and Governor Andrew Cuomo have announced a panel of 12 community members that will oversee ROC the Riverway.
The program consolidates up to 28 projects along the Genesee River in the business and entertainment districts. They include the completion of the Genesee Riverway Trail and the redesign of Charles Carrol Plaza and Genesee Crossroads Park. Other proposed projects would involve upgrades for the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial, the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center, and the Rundel Memorial Library.
One of the new advisory board members is Rochester artist and designer Shawn Dunwoody. He says it's fitting that the river that gave Rochester its start will now help re-create the city's future.
"I've always thought about what that riverfront means to past creators and social entrepreneurs such as Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony and what it means today for our young people who are going to benefit from what we decide or what we think of going forward."
Dunwoody hopes this isn't the last time creative professionals have a seat at the table when Rochester's future is being decided. He says Rochester can look for inspiration from other cities with similar climates that have developed their waterfronts such as Buffalo and Cleveland.
"Because we get some cold winters here, so let's think about how this river functions throughout the year, not just for two months."
Clement Chung, an engineer and past president of the young professionals group ROC City Coalition, will also sit on the panel. Chung is a native of London, England.
"I think it does give me a different perspective. I've seen a lot of development in London and other cities in the world. I think there's a lot we can learn from other cities as well as hanging onto what is unique about our own city as well."
ROC the Riverway will require a mix of public and private investment. Governor Andrew Cuomo committed $50 million in state funding for the program through Empire State Development.
The first public meeting on the project is slated for next Thursday, March 8 at Monroe Community College's downtown campus from 4 to 6 p.m.
Here is the complete list of ROC the Riverway Advisory Board members:
- Bob Duffy (Co-Chair), Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce
- Anne Kress (Co-Chair), Monroe Community College
- Lisa Baron, Greentopia
- Clement Chung, ROC City Coalition (Past President)
- Veronica Dasher, Rochester Gas & Electric (AvanGrid/Iberdrola)
- Shawn Dunwoody, DUNWOODĒ Visual Consulting
- Jim Howe, The Nature Conservancy
- Norman Jones, City of Rochester
- Nichole Malec, Constellation Brands
- Eugenio Marlin, Ibero American Action League
- Mary Beth Popp, North American Breweries
- Heidi Zimmer-Meyer, Rochester Downtown Development Corp.