RocTX
11-01-2007, 07:55 PM
This isn't just my fantasy. I found a couple of articles on the web discussing a proposal to reopen the portion of the Erie Canal that used to run through downton Rochester until the 1920's. This is also the route that the old subway used to take until it was closed down in the mid 1950's.
Granted, all of this is dated last year, so it may already be out of date. Does anyone think this will ever actually happen? Is it even feasible?
Here's a link to their site (http://www.rochestercanal.com/).
GROUP FORMED TO PROMOTE DOWNTOWN CANAL
Rochester, NY, June 26, 2006 – A new organization has been formed to raise awareness and promote action on a major revitalization plan, centered on the re-watering of the historic downtown route of the Erie Canal. Advocates for the Development of Rochester’s Canal, or ADROC, has been launched with the goal of seeing the opening of a new Rochester Erie Canal by 2012. According to the group, downtown canal development has changed the fortunes of
many cities facing similar challenges to those faced by Rochester—with virtually a 100% success rate—and Rochester has the unique advantage of a world-famous, historically-significant canal already in its back yard.
ADROC was inspired by the Grasso-Zimmer Canal Revitalization Plan, developed last year by canal expert Thomas Grasso and Architectural Intern Rory Zimmer, with major research and concept validation done by an R.I.T. group. The plan proposes to take advantage of the still-existing canal bed that runs along Broad Street, roughly from the Rundel Library to the site of the new Paetec Park. The original canal flowed through the city until 1920, and was converted to the downtown subway system which ran until 1956. Much of the original structure, including the iconic Broad Street Aqueduct that carried the canal over the Genesee River, remains in place in some form. ADROC feels that recreating the original downtown canal—connected to the world via the river and Barge Canal system—will link nearly all of the current and proposed downtown attractions and make Rochester a true international destination.
According to ADROC spokesman and local business owner Michael Hess, “A new Rochester Erie Canal is truly the magic bullet’ that Rochester has been searching for.” Hess says that similar projects have been extraordinarily successful in cities of all sizes and climates, including Indianapolis, Providence, San Antonio, Oklahoma City and others. “Oklahoma City is a prime example,” says Hess. “It built the Bricktown Canal as an attraction, to try to improve its struggling downtown, and the result has been roughly $800 million per year in increased city revenue.
Imagine what we could do with the brand-name strength of the Erie Canal.” ADROC envisions a thriving destination with water-taxis connecting key attractions, ice skating in the winter, and retail and residential development all along the proposed 1.5-mile downtown canal. The group says that it is getting significant inquiries from local business leaders and others, and expects to announce the substantial involvement of at least one major local corporation within the next few weeks.
Tom Grasso, who is also the President of the Canal Society of New York State, is ADROC’s Executive Director. Rory Zimmer and Tim Zimmer are Co-Directors of Urban Design, and Hess is Director of Marketing and Public Relations. The group has launched a website at www.rochestercanal.com, which features the detailed proposal plan, downtown Canal map, video, links to recent Canal press and more. Hess says the site will evolve dramatically as the group and its resources grow and the initiative gains momentum.
-
Granted, all of this is dated last year, so it may already be out of date. Does anyone think this will ever actually happen? Is it even feasible?
Here's a link to their site (http://www.rochestercanal.com/).
GROUP FORMED TO PROMOTE DOWNTOWN CANAL
Rochester, NY, June 26, 2006 – A new organization has been formed to raise awareness and promote action on a major revitalization plan, centered on the re-watering of the historic downtown route of the Erie Canal. Advocates for the Development of Rochester’s Canal, or ADROC, has been launched with the goal of seeing the opening of a new Rochester Erie Canal by 2012. According to the group, downtown canal development has changed the fortunes of
many cities facing similar challenges to those faced by Rochester—with virtually a 100% success rate—and Rochester has the unique advantage of a world-famous, historically-significant canal already in its back yard.
ADROC was inspired by the Grasso-Zimmer Canal Revitalization Plan, developed last year by canal expert Thomas Grasso and Architectural Intern Rory Zimmer, with major research and concept validation done by an R.I.T. group. The plan proposes to take advantage of the still-existing canal bed that runs along Broad Street, roughly from the Rundel Library to the site of the new Paetec Park. The original canal flowed through the city until 1920, and was converted to the downtown subway system which ran until 1956. Much of the original structure, including the iconic Broad Street Aqueduct that carried the canal over the Genesee River, remains in place in some form. ADROC feels that recreating the original downtown canal—connected to the world via the river and Barge Canal system—will link nearly all of the current and proposed downtown attractions and make Rochester a true international destination.
According to ADROC spokesman and local business owner Michael Hess, “A new Rochester Erie Canal is truly the magic bullet’ that Rochester has been searching for.” Hess says that similar projects have been extraordinarily successful in cities of all sizes and climates, including Indianapolis, Providence, San Antonio, Oklahoma City and others. “Oklahoma City is a prime example,” says Hess. “It built the Bricktown Canal as an attraction, to try to improve its struggling downtown, and the result has been roughly $800 million per year in increased city revenue.
Imagine what we could do with the brand-name strength of the Erie Canal.” ADROC envisions a thriving destination with water-taxis connecting key attractions, ice skating in the winter, and retail and residential development all along the proposed 1.5-mile downtown canal. The group says that it is getting significant inquiries from local business leaders and others, and expects to announce the substantial involvement of at least one major local corporation within the next few weeks.
Tom Grasso, who is also the President of the Canal Society of New York State, is ADROC’s Executive Director. Rory Zimmer and Tim Zimmer are Co-Directors of Urban Design, and Hess is Director of Marketing and Public Relations. The group has launched a website at www.rochestercanal.com, which features the detailed proposal plan, downtown Canal map, video, links to recent Canal press and more. Hess says the site will evolve dramatically as the group and its resources grow and the initiative gains momentum.
-
