Ren Square Launches $55 Million Fund Drive

By Alex Crichton

Rochester, NY – Most of the members of the corporation overseeing Renaissance Square project were on hand Thursday Morning in downtown Rochester to kick-off a fund raising drive for the combination transit center, MCC
campus, and performing arts center.

County Executive Maggie Brooks unveiled a sign with a large thermometer which will track the progress of raising the remaining 55-million dollars needed for the theater component of Ren Square. They're calling it the "Drive for the Final Fifty Five."

Main & Clinton Board members Mark Aesch and Don Jeffries both expressed optimism that the remaining 55-million dollars can be raised for this project. Brooks called for a "can-do" community to be aggressive in the fund raising effort.

She said the community needs to raise the money for all three components of Renaissance Square or nothing at all.

Mayor Bob Duffy, another member of the Main and Clinton Development Corporation, was a no-show at the event. So was outgoing MCC President Tom Flynn.

Just this week, Mayor Duffy expressed his doubts over getting additional money from the state for the project.

Brooks wouldn't comment on the absence of Mayor Duffy and Flynn, but she said the project partners at today's event are committed to raising the final 55-million.