A proposal for major development at the Port of Rochester will need some major re-working.
Mayor Lovely Warren issued a statement on Friday morning saying that Edgewater Resources failed to meet a deadline to submit detailed project financing for their proposed development.
"My first and foremost responsibility is to protect the interests of our City’s residents and taxpayers," said Mayor Warren.
"Edgewater has failed to meet our deadline on project financing and in the interest of our residents and taxpayers we must now move on and seek other development partners who can make this critical job-creating port development a reality. We will work to engage our residents, local employers and all stakeholders in developing a process to move forward. Let there be no doubt, we have taken the input we have received on this important jobs-creating project seriously and we have held this developer accountable."
The city had set a June 30 deadline for Edgewater to provide the City with their detailed funding plan for the proposed project at the Port of Rochester, which included a hotel, shops and condominiums. Instead, the company submitted correspondence to the city requesting an additional nine months to secure project financing.
Warren says the city has recently finished work on a new $22 million marina and other improved facilities at the port. And a city hall spokesperson says development at the port is still a big priority for the mayor.
The plan by Edgewater has been controversial, with some groups, such as one called Charlotte Strong, raising objections about the size and scope of the plan
Among those who voiced the most concern about the Edgewater proposal for the port area was a group called Charlotte Strong.
Suzanne Phillips is a member of that organization, and didn't see how the Edgewater plan would fit in with that neighborhood.
”We just think that it would be a terrible eyesore here in Charlotte. Not only that, it is taking away public land that has been for public use for over 100 years, and it is turning it over to a private developer for his own personal gain.”
Donna Bour-Purdy is a member of the Charlotte Community Association. She says her group also had concerns about this project, but they are open to talking about other proposals for economic development.
"We’re really excited to have the opportunity to go back to the drawing board and work with the city to figure out what is the best fit for the community."
Purdy feels the Edgewater plan had too many problems in terms of the size and scope and its potential impact on traffic and parking.
Greg Weykamp, the President of Edgewater Resources, released this statement late Thursday afternoon:
"From the day our team was selected as the developer for Parcel One at the Port of Rochester, we have worked diligently with the City and community to craft a project that would achieve the goals and vision outlined in the RFP and City Planning Documents.
While completion of funding took longer than we originally anticipated, and we are disappointed to learn of the City’s decision to release a new RFP for the development of the Parcel One site, we respect the City’s decision. We would like to express our deep appreciation to everyone in the community who worked with us to make the project one we would be proud of, as well as our firm belief in a bright future for Charlotte.
We'll have no further comment until we've had time to review the City's formal decision."
