Rochester city officials say part of Main Street downtown will be getting a fresh look. Mayor Lovely Warren says the NYS Senate has secured $2 million to help with a number of streetscape improvements. The federal government is offering another $1.5 million.
State Senators Joe Robach and Rich Funke gathered with the Mayor and other officials in front of the Riverside Convention Center Thursday to talk about the project that will include additional spots for outdoor dining and making the downtown stretch of Main Street more open to people walking and biking.
"It is our goal to make Main Street more vibrant, to make it safer, to make it more walkable and yes, to make it bikable; and you will finally be able to park on Main Street. We want a Main Street to be a destination, one that is alive after five, " Warren said at a news conference.
Warren says there is a particular focus on helping restaurants along the street offer outdoor options, similar to downtown streets in other cities.
Commissioner of the city's Department of Environmental Services, Norman Jones, says the project will provide a number of amenities.
"We're going to have 45 recessed parking spaces, 44 new trees, permeable pavement, renovation of the Liberty Pole seating at the plaza, LED street lights, sidewalk outdoor dining."
Construction starts next spring.
