October 31, 2006

I was at the public meeting last night (10-30-06) and just wanted to compliment you and Sasaki on the work that has been done. Unfortunately, these meetings have only generated material complaints as people really aren't trying to understand what you guys are trying to accomplish. I appreciate the way that the process has evolved,
entertaining input from both developers and residents, in order to generate a plan that is realistic and sensitive to the existing context. So thanks for your professionalism in putting up with some stubborn residents and Im looking forward to the final submission.

May I also suggest some street level perspectives that may better show the openness of the public space as a part of your final submission??

 

October 31 , 2006

Attended last nights meeting and I was amazed at the number of ignorant know it all people. This project has been long over due and I'm looking forward to the improvements. As a boater who has traveled Lake Ontario visiting various ports in Canada admiring what our neighbor has done to their waterfront to come home to Rochester shaking my head asking why Rochester is still in the dark ages is beyond all concept. Its about time! Sasaki is doing a tremendous job. Thank you!

 

October 31 , 2006

I attended the meeting last night (10-30-06) and wanted to compliment the city and Sasaki on the work that has been done thus far. It is evident that the steps being taken are the right ones to generating a plan that can really work for the area. THIS NEEDS TO HAPPEN! The Charlotte area is really a wonderful resource for the city that has not seen its true potential. The excitement that this can create in Charlotte will only benefit the rest of the city and can really have a ripple effect on neighboring communities. I would like to believe that a lot of the nay-sayers from last night are just one small cross-section of the City. I grew up in Rochester, went away to school and moved back here to work when I graduated. I live and work in the City and hopefully progress like this will keepmore young professionals like myself around!

 

July 18, 2006

It appears that the housing design is entirely too compacted into this space and looks too "new" doesn't conform with the historic sense of this community. Not sure why the City hasn't enlisted a developer to put tall condominiums at the base of the lake or river which would accomodate far more people in a much smaller space leaving the Port Area for tourists or locals. Even if the property on Beach Avenue past the Robach Center was "reclaimed by eminent domain", the cost of purchasing these properties and replacing them with condos that each have a view of the Lake as they do along all the coastal waterways in Florida would contribute a much higher tax base to the city and provide a view for those purchasing and also provide the people necessary to "support" this port area.

 

The plan is too congested. The Port area is for all Rochester residents. Wasting all that space for townhouses for a few rich people is not right. The space should be used for Comunity based projects. Tourism type projects and more parking - should be the priorities.

The port should be genuinely appealing both in hospitality and in structure. The vision should be concise in it s thought-out scheme. Encompassing the every visitors imagination and merchants expectations from a far. And in coordinates with program and functionally of it s site and topology. The Rochester Port should have everlasting experience for generations to come. The opportunity is now and the future is our guide.

I'm currently a home owner in the Charlotte area near Estes & Corrigan Streets. I am deeply concerned about proposed construction of the parking garage although I'm in full support of bringing life back to Charlotte. I think the idea of making the area similar to our Corn Hill neighborhood is wonderful as it will definitely increase revenue for our area. My feeling is that Sasaki is not considerating the existing residents/homeowners and therefore blocking there views of the beach & the landmark building, the Robach Community Center. Please take into account the residents who have lived there before going forward with the construction of the parking garage that will negatively affect our property values and possible safety.

I hope that they will consider options to buy a unit unlike the present Corn Hill project

 

February 24, 2006

To whom it may concern: I'am not a city resident, but I would like to
know if the idea of an indoor and outdoor theater or playhouse has been
suggested. My husband as well as a lot of other residents support this
venue, and would think this would help the businesses in this
area.....

ThankYou

 

February 24, 2006

Being home owners in Charlotte for over 10 years, having been born and raised in Rochester, and having spent a fair amount of time in and around boats I am very familiar with the Port of Rochester. Since we live only a few blocks from the development site we are very interested in what happens to the Port. We aren't very impressed with what we have seen from the City or our neighborhood organization in the 10 years we have lived here. We feel Charlotte community development/improvement is much needed but has to be affordable, practical and benefit the public in a variety of ways. We feel the Charlotte improvements, Ferry Terminal - Fast Ferry were poorly planned and executed.

I saw a story on the TV news about the developers presentation of proposals for development of the port. The story showed a site plan of the port area. I tried to attend the meeting and found that the presentation was going to be a long way from where I could find a seat. Certainly not a good venue for such a presentation. Maybe Charlotte High School auditorium or the Robach Community Center would be more practical in the future. From the site plan I saw on the TV story, I noticed two things; Not much green space and an impractical and expensive "marina".

Green space needs to be provided for and I would like to see at least 25% of the area green. Not just curbside green but usable green. At one time a linier park that followed the river shoreline from Petten street to the Ontario Beach Park was planned. This is the sort of development we want to see in addition to any retail, residential, other
space. Please make/keep the shore line accessible and usable by the public.

The marina on the plan will probably be a flop if it is intended for use as an overnight berthing place for boaters. The wave reduction modifications to the piers don't always adequately reduce the waves in that area of the river to allow a good nights sleep aboard a boat. One poor fellow tried to sleep aboard his boat in the mooring area across the river from the proposed site and I saw him emerge from his cabin looking pretty uncomfortable and a short discussion convinced me that the public mooring area up river would be the only reasonable area.  Maintenance would also be a concern.

Mention of residential units also concerns me. Will these units mimic the demographics of our diverse neighborhood or will they cater only to the wealthy? I would really like to see any planners hired by local governments be from the community not from out of the area.

One possibility you might consider including in your plan for the port is that of a public market much like the one we attend on Saturdays.  Such a market would be easy and cheap to start and could become a very popular attraction. It could even be done prior to further development. If it turns out to be popular and a reasonable function it could be improved. Start small and grow.

Traffic/Parking needs to be addressed. From our perspective both planning for and handling of traffic/parking has been poor at best thus far.

We wish you and your administration well and look forward to some well thought out and executed development in the Charlotte - Port of Rochester neighborhood.

 

November 23, 2005

I know that land around the area in Charlotte that you are considering for development is valuable property. However, if people do not have available parking or convenient shuttles the businesses in the area will not survive, expecially in the Winter Months.

 

November 18, 2005

Yesterday's meeting was well received and a terrific first step. Everyone we spoke with had positive comments about your presentation. I have also sent out the website address to community members and business owners in the area.

As communications person for Sector 1 and editor of our annual DISCOVER THE HARBOR DISTRICT, I have a lot of project info and historical data, photos on file and readily available whenever you need it. We can supply you with any further community info and a contact list with e-mail addresses. Whatever you need in the way of pictures, just e-mail me and we can get it to you.

Thank you so much for a wonderful meeting!

 

September 20, 2005

Hello Sir, My name is Brian Beachner, I am a life long resident of Rochester and read the story of your work with great interest. I am proud of Rochester and especially the port area as my family has been a part of the history involving some of the local Marinas. I am curious if you have ever taken a pleasure cruise along the river and shoreline to see it from a different perspective, in order to respect the history and get to know why the port has floundered for so many years and is now such a topic of discussion. If you are interested in hearing more from ordinary people and go for a ride on the river on a "regular boat" Regular meaning not the fast ferry then feel free to contact me, it would be my pleasure.

Thank you for your time