Four signs of change in downtown Rochester
A vision of Chase Tower filled with sleek apartments and condos. Millions of dollars to help redevelop the Sibley Building. A plan to rehab another historic downtown structure.
Last but not least, open-air limos that you pedal with your feet.
These were just a few signs of continued transformation in the center city to emerge Tuesday at the Rochester Downtown Development Corp.'s annual Downtown Rising luncheon at the Radisson Hotel Rochester Riverside.
"Our city is changing very quickly and it will be barely recognizable within the next number of years," predicted Andy Gallina, president of Gallina Development Corp.
Here are four pieces of news worth noting out of the annual showcase of development projects.
1.) More taxpayer support for Sibley. New York state will pony up $10.2 million to support WinnDevelopment's plans to convert the former Sibley's department store on East Main Street into a mix of apartments, offices and retail space.
Specifically, the state will help to fund Phase 1 of the project, which includes 72 units of mixed-income housing for seniors, along with amenities like a gym and game room.
Work on this phase should begin late this fall in hopes of moving tenants in by spring 2017, said Joseph Eddy, vice president of WinnDevelopment.
"We appreciate Gov. (Andrew) Cuomo's specific support for this project, which is a key driver for downtown Rochester, and his strong commitment to affordable housing across the state," Eddy said in a statement after the luncheon.
Taxpayers already have a stake in the Sibley project: A 20-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement with the developer.
Overall, the makeover of the building — constructed in 1906 after a fire destroyed the original structure — is expected to cost some $200 million.
2.) A glimpse of Chase Tower's future. Gallina offered a look at his company's plans for the 26-story Chase Tower, purchased in March for $5.4 million.
Plans include a revamped park at the corner of East Main Street and Clinton Avenue, where musicians, food festivals and pop-up retail could set up, Gallina said.
The developer also plans to improve the entrance to the tower to improve access for both drivers and pedestrians.
Gallina has luxury apartments slated for the 14th through 21st floors and condominiums on floors 22 through 26.
Altogether, the tower is expected to add between 130 and 150 new residential units.
3.) Another building to be redeveloped. DHD Ventures, the up-and-coming development firm behind projects like the renovated Button Lofts, is snapping up another key downtown property.
Co-founder and managing partner Tom Masaschi said DHD will partner with Morgan Management to buy and redevelop the 87-year-old Alliance Building on East Main Street.
The 17-story building across Stone Street from another DHD project — a new Hilton Garden Inn — went on the market last year for $1.3 million.
DHD's plans call for converting the building into 130 apartments, Masaschi said.
The firm has many other plans underway downtown, including the conversion of 88 Elm St. into apartments and first-floor retail and turning the Terminal Building on West Broad Street into apartments.
While working on another project at 50 Chestnut St., DHD found a surprise — a walled-up 1,000-seat auditorium. The firm hopes to reuse the facility for events, Masaschi said.
4.) Pedal-powered tours. The operator of Buffalo Pedal Tours will open up shop in the center city in July, said Heidi Zimmer-Meyer, president of the Rochester Downtown Development Corp.
The business operates small open-air buses with tables where up to 15 participants can sit and pedal to propel the vehicles along. A tour driver steers and often stops at pubs and grills along the route.
The Buffalo Pedal Tours website says it offers historic, sightseeing and bar crawl tours, along with rentals for private events.
DRILEY@DemocratandChronicle.com
