High Falls hope…
The Democrat and Chronicle today report changes in the plans for High Falls. Ive commented on this issue before now, prompted largely by such fond memories of the district back around 2000. Things certainly have changed and the area has seen a drop in visitors. Driving around the area (there's no point in stopping, nothing there to stop and see these days) leaves a distinct 'what a shame' air about the place. Take a look – it's a beautiful area. Hope however exists – largely based on comments Ive made before now and my experience with inner city living back in the UK. Entertainment is one thing, business and accommodation however drives a year round, all day round buzz to the place. It could happen soon – reports suggest a number of new accommodation blocks are being transformed from the old warehouses that will hopefully bring in those with disposable income. The D&C report however rightly identifies marketing as the problem. Just as with the fast ferry – marketing – particularly the communication of benefits to the wider public are responsible for its demise. At least that's the way I see it. Just as with the port area of Rochester High Falls has the chance to really reinvent itself as a desirable location, not just for play, but for work and living too. I just hope the city can find the investors able to see a vision for the place. Otherwise I'm afraid 'what a shame' will become 'what a tragedy'. The final report on the area also makes for interesting reading. Spot the marketing mistakes…
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Alright as a Rochester native I can’t resist… I have to comment on this one. Did you happen to hear why Saddle Ridge, the club in the old Jillian’s building closed? The city shut it down because only after they were allowed to start operating did the city figure out the owners had defaulted on several debts in the past. The incompetence behind some of the decisions made in this city is mind boggling.
In my mind, so many of the errors made in this city have to do with scale. The fast ferry, for instance… cities twice the size of Rochester just about filling ferries half the size of the one we had. Even though I’ve come of legal drinking age, I do sincerely miss jillians. There are plenty of teens and young adults under 21 who want to be out where there is liveliness and activity, even if they can’t drink.
While Jillian’s in High Falls may have been too large and set in an area in decline, a smaller version of it set in an area like midtown would have great potential in my mind. Bowling, pool, darts, air hockey, arcade, a dance floor… would be great. Until then, all those young adults living off their parents at home, with all that disposable income from their part-time jobs, will dump it someplace other than the inner city.
And god forbid someone should discover we’re a major jazz centre outside New Orleans… Hey, even I have to break from thesis work sometimes…
I also agree almost entirely Chris, theres a great deal here for everyone in this city, Im not sure we should let the area of high falls decline any further though (not that this is what you implied directly). The irony is for me, life in the USA for many exists around a ten mile radius of where they live. It shouldnt be this way and if the inner city is to survive it cant be this way. If you want real irony though, life in the UK and for more Europeans exists within walking distance…
I love the notion that we are a major Jazz centre – I must confess – I wasnt aware of it and would love to know of appropriate venues…
I’m not sure if it’s still open, but you might consider Keys Piano Bar in the High Falls area, or Beale Street in the South Wedge. There are also quite a few Jazz acts playing at Java’s, the Little Theatre Cafe, Kilbourne Hall at the Eastman School of Music, as well as things put on by the RPO.
One of the issues in High Falls, in my opinion, is the enormous size of many of the facilities. The Jillian’s/Saddle Ridge site is large, as is the Empire Brewing/Bru site. I can’t imagine the costs just to heat those places. I’ve read that someone signed a lease for the old Empire Brewing site, so we’ll see if they can make it work. Perhaps they can use some of the space for live music, billiards, or something that will generate additional foot traffic and longer stays.
I’m happy to hear about the residential plans for a few different buildings. High Falls lacks that critical mass. It’s very viable in terms of office space. But businesses have a hard time during most evenings outside of Red Wings/Rhinos season. If an area looks active, I think it’ll make it more appealing to others. The area was marketed to visitors, yet it has always been pretty ghostly during weekend afternoons.
So I’m happy to hear they are repositioning the district to make it more of an urban neighborhood. I can certainly imagine young (or old) ad agency, radio execs, and architects that work in the district having interest in moving in. It looks like the new complex in the Kodak lot will follow the Corn Hill Landing model. That complex has a waiting list and the storefronts are pretty much full. Two recent restaurant openings (Siam and Virtu) have filled up the slots. So we’ll see.
Rochester primary focus needs to be one of cultivating relationships with businesses around the world. Rochester was once a manufacturing powerhouse, known for Kodak, Xerox, etc. However, massive layoffs have destroyed the job base here, and have had a ripple effect on the other supporting industries. So there needs to be a concerted effort of replenishing the middle-upper jobs downtown (which will also help alleviate the student brain drain). Offer placement benefits that are just too sweet to pass up, ie) huge tax breaks that no other city can match for companies that promise x amount of middle/upper paying jobs. Rochester is competing not only with larger cities but the suburbs as well. One caveat, the city also needs to practice due diligence in their offers and make sure that a company will stay in the area, and insure a individual third-party assists in structuring the deals. City management of deals has proved mediocre at best.
Private, supporting industries and business will naturally follow without much encouragement from the city. Restaurants, nightlife and housing should flourish were there is a concentration of businesses, much like they did in the days of Kodak and Xerox. However focus should be on a specific area and not individual hot spots spattered throughout the city.
Rochester is a small city relatively speaking- so keep ideas to scale, if only for the short-term. Build up from the East/Park/Alexander areas and slowly work out. Developers realize the potential of the real estate market within Rochester and have been slowly building loft and luxury apartments- Corn Hill Landing, 200 East, etc- all within that specific area. Redevelopment will slowly spill over into the surrounding areas as these projects succeed. I just hope that the performing arts center/bus terminal isn’t too ambitious for Rochester at this time.
So in summary, Rochester should focus on job creation downtown by offering irresistible incentives to big businesses. From there, supporting industries will slowly begin to develop and the nightlife/entertainment will flourish. High Falls is a beautiful area, but at this time I feel that it is too disconnected from the main hub of business/nightlife to be a take-off success.
Part of the problem in getting change to happen, I think, is the rigidity of the Western New York political system. The legistrative districts are gerimandered (drawn in such a way that the population within each will always overwhelmingly favor the incumbent). 90% of incumbents in elections around here win reelection. There is very little incentive for risk taking and much too great a benefit to complacency.
The fact which remains is this… Rochester has the highest homicide rate in the entire state. It’s not even a matter that I get accosted by endless panhandlers every time I’m around East and Alexander… the violent crime must be brought under control for people and businesses to return to the city. Have you noticed that the RPD is never on traffic detail anymore? That’s done exclusively by the county Sherriff’s department and state troopers, it seems. THe RPD is strained and needs more feet on the ground. That won’t come without higher pay for cops. Higher pay for cops won’t come without additional funding- from somewhere! Additional funding is much less likely to come from an area with a strained budget as it is, and the budget will not change with a complacent political system in place.
I think too much about this sort of thing…
I watch peregrine falcons. There is a nest box atop Kodak tower across from high falls bridge so I am often there. The view is spectacular– the mist from the falls, the deer and turkeys with their young and the baby falcons learning how to play and romp. That said, I think the crime in the city is a major deterrant to the area. Plus there is no place to park. I would like to see the wildlife preserved in the area but small shops would be pretty cool too. For all the times I have been there, the only thing open has been a couple of restaurants and bars. Some trendy, fun places would be great. Still crime needs to be controlled. I have also been there after some concerts and it has been bedlam.
Buffalo topped Rochester in regards to the homicide rate in 2006. So, we’ve happily shed that totally–hopefully for good….
In general, crime occurs in the “crescent” which is removed from where most businesses locate. Resolving poverty and empowering people–creating opportunity–in these areas to get jobs that pay the bills is critical, but the issues in the “crescent” aren’t likely to keep businesses away from downtown. I go to plenty of downtown events at PAETEC Park, Frontier Field, and the Blue Cross Arena and I’ve never had a problem.
Unshackle Upstate is an interesting effort. Hopefully they’ll have some success in reducing the tax burden on businesses.