City of Rochester
News Release
(Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024) – This month marks an
important milestone in the revitalization of Rochester’s Bull’s Head
Neighborhood. On Jan. 22, DevelopROC will present its proposed preliminary
plans and begin to obtain feedback and input from community members. For
additional information go to www.DevelopROC.com.
DevelopROC, a consortium of experienced local and national
stakeholders, includes locally based US Ceiling Corp., Pensacola, Fla.-based
The Dawson Co., Philadelphia-based Shift Capital, Chicago-based Brinshore
Development, and Atlanta-based The Oughtness Group. As a result of an RFQ
process to identify a developer the City selected the consortium to serve as
the primary developer for the 12-acre Bull’s Head project, create a proposed
plan, and obtain community input.
Once a plan is approved, DevelopROC will lead the effort to
identify and work with tenants, finalize necessary remediation, and oversee the
build out of the neighborhood. The team is already welcoming ESL Federal Credit
Union in the first phase of development.
The City of Rochester began working on the Bull’s Head
revitalization effort with a community input and planning process in 2009,
expanded the footprint of the project in 2017, created a Bull’s Head Urban Renewal Plan in 2018, identified more than 60
potential brownfield sites and obtained official Brownfield
Opportunity Area Program designation from the NYS Department of State in
January 2021.
Since the City selected DevelopROC in 2021, it has continued
to oversee necessary demolition, and is scheduled to complete that work
mid-year 2024. In addition, the City of Rochester will manage all street
construction and has local and federal funds earmarked for the street portion
of the project. Preliminary street engineering design will be completed by fall
2025, and construction is scheduled to begin in 2026.
The City will host a public information meeting to discuss
the proposed conceptual street improvements, including suggested intersection
reconfigurations to improve pedestrian safety and bicycle connectivity as well
as new street extensions to support the development plan shared by DevelopROC.
The public information meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb.
27, 2024, at the Salvation Army on 100 West Ave.
The Bull’s Head neighborhood, in the southwest quadrant of the
city, is where West Main Street, Genesee Street, Brown Street, Chili Avenue,
and West Avenue converge. The 12-acre redevelopment area includes properties
both north and south of West Main Street.
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News Media: For more information, contact Communications
Director Barbara Pierce at Barbara.Pierce@cityofrochester.gov.
The Administration of Mayor
Malik D. Evans strives to create a safe, equitable and
prosperous Rochester by inspiring hope and delivering opportunity for everyone.
Guided by the Administration’s Mission, Vision and Values and the principles of the “Rochester
2034” comprehensive plan, City employees are committed to providing
exceptional customer service, transparent stewardship, and collaborative
leadership to foster a vibrant community that empowers personal, professional
and generational growth for all who live, work or play in the city of
Rochester.