City of Rochester
News Release
(Thursday, June 21, 2012) — Mayor Thomas S. Richards, Deputy Mayor Leonard E. Redon, City Council President Lovely A. Warren and Councilmember Adam McFadden today joined members of the Friends of the Rochester Public Market and Marketview Heights neighbors to officially open a new pedestrian and Market shuttle bridge over Union Street.
“This project furthers our commitment to forge a more pedestrian-friendly city and to further enhance our already outstanding Public Market,” said Mayor Richards. “It is also a great example of remaking the relics of our industrial heyday into amenities for today and the future.”
Built on an abandoned CSX railroad trestle constructed between 1904 and 1906, the bridge more safely and rapidly connects Public Market parking lots west of Union Street with the Market grounds. The total cost for the project was approximately $1.3 million. Prior to construction of the bridge, shoppers had to traverse a busy Union Street to access the Market from the Trinidad Street parking lots.
In addition to serving pedestrians, the new bridge will convey the Market Shuttle that brings shoppers and their goods between the Market and parking lots. The Friends of the Public Market, an all-volunteer group, raised funds for the Shuttle and also operate it. Friends President Andy Johnson thanked The Summit Federal Credit Union for its major sponsorship, and in particular, its support of the Market Shuttle.
Other improvements made during this project include 1,200 feet of paved pathway, 145 additional parking spaces, decorative gateways, new signage and fencing. The project’s styles, colors, materials and design attempt to reflect the area’s historic character and complement the surrounding neighborhood.
This “Rails to Trails” Conversion Project was an outgrowth of neighborhood input during a Marketview Heights North Union Street Corridor Mini-Charrette held in 2007. The re-adaptive reuse of this old abandoned Railroad Bridge was at the heart of the North Union Street Corridor Vision Plan.
Luis Burgos, City Commissioner of Recreation and Youth Services, said, “We are even prouder today to be the home of the Public Market. Market patrons are key to making our Market successful and special and with this bridge we’re glad to be offering those loyal patrons an even better experience.”
“This bridge is just the latest piece of the revival of the Marketview Heights neighborhood,” said City Council President Warren. “With the success of the Market and the intensive work ongoing through the Focused Investment Strategy process, the Heights neighborhood is on its way to new heights!”
Paul Holahan, City Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Services, remarked, “It is especially gratifying to roll out pedestrian-focused projects such as this bridge, as the City aims to position itself as one of the most livable environments for people on foot and on bicycles.”
For more information on the Union Street Public Market pedestrian and shuttle bridge, visit www.cityofrochester.gov/unionstreetbridge.
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News Media: For more information, contact Jim Farr, Asst. Dir. of Recreation, 428-6866.