Charles Carroll Plaza and Genesee Crossroads Parking Garage Roof Slab Reconstruction Project
About the project
Charles Carroll Plaza and the supporting Genesee Crossroads Parking Garage underneath are located on a prime waterfront site on the west bank of the Genesee River between Main Street and Andrews Street in the city of Rochester’s Central Business District.
The Sister Cities Bridge connects the east and west sides of the Genesee River, creating a holistic experience that embraces Charles Carroll Plaza on the west and Genesee Crossroads Park on the east.
Charles Carroll Plaza, along with the connecting Sister Cities Bridge and Genesee Crossroads Park, is a riverfront public urban space that provides scenic views, park seating, a public promenade, public art, and green space. The multiple levels of the tiered plaza directly reflect the shape of the multi-storied Genesee Crossroads Parking Garage below. The plaza is approximately 127,000 SF (3.4 acres) and provides essential connections to the surrounding downtown. The 50 year old site is in poor condition and requires renovation.
Project Objectives
- Remove pavers and other portions of the plaza to access supporting garage roof slab underneath
- Perform concrete slab repairs and replace the waterproofing system
- Redesign and reconstruct a new plaza that meets the current needs of the City’s urban core and supporting downtown revitalization
- Provide full ADA compliant accessibility and bicycle access throughout the plaza by replacing stairs with ramps in strategic locations
- Update the Sister Cities Bridge with a new elevated flyover connection
The Genesee Crossroads Parking Garage provides approximately 658 parking spaces and is vital to the city’s downtown parking needs. The garage roof waterproofing and structural repairs are of the highest priority in maintaining and extending the functional life of this valuable asset.
The plaza on top of the parking garage is an essential link in the Genesee Riverway Trail system, a designated National Recreation Trail that provides pedestrian access along the Genesee River.
Plaza Reconstruction Objectives…functionality with artistic waterfront design:
- Visibility and views: Maximize views of the river
- Linkages: Improve all linkages through the plaza to create a dynamic pedestrian network
- Safety: Reduce vertical elements and add lighting to increase perception of safety
- Accessibility: Create full accessibility wherever feasible
- Vitality: User attractions and activity generators such as vendors, interactive art, sculptures, game tables, kiosks, open green and recreation spaces
- Additional factors such as durability, maintenance, and spatial variety will play into the final design.
Project Team
The design consultant team of T.Y. Lin International Group, with OLIN landscape architecture, urban design & planning, Environmental Design and Research, landscape architecture, engineering and environmental services, Highland Planning, LLC and Bell & Spina Architects was selected through the City’s Request for Proposal (RFP) process to provide engineering, landscape architectural, public outreach, planning and design services for the project.
Public engagement and feedback for understanding the needs and visions of the community as they relate to the plaza will be implemented through a project advisory committee, public meetings, public surveys, and project updates on the City’s website.
Project Schedule
- Winter / Spring 2015: Design Consultant Procurement through City RFP process
- Summer / Fall 2015: Site Reconnaissance and Inspection
- December 10, 2015: Project Advisory Committee (PAC) Meeting 1 at the Holiday Inn on State Street
- February 24, 2016: Public Information Meeting 1 at the Holiday Inn on State Street
- September 14, 2016: PAC Meeting 2 at the First Federal Plaza
- November 10, 2016: Public Information Meeting 2 at the Holiday Inn on State Street
- Spring 2016– Fall 2017: Schematic planning and design
- Summer 2018: ROC the Riverway funding announcement
- January 2019 – Fall 2019: Preliminary development of design
Phase 1: Sister Cities Bridge Improvement
- Fall 2019: Final development of design and publicly bid
- Spring 2020 - Late Fall 2021: Construction phase (Bridge and project area will remain inaccessible until the completion of phase 2)
Phase 2: Charles Carroll Plaza Improvements
- Spring 2021: Final design and bidding
- Fall 2021 - Fall 2023: Construction phase
Phase 3: State Street Connection to the Genesee Riverway Trail
Phase three of the project consists of the improvements to the State Street Connection to the Genesee Riverway Trail, between State Street and Charles Carroll Plaza to provide an accessible path.
The Project is located at 86 & 100 State Street, Rochester, NY, and includes the construction of an accessible sidewalk. The project will improve pedestrian access to the Genesee Riverway Trail and Charles Carroll Plaza from State Street, and will include the removal of existing steps, construction of an ADA accessible sidewalk, and park gateway signage. Work items include, but are not limited to:
- Placement of lightweight fill, subgrade, base course and new sidewalk
- Removal of portions of concrete walls
- Vertical extension of concrete walls
- Waterproofing
- Installation of new security fencing and railing system
- Drainage improvements
- Park gateway signage
- Pedestrian Lighting
The schedule for Phase 3 is as follows:
- Summer 2023: Spring 2024 - Design
- Spring 2024: Bidding
- Spring 2024: Winter 2024 - Construction
Project Documents
Schedule is subject to adjustments
Project Funding and Attributions
Design and construction documents are prepared with funds provided by the New York State Department of State under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund.
Project Documents
Project Advisory Committee Meeting 1
- December 10, 2015
- Download key slides from the presentation
Public Information Meeting 2
Public Information Meeting 3
- September 24, 2019
- Download boards from the meeting