Downtown Revitalization Initiative: East Main Street

In 2021, Gov. Kathy Hochul awarded the City of Rochester $10 million in funding through the State’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) designed to revitalize communities and grow the economy. 

Five Downtown Core projects were chosen out of fourteen proposals submitted because of their focus on “…enhancing community services, walkability, business and housing opportunities.”  

Full announcement video

Selected projects

Main and Clinton: 216–218, 220–222 & 224–226 East Main Street

Redevelop four historic mixed-use buildings that have been a blight on the urban landscape for nearly four decades. This extensive historic renovation will also strive for carbon neutrality and create middle-income housing units and modern storefronts on a prominent corner of Downtown.

Historic Edwards Building: 26 – 34 St Paul Street 

A certified historic rehabilitation of the long-vacant Edwards Building combined with the creation of a district geothermal cooperative under the adjacent parking lot. Approximately 114 new housing units and ground-floor commercial space will be added.

Alta Vista at St. Joseph's Park: Corner of Franklin & Pleasant Street

Construct an approximately 6-story, 76-unit mixed-income building on four vacant lots in Downtown Rochester. The project includes supportive housing units for survivors of domestic violence and space for the Landmark Society of Western New York. This project will also make improvements to the adjacent St. Joseph's Park. New lighting, pathways, and structural improvements will enhance this public and outdoor event space.

Main Street Commons: 170-172 East Main Street

Create a new outdoor public space in the heart of Downtown and improve pedestrian connections between St. Paul Street and Clinton Avenue. This project will divide the existing 600-foot-long superblock into two more walkable urban block lengths. 

Kresge Building Hotel: 186 East Main Street

Redevelop the three-story Kresge building into an approximately 28-room boutique hotel with anchor food and beverage establishments on the ground floor facing Main Street, Division Street, and the proposed Main Street Commons.

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 For more information about this project, view the full press release here.

View an image of the of the DRI project area

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