City of Rochester receives awards for public work projects
The City of Rochester was awarded three Project of the Year Awards by the Genesee Valley Branch of the American Public Works Association at their 40th Annual Awards Banquet on Thursday, January 30, 2025.
In the Structures category, the City will be recognized for the Austin Steward Plaza and Sister Cities Bridge projects. Formerly known as Major Charles Carroll Plaza, the Austin Steward Plaza was renamed in 2024 after one of Rochester’s first prominent Black business owners, Austin Steward. The redesigned plaza showcases scenic views of the Genesee River and serves as a pedestrian hub along the Genesee Riverway Trail. The Sister Cities Bridge is a pedestrian bridge that connects the Austin Steward Plaza and Genesee Crossroads Park Downtown. The renovations included the creation of a fully ADA accessible link across the Genesee River along with new lighting, flagpoles, railings, and structural upgrades.
The City of Rochester has also been recognized in Transportation Projects for improvements made on South Avenue and Elmwood Avenue. The improvements consisted of reconstructing two city of Rochester streets as well as a new cycle track along Elmwood Avenue.
In the Historic Restoration/Preservation Projects category, the City has been recognized for the Aqueduct District Street improvements project. The renovations included street reconstruction, converting Aqueduct Street to a one-way southbound roadway, and Bank Place to a one-way westbound. Improvements also included new sidewalks, curbs, hydrants, and lighting.
Two projects were a part of the ROC the Riverway program that includes more than two dozen transformational projects along the Genesee River.