West River Wall improvements project named APWA Public Works Project of the Year
Mayor Malik D. Evans today announced that the City’s West River Wall Improvements at the North Star Commons project received the American Public Works Association’s (APWA) Public Works Project of the Year in the category of Structure Projects valued at $5 million but less than $25 million at their conference in Atlanta this week. The recognition acknowledges the significance of the project’s impact on the community and its success in improving infrastructure, public safety, and quality of life.
“This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the many people who were involved in this transformative project,” said Mayor Evans. “These improvements have significantly enhanced the ability for people to connect to the Genesee River in ways that were impossible before and have substantially contributed to the revitalization and beautification of our Downtown. We owe a great deal of thanks to Governor Kathy Hochul and our legislative delegation for their continued advocacy for the City of Rochester.”
The West River Wall Improvements project was a collaborative effort between the City of Rochester, New York State Canal Corporation (NYSCC), New York State Department of State (NYSDOS), Rochester Gas and Electric and the Corn Hill Neighborhood Association. The project was featured in the July issue of APWA magazine.
Highlights of the project include the rebuilding of the portion of the West River Wall of the Genesee River between the Ford Street Bridge and the Corn Hill Landing. Flood protection was restored and riverfront access was enhanced, providing connections to adjacent neighborhoods. The project site reclaimed approximately four acres along the western bank of the Genesee River, and includes features such as a naturalized shoreline, lawn areas, an enhanced Genesee Riverway Trail, a central public plaza, a raised table intersection for enhanced pedestrian safety, and an ADA-accessible boat launch.