Elements of Urbanism: Rochester

[Metro Jacksonville]

Elements of Urbanism: Rochester



Once known as the  Young Lion of the West , America's first boomtown faces many of the same issues taking place locally, in regards to urban revitalization.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/906

[Ocklawaha]

Looks like a pretty cool city, damn I might even visit if it wern't full of New Yorkers and if they'd let me do the falls in my Kayak! 

Every true Southrons LAST WORDS: "HEY YA'LL WATCH THIS, YEEHAW!"

OCKLAWAHA

[RiversideGator]

Interesting piece.  I was really surprised to learn about the abandoned subway line.  I never knew they once had one.  It would be great to see it revived but it may not make sense in terms of cost.

[thelakelander]

The subway was originally the bed of the Erie Canal.  Even if it can't be used for rail, it's a piece of Rochester's history that should not be filled in with dirt (something the city proposed, but caught a lot of heat for).

[RiversideGator]

Agreed.  Even Jacksonville with our water table could have such a shallow subway in many areas of town.  Just dig a big trench, add railroad tracks and cover it up.   

[Ocklawaha]

The subway probably has a whole new life, but not as heavy rail as it once was planned to become. Rather, make the whole thing a ultra-light-rail or streetcar project, and get what Buffalo did without the Zillion dollars a mile cost. Damn, this thing was used by freight until recently, so it's nearly turn-key. Maybe a coat of paint, some track work and overhead wire. badda bing - badda biff - SUBWAY!

ON THE CHEAP!

OCKLAWAHA

[ProjectMaximus]

Nice work! Lots of interesting elements to the city.

Is the Eastman School of Music really part of the "nightlife" though? I'll have to ask my friends there for the lowdown, but from what I have always been told before, nobody dares walk around the conservatory area after dark.

[thelakelander]

Probably not.   However, its in the area the city has branded as the East End.  From my experience, the East End felt similar to our Bay Street.  It had a couple of places, but nothing like a Ybor.  However, Rochester does do a better job of promoting their budding urban nightlife and dining districts.

[CMG22]

The area around Eastman is better than that around Hemming Park at night.  There's a picture of my favorite coffee shop, called "Java's."  It's the second picture down from "The Eastman Theater anchors the East End." Great atmosphere, and there's only an alley between it and the Eastman Theater.  There's a strip of bars not far from there, too.  And many more not quite as consolidated but still well within walking distance, even in December.  I plan on doing it tomorrow while home... :-)

[ProjectMaximus]

The area around Eastman is better than that around Hemming Park at night.  There's a picture of my favorite coffee shop, called "Java's."  It's the second picture down from "The Eastman Theater anchors the East End." Great atmosphere, and there's only an alley between it and the Eastman Theater.  There's a strip of bars not far from there, too.  And many more not quite as consolidated but still well within walking distance, even in December.  I plan on doing it tomorrow while home... :-)

Home in Rochester, you mean? So you're a northern transplant? Cool.

[CMG22]

I sure am.  I guess that makes me a "damn Yankee!"  And I did indeed visit the bars and coffee houses all around the East End every night except Christmas Eve.  Although I think I ruined my leather low quarters (I no longer own boots), I managed to no be harassed, panhandled, and my car was not broken into nor ticketed despite some rather unique parking...    I even had dinner at a place, located behind an independent movie theater, which is not unlike Bistro Aix.  It's always packed, but we managed to get seated.  It is really a wonderful little area of the Rochester...