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Rochester's
ArtWalk Receives State Funding
University
Avenue ArtWalk Receives $232,800 State Grant
Governor Pataki Announces a total of $3.2 Million for
Regional Enhancement Projects
The
University Avenue ArtWalk will receive a state grant of
$232,800! Governor George E. Pataki announced the award
of $232,800 in Rochester on March 23rd. The project will
provide a 1,900-foot long, enhanced, urban pedestrian
trail connecting many of Rochester's arts institutions
including the George Eastman House, Writers & Books,
and the Memorial Art Gallery.
The
project, a splendid example of community-based planning,
has been developed by a group of arts and community activists
from the Neighborhood for the Arts, in collaboration with
the City of Rochester.
The
proposal includes 8-foot wide sidewalks with 5 feet of
standard, possibly colored and stamped, concrete in the
center and textured, colored concrete banding on each
side. Artistic designs and medallions would be set into
the walk. Other pedestrian elements include a pedestrian-level
light system adjacent to the ArtWalk, sculptures consistent
with an arts district and litter containers.
The
University Avenue Artwalk is located from Goodman Street
to the George Eastman House International Museum of Photography
and Film near Russell Street. The project will provide
an enhanced, pedestrian-friendly urban environment which
promotes pedestrian safety and quality of life through
traffic calming measures.
The
Governor also announced a nearly $1.7 million award to
the Town of Irondequoit and Monroe County to construct
a multi-use trail extending from Irondequoit Bay to the
Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester. The Governor announced an
additional $1 million in awards for Livingston, Monroe
and Wyoming county community enhancement projects.
"The
construction of the Sea Breeze-Charlotte-Seneca Trail
will once again transform the Lake Ontario shoreline into
a world-class tourism destination," Governor Pataki
said. "By increasing public access to the
waterfront to enjoy the spectacular fishing, beautiful
landscapes and other bay and lakeshore attractions, the
trail project will stimulate further investment and economic
development in the area.
"Lake
Ontario and Irondequoit Bay provide outstanding recreational
and natural resources for the residents of Monroe County
and the Greater Rochester area," the Governor said.
"Investing in these projects will
develop more than 25 miles of multi-use trails in Livingston,
Monroe, Seneca and Wyoming Counties, making it easier
for pedestrians to enjoy downtown Rochester, while enhancing
access to the entire region's waterfronts, parks, zoos
and other recreational areas."
The
Sea Breeze/Charlotte/Seneca Park Multi-Use Trail project
provides for the construction of a 7.5-mile long multi-use
trail extending from Irondequoit Bay Outlet through the
Sea Breeze area along Culver Road south along Lake Shore
Boulevard westward through Durand Eastman Park to Rock
Beach Road. West of Rock Beach Road, the trail would extend
to the Genesee River-Charlotte area and then south along
the east side of the Genesee River to Seneca Park/Zoo.
Senator Michael F. Nozzolio said, "Improving access
to our waterways and trails is of great importance to
our efforts to promote our local tourism industry and
stimulate new economic growth in our communities.
Assemblyman
Joseph D. Morelle said, "I am delighted the Governor
has come to Irondequoit today to recognize the beauty
and potential of our waterfront resources. Those of us
who live here know the unique and spectacular history
of the Irondequoit lakefront. This funding will help restore
Irondequoit to its former status as a premier tourist
destination."
Town
of Irondequoit Supervisor David W. Schantz said, "The
future health and vitality of the Town of Irondequoit
depends in great part on our ability to maximize the positive
benefits to our community of our unique water resources.
The Sea Breeze/Charlotte/Seneca Park Trail is a critical
component in our plans to revitalize our waterfront districts.
This important project will go a long way in helping us
realize the vision we
have for our waterfront districts and the revitalization
of our town."
The
entire trail proposal is a mixture of off-street paths
along two abandoned railroad rights-of-way and on-street
facilities with bicycle space/lanes and new sidewalk construction
along portions of Culver Road
and Lake Shore Boulevard.
The
project will encourage alternate modes of transportation
minimizing congestion; increase tourism potential; improve
and increase linkages with other forms of transportation;
improve public access to waterfront resources along the
bay, lake, and river; and provide educational opportunities.
Other
projects receiving funding are:
Lehigh
Valley Linear Trail $846,833 Livingston and Monroe Counties
Project
will develop approximately 15 miles of abandoned railroad
right-of-way in Monroe and Livingston Counties as a multi-use
trail.
The
Lehigh Valley Trail begins to the west in the Town of
Caledonia, Livingston County, where it will link with
the Genesee Valley Greenway. The rail trail will continue
eastward through the Towns of Rush and Mendon to the Monroe/Ontario
County Line. Here the trail links with the Auburn Branch
Trail (also known as Victor Hiking Trail) that connects
to both Powder Mills Park and the Village of Victor.
The
project will provide a connection between the Genesee
Valley Greenway Trail and the Finger Lakes Trails systems
and preservation of the scenic and historic bridge over
the Genesee River. It also provides connections between
three historic sites: Mendon Ponds Park, Totiakton Indian
Site, and Ganandogan Historic Site.
The
project includes: clearing the entire length of right-of-way;
building bridge approach to Genesee River crossing; grading
surface to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards;
drainage improvement; surface trail with recycled asphalt
materials; safety improvements; signage; and parking areas.
The project is a result of a public/private partnership
between Monroe County and the nonprofit Mendon Foundation
trails group.
Genesee
Valley Greenway Trail Development $192,000 Livingston
and Wyoming Counties
Project
will develop four miles of new Genesee Valley Greenway
Trail in Wyoming County using the former Genesee Valley
Canal/Pennsylvania Railroad Corridor including the installation
of steel gates and signage the trail surface; regrading
and stabilization of the trail surface. Provides for repair,
preservation, and interpretation of historic canal structures
within Livingston and Wyoming Counties, including the
long-term
stabilization and restoration of three historic, stone
arch culverts.
The
project will extend and substantially complete most of
the Genesee Valley Greenway, thereby opening a major western
New York resource for the use and enjoyment of the public,
as well as additional opportunities for public education;
increased tourism and business opportunities for adjacent
communities.
Waterloo
Waterfront Trail Project, $281,000 Village of Waterloo,
Seneca County
There
are two components to the project. Component I is the
Oak Island/Central Business District connector trail.
The walking trail will connect Oak Island, which is the
village's canal port on the Cayuga-Seneca Canal, to the
villages Central Business District, approximately mile
away, including the canal towpath and Locust Street crossing,
and the canal bed segment. Component II is the construction
of the Waterloo segment of the Erie Canal Corridor Trail
from Route 96 in the village east to the village line
where it will connect to River Street (County Route 117).
The
funding announced on March 23 is from the federal Transportation
Enhancement Program. The approved projects were selected
as a result of a process that included priority rankings
made by local officials around the state, and a statewide
Transportation Enhancement Advisory Committee that included
representatives from the Association of Counties; the
National Audubon Society; the Environmental Defense Fund;
the Board for Historic Preservation; the Empire State
Development Corporation; the Department of State; the
NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation;
and the Department
of Environmental Conservation.
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