A Vision for Downtown Rochester
As steward of the process to form a potential Business Improvement District (BID) for downtown Rochester, The Partnership for Downtown Rochester has stated a continued commitment to listen and learn from the downtown Rochester community. In the past year and a half, an extensive community engagement initiative, with engagement at over 40 events, has taken place as part of the BID process, with over 1,500+ responses.
The vision and guiding principles that follow reflect the consensus of a diverse group of community builders and are based upon public input collected over the last year. This community-informed vision for downtown Rochester and set of guiding principles will frame the next steps in the process to form a BID in downtown Rochester.
A Vision for Downtown Rochester
Downtown Rochester will solidify its position as the region’s historic and innovative center of bustling community activity. Residents, workers, and visitors will enjoy beautiful and energetic public spaces, including a sensational Riverway, with a dynamic collection of arts, music, culture, shopping, living, and educational and employment opportunities that are accessible to everyone. Active street life will make all feel welcome and safe.
Guiding Principles
• Community Centered & Accessible: Downtown is everybody’s neighborhood and a proud home of social innovation. Downtown embraces its role as the center of community life for people of all ages, races, incomes, abilities, and world views.
• Welcoming & Safe: Everyone feels welcome and safe in downtown Rochester. Public areas are active throughout the daytime and evening and enlivened with welcoming messages, friendly faces, and things to do.
• Equitable: Downtown is the center of a proudly diverse city. Community members come from many different histories and circumstances. Downtown acknowledges past harms and accepts its responsibility to offer positive experiences.
• Vibrant: Downtown is exciting and fun. Streets and public areas are energized, bustling with activity. It is the place to be in Rochester to live, work, shop, dine, learn, and play.
• Vital: Downtown is the center of Greater Rochester’s economy. Many people work in downtown’s offices, stores, hotels, homes, gathering places, warehouses, and industries. Public, private, and community-based leadership work together to realize a shared vision for the future of downtown.
