Post by ferryfast admin on Feb 21, 2006 11:00:31 GMT -5
Concepts envision hotel, marina at port
Brian Sharp
Staff writer
www.democratandchronicle.com/
(February 21, 2006) — A small boutique hotel and an inlet behind Ontario Beach Park for a new marina are among proposals that will be presented Thursday for the Port of Rochester.
Planning consultant Sasaki Associates Inc. of Watertown, Mass., will be in town to unveil three concept proposals for the city-owned, 30-acre Charlotte development site, now mostly a parking lot. Options show parking garages supporting street-level shops and mid- to upper-end condominiums.
Sasaki officials met with city staffers last week to preview the scenarios.
"Some scenarios had green space, open space, others had a small boutique hotel," City Councilman Robert Stevenson said.
One marina option would cut a new waterway behind Ontario Beach Park from the Genesee River nearly to Lake Avenue. "Studies show there is a very definite market for more marina space around here," Stevenson said. "Basically, as you build it they will come. My biggest question is 'How the heck do you keep (the inlet marina) flushed out?'"
This week's presentation comes after 20 years of discussion about what to do with the port area. The city hired Sasaki Associates last fall to design an urban village and year-round tourist destination. The target area surrounds the ferry terminal and is bordered roughly by Lake Avenue, Ontario Beach Park, the CSX rail line and the Genesee River. Mayor Robert Duffy, going against staff advice, has asked Sasaki to include the terminal in its planning.
Stevenson said all scenarios emphasized residential development filling the upper floors of what could be six new buildings. Wide streets — including a new north-south road — would allow curbside parking, officials said. And all scenarios included a marina for boats at least 20 to 40 feet long. Sasaki also suggested building two parking garages dug into the sloping landscape and rising as much as three levels, officials said.
The goal, Stevenson said, is to achieve intensive development without disrupting views of the water. Julio Vazquez, the city's commissioner of community development, said the designs would tie in with the lighthouse.
Kurt Ritchie owns Scuttlebutt's, 431 River St., and had the catering and gift shop contract on the high-speed ferry.
"I've been here 15 years," Ritchie said, explaining that he opened in Charlotte expecting the redevelopment to take root years ago.
"I would love to see the village-type atmosphere where people are walking, shopping. I don't think one major attraction is going to make it. I think it needs to be a lot of small attractions."
Stevenson said the current street alignment would remain, with the acreage divided into eight plots. Housing would cater to empty nesters and be oriented to the lake. At least one scenario called for intense housing development on the riverfront immediately south of the terminal, Stevenson said.
BDSHARP@DemocratandChronicle.com
pri
Brian Sharp
Staff writer
www.democratandchronicle.com/
(February 21, 2006) — A small boutique hotel and an inlet behind Ontario Beach Park for a new marina are among proposals that will be presented Thursday for the Port of Rochester.
Planning consultant Sasaki Associates Inc. of Watertown, Mass., will be in town to unveil three concept proposals for the city-owned, 30-acre Charlotte development site, now mostly a parking lot. Options show parking garages supporting street-level shops and mid- to upper-end condominiums.
Sasaki officials met with city staffers last week to preview the scenarios.
"Some scenarios had green space, open space, others had a small boutique hotel," City Councilman Robert Stevenson said.
One marina option would cut a new waterway behind Ontario Beach Park from the Genesee River nearly to Lake Avenue. "Studies show there is a very definite market for more marina space around here," Stevenson said. "Basically, as you build it they will come. My biggest question is 'How the heck do you keep (the inlet marina) flushed out?'"
This week's presentation comes after 20 years of discussion about what to do with the port area. The city hired Sasaki Associates last fall to design an urban village and year-round tourist destination. The target area surrounds the ferry terminal and is bordered roughly by Lake Avenue, Ontario Beach Park, the CSX rail line and the Genesee River. Mayor Robert Duffy, going against staff advice, has asked Sasaki to include the terminal in its planning.
Stevenson said all scenarios emphasized residential development filling the upper floors of what could be six new buildings. Wide streets — including a new north-south road — would allow curbside parking, officials said. And all scenarios included a marina for boats at least 20 to 40 feet long. Sasaki also suggested building two parking garages dug into the sloping landscape and rising as much as three levels, officials said.
The goal, Stevenson said, is to achieve intensive development without disrupting views of the water. Julio Vazquez, the city's commissioner of community development, said the designs would tie in with the lighthouse.
Kurt Ritchie owns Scuttlebutt's, 431 River St., and had the catering and gift shop contract on the high-speed ferry.
"I've been here 15 years," Ritchie said, explaining that he opened in Charlotte expecting the redevelopment to take root years ago.
"I would love to see the village-type atmosphere where people are walking, shopping. I don't think one major attraction is going to make it. I think it needs to be a lot of small attractions."
Stevenson said the current street alignment would remain, with the acreage divided into eight plots. Housing would cater to empty nesters and be oriented to the lake. At least one scenario called for intense housing development on the riverfront immediately south of the terminal, Stevenson said.
BDSHARP@DemocratandChronicle.com
pri