What's Happening in Rochester, NY…

The Local Waterfront Revitalization Program is being proposed in Henrietta that would celebrate the Erie Canal.

This project will include a boat launch, a community gathering space and a recreational and commercial area with shops that will be accessible from the Erie Canal, the Erie Canalway Trail, and surrounding neighborhoods. The recreational and commercial area, to be known as the Canalside Park and Towpath Village will have a park with an amphitheater, a public plaza, restrooms, rentable pavilions, and nature trails. There will be a pier along the Erie Canalway Trial that will enable boaters to dock and enjoy these amenities.

Steve Schultz, Town Supervisor, said there would be no cost to residents of Henrietta for this project as is applying for funding through the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program. He said that a grant has been obtained and there are other in-kind donations. Flyer printing is often used to provide more details about such projects and their funding.

A major partner with this project is the Louis Wolk Jewish Community Center (JCC) in Brighton. Josh Weinstein of the JCC said that they plan to create a community campus on the canal on their property as it sits on the town line between Brighton and Henrietta.

It is expected that it will take about five years to complete the entire project with the boat launch to be finished first in about one to two years.