Mayor Robert J. Duffy today unveiled the City’s official request for Federal Economic Recovery funding, reflecting Rochester’s participation in the federal proposal to revive the economy by creating jobs through investments in the nation’s infrastructure and environmental sustainability.

“This request will rejuvenate the Rochester economy by creating meaningful jobs,” Mayor Duffy said. “It represents a down payment on our city’s future by accelerating the pace of some of our most significant priorities, which will bring long-term improvements to our quality of life and save money by cutting energy expenses.”

The request, which has been submitted to Governor David Paterson, Congresswoman Louise Slaughter and Senators Charles Schumer and Hillary Clinton, seeks nearly $51 million and would directly or indirectly create or induce as many as 2,000 jobs before the end of next year. It would fund a wide range of capital improvement projects specifically identified as “ready to go” before the end of the 2009 construction season.

Projects that impact the 19th Ward are:

2009 Hazardous Sidewalk Replacement Program

Description: Double the scope of the City’s currently-programmed Hazardous Sidewalk Replacement Program for 2009 to repair or replace significantly more hazardous sidewalks on federal-aid streets to improve mobility and overall quality of life in the city.

Timeframe: Construction work can commence in spring 2009.

Stimulus Request: $2,000,000

Near-Term Economic Benefit: Using accepted metrics for job creation through transportation investment, this project will directly create 10 jobs, indirectly create 22 jobs, and induce an additional 17 jobs.

Genesee Riverway Trail Rehabilitation

Description: Rehabilitate the heavily-used southern segment of the Genesee Riverway Trail, a multi-use trail along both sides of the Genesee River, between Ford Street and the Erie Canal.

Timeframe: Construction work can commence in Summer 2009

Stimulus Request: $2,000,000

Near-Term Economic Benefit: Using accepted metrics for job creation through transportation investment, this project will directly create 10 jobs, indirectly create 22 jobs, and induce an additional 17 jobs.


Brooks Avenue Reconstruction

Description: Reconstruct Brooks Avenue between Genesee Park Boulevard and the Erie Canal/West City Line to address traffic safety and efficiency, improve the pedestrian environment, and create an attractive gateway from the western suburbs.

Timeframe: Construction work can commence in Spring 2009

Stimulus Request: $1,775,000; Total Project Cost: $1,775,000

Near-Term Economic Benefit: Using accepted metrics for job creation through transportation investment, this project will directly create 9 jobs, indirectly create 20 jobs, and induce an additional 15 jobs.

Mercury Vapor Streetlight Replacement Project

Description: Replace existing inefficient mercury vapor street lights with more efficient high pressure sodium and/or LED lighting systems to increase lighting (from .5 lumens to ~1 lumen) and decrease energy usage.

Timeframe: Construction work can begin in Spring 2009

Stimulus Request: $1,100,000

Near-Term Economic Benefit: This project is expected to result in an annual energy cost savings for the City of Rochester of roughly $112,200. The project will result in roughly 4 new jobs created.

Jefferson Avenue Revitalization (not 19th Ward, but affects us)
Description: Design and construction of enhancements to Jefferson Avenue in the City’s southwest quadrant, including new sidewalks, crosswalks, lighting, curb modifications, and streetscape improvements. This is a priority community economic development project intended to improve public safety and revitalize the neighborhood.

Timeframe: Design work can commence spring 2009. Construction work can commence spring 2010.

Stimulus Request: $2,500,000; Total Project Cost: $2,500,000

Near-Term Economic Benefit: Using accepted metrics for job creation through transportation investment, this project will directly create 12 jobs, indirectly create 27 jobs, and induce an additional 21 jobs.. The goal of this project is to attract additional private investment and job creation.