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You can watch a Video of the meeting here: https://youtu.be/OMaBTil0Ih8

SouthWest Common Council Minutes - 7/20/17

SWCC Meetings are held every 3rd Thursday, 6-7:30 p.m. @ Phillis Wheatley Library

This special meeting was at the restaurant site 1500 S Plymouth Ave.

The SWCC represents leaders, community residents and stakeholders who meet to contribute to the vision and planning for the SouthWest Quadrant. SW Common Council - the place to come for grassroots community input - THE DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN!

NEXT MEETING: August 26, 2017

In Attendance: Landy Atkinson (19th Ward Resident), John Boutet (LocationSW & SW Education), Chris Buitrago (19th Ward Community Association), Eleanor Coleman (ProsperRochester/OACES), MaryDan Cooper (19th Ward Resident), Robert Cooper (19th Ward Resident), John Curran (Rapid Cemetery Restoration), Mary D’Allessandro (So. Plymouth Business Assn), Daniel DeMarle (19th Ward Resident)), Joanne DeMarle (19th Ward Resident), Elizabeth Doucette (Cottage Street Block Club), John Laing (19th Ward Community Association), Mary Larkin (19th Ward Resident), Colleen McCarthy (UR), Bonny Mayer (Corn Hill), Dana Miller (19th Ward, City Council), Bill Nichthauser (19th Ward Volunteer), Greg Norsen (So. Plymouth Ave Bus Assn), Harlan Ost (19th Ward Community Association), Josanne Reaves (Leadership Rochester), Lynnette Robinson (COTS, SWCC Co-Chair), Jay Ross (19th Ward), Donna Sarnacki (19th Ward Community Assn), Deb Wight (19th Ward Resident)

SPECIAL MEETING: STATUS OF VACANT BROOKS LANDING RESTAURANT

(Held at restaurant site - 1500 S Plymouth Ave.)

Background from posted meeting invitation:

“In 2013, the City approved a re-subdivision for the Flats LLC to build a student housing tower / restaurant building, and a declaration of covenants and restrictions between the City and Flats LLC was recorded. The Flats (Ron Chistenson, Developer) agreed to use best efforts to lease space for a restaurant with public access. That space was reserved but not finished. The declaration of covenants outlined a process that was to be used if the Flats requested permission for an alternate use. The process includes a public hearing and written approval of City Commissioner of Neighborhood and Business Development.

This is not the "public hearing" that is required to alter the covenant to permit an alternate use. This is a meeting of the SWCC to which all interested members of the public are invited to study the state of affairs and consider all the options that should be considered to meet the desires and needs of the community in a practical way. Whatever proposals, if any, that come out of this meeting will need to to be evaluated and fleshed out with all the parties who would be involved, before being ready to be considered at a public hearing.”

Josanne Reaves made available a timeline Brooks - Genesee Timeline rev 7-13-2017.pdf that starts in 1983 and ends in 2017 highlighting the beginnings of development for Brooks/Genesee until now when the community is being called together to discuss the possibility of alternative uses for the restaurant space that has been empty for 3 years. John Boutet introduced Ron Christenson (RC), Owner of restaurant space at Brooks Landing.

History:

• Came up with original restaurant design in 2000; community wanted a destination restaurant (not the 14th Applebee’s); goal was to create jobs and traffic.

• Originally planned as a one-story restaurant; could not financially justify the cost of a one story structure because of costly foundation requirement and returned for community approval to add additional floors for student housing.

• Neighbors asked for stairway out front that would serve as an amphitheater, including a circular grassy area; this required City allowance, which was received.

• City has not been successful in programming for that space.

• Developer unable to give us a list of the restauranteurs who have been solicited; RC has worked with 3 leasing agencies and delivered hundreds of flyers

Currently:

• $10 per square foot for the 5,000 sq feet (lower than market value); additional outdoor, riverfront sq. footage available.

• Substantial ventilation system required ($1.6 million for the system; $2 million realistically for total renovations).

• QUESTION: Why wasn’t ventilation system done originally. ANSWER: Every restaurant is different; ventilation design for one restaurant might not be adequate for another.

PREVIOUS DEVELOPMENT in 2017: RC had an exploratory conversation with the UR about using the space as a cultural center, an international services and local engagement office. Before the space can be considered for alternative use, the community must hold a public hearing and agree to renegotiate the original contract allowing the space to be used as anything other than a restaurant. The UR has stepped away from any connection to the restaurant space and the cultural center is no longer an option. The UR will await the community’s direction.

Community Discussion, Feedback & Responses:

• Dan DeMarle - This is a commercial restaurant; full kitchen build-out leaves out option for small mom/pop restaurant; RC noted that this space was not designed for mom/pop restaurants.

• Ron Christenson - the key is the existing market; you can make it a restaurant or not, but is it sustainable?

• Colleen McCarthy: Why are people not interested in this space? People feel there is not a market here. We have had 5 restaurants across the street - 2 have already failed; current restaurants (except Subway) are struggling. Of the current customer base, 80% of the patrons are UR students and faculty. That means that neighbors only account for 20% of the patrons of the existing restaurants.

• Landy Atkinson - How much parking is available for this space? All parking space around the restaurant space is for the restaurant; student parking is across the street behind Plymouth Gardens.

• Mary Larkin - Students are parking here; RC noted that parking is probably not being enforced at this time because the restaurant is empty.

• Mary D’Allessandro - It takes 5 years for a business to start making money - we need to take that into consideration; the extra floor variance afforded to RC to support the restaurant should come back to the community.

• Colleen McCarthy - Ron has made a lot of financial concessions to make his properties marketable and to work with the community. The $10/sq ft is lower than market value.

• Ron Christenson - I lose money every year on this building; $8 million investment - there will be little return no matter what.

• Greg Norsen - Slice it up into 3 sections to support smaller businesses.

• Ron Christenson - Fast food is successful - is that what you want? Credit Union may still be an option. Again, will the neighborhood support whatever is brought here?

• Josanne Reaves - Speaking from the aspect of having purchased the coffee shop (Breu) to keep it community-based; a lot of work has gone into identifying a restauranteur; originally were looking for something like the Distillery, a sports bar, etc. Unable to attract anyone. The Wok loses money; Breu loses money consistently; even though people asked for a coffee shop, it is not supported; College Town had an entire business team affiliated with it yet four to five of the businesses have closed. Can this be a banquet hall run by UR and open to the community?

• Dan DeMarle - Arnett Pop-up Day was very successful in envisioning possibilities for Arnett; could we do a pop-up event for the restaurant; do something in the amphitheater. City could invite prospective developers; see a crowd.

• Bonny Mayer - Only successful restaurant in Corn Hill is Penzari’s, affordable and designed for a small community; the rest of the businesses and come in and gone out - it is very difficult to fill small spaces even though we are downtown and host a successful festival - we still can’t keep a restaurant. Only restaurant that has proven to be successful is Rooney’s off Winton.

• Lynnette Robinson - After school season, the UR students leave; don’t want a box restaurant. How do we honor the original contract? Is it still viable? We need to talk about something new. What are your suggestions for a successful economic and social business. When this space was designed, there was community art that was supposed to be included; people should know when they are coming upon this space that they are dealing with the SW; are the art $$’s still available; we need a substantial piece of art on corner of Genesee & Brooks; we need to get our neighbors to use the amphitheater. We can’t keep asking for things and walk away - need to use it.

• Elizabeth Doucette - what are the parameters for the restaurant? Suggestion: The Shop Between the Genesees - a consignment shop run as a partnership between the UR’s Business School & community; use internships; UR could provide the seed money to come up with equipment, displays, accounting, etc.; organizations within the SW would work in partnership; use the SW Rotary. Use E-Bay via the shop. Amphitheater for a fashion show. This could be a pilot program for UR and SW.

• Colleen Mccarthy - As Director of Local Government and Community Relationships, want to make it clear that we do not have a plan or any designs for this space; UR is not looking to come into this space; UR directed RC to community to them know of the challenges and ask for possible alternatives. UR does not want to take over the space - UR wants the space to be successful for the area’s development and the community at-large. UR does not own one property on Genesee; however, we do make this development feasible by filling the existing spaces. UR leasing dollars support the existing development. I’m a resource; I’m here to help in many ways (volunteer, financial, etc). Contact me at 273-5955; colleen_mccarthy@urmc.rochester.edu.

• Dan DeMarle - this would be a great base for small rochester foot races. Bring in the Westside Farmers Market as a winter space. Classroom space for understanding the river, river ecology, etc.

• Colleen McCarthy - Ideas are plenty and very positive, but what is the reality of use for this space?

• Ron Christenson - haven’t done a lot of alternative research because we were contractually bound to a restaurant. Listen to UR ideas, they are a good partner. Possibilities: expanding the buffet center at the hotel; make this an event center. The Cultural Center would have served 3300 students, 135 companies, 40 staff; we would have had customers on this side of river everyday.

• Joanne Demarle - having been involved with master planning with Monroe County Parks, aware that the County was also looking to provide a place to rent for parties.

• Mary D’Allessandro - in the spirit of the Cultural Center - what about a restaurant that offers foods from all different cultures.

• John Boutet - What about a culinary training center? NOTE: Restaurant operated by East High School at Village Gate closed within a year. Could we find a way to have a teaching restaurant; offer different food choices? RIT has an entire culinary program.

• Josanne Reaves - East High restaurant failed; what would we do different. Are we ready to negotiate with UR?

• Dan DeMarle - What about a community fitness center?

• John Curran - Character of neighborhood has changed over the last 10 years; character of this building has changed; put a tutoring center in it; create a multi-purpose environment that builds on the UR academic strengths and community collaboration.

• Josanne Reaves - Who will pay for it?

• Colleen McCarthy - UR already brings a lot of resources into the community remotely.

• Mary Larkin - need to figure out a way around this problem; how do we open up the opportunities?

• John Laing - MCC or RIT vs UR would be a better fit for culinary.

• Ron Christenson - losing money every year; in addition, real estate taxes increasing next year.

Next Step Suggestion: Have an “event” here to publicize the space. Invite people who own the businesses in this area; network & brainstorm possibilities.

• Deb White - Can’t do anything until the “restaurant only” covenant is removed.

• Colleen McCarthy - Community needs to get on the same page about what we want on this space; SW is disjointed; while we are doing great work in the neighborhoods, we are not coming from a unified place which is necessary to move forward. (A lot of conflict has taken place in the community prior to this meeting. Some of the responses and emails received were unkind/hostile.)

• John Boutet - Can places like WFM come in here and not pay but advertise the space.

• Ron Christenson - Nice idea but we need the people who make decisions to come in here. Restaurant Only contractual obligation severely limits who would come in to explore using this space.

• Dana Miller - As a neighborhood resident, an elected official, Chair of the City’s Business & Economic Development Committee, it’s my job to develop, recruit and sustain businesses citywide. Although I’m city-wide, I have an affinity for the SW; continually asked by people why we can’t have “x” - why don’t we have a drive-through ATM, fast food, what other neighborhoods have, etc.. South Ave is doing well; Thurston Rd is struggling. 19th Ward is the most populated neighborhood in the whole city; SW has one quarter of the city’s population yet we’re a food desert. When we work hard, we are able to produce results. For example, a grocery store in the neighborhood (TOPS on West Ave); yet - people drive right by. It has been stated that 80% of Brue business is not people who live in the neighborhood. We have neighborhood businesses that people are not supporting: Breu, WFM, TOPS, D&L, The Wok, etc.). Please share WHY existing businesses are not supported; important for me to know in order to move toward solution. Number of people we have does not support the lack of business. Business is great when students are hear, but it’s hard to sustain. We don’t generate enough business. What are we willing to do; how are we willing to act differently? South and Park Ave patronize their businesses. Breu hired a group of Simon School students to help understand business deficit; worked with Cam Schauf (UR Dining Services). Dollar Tree failed next to TOPS. We have to figure out how to generate and sustain businesses in our own neighborhood.

• Mary D’Allessandro - Our neighborhood (So. Plymouth/PLEX) has a consistent negative focus. Constant negativity expressed by existing recognized neighborhood association has been destructive and alienating.

• Bill Nichthauser - there is a fear of gentrification; Dana working on legislation to avoid gentrification; Corn Hill was bull dozed -that’s not happening in PLEX neighborhood.

• Agreed that we should follow up with Dan’s idea to have a pop-up event.

Contact Information

Co-Chairs:

• Lynnette Robinson, lynnrob10@hotmail.com, (585) 953-0415

• John Boutet, jboutet@frontiernet.net, (585) 328-4271

• Scribe Services: ProsperRochester, Inc. - Eleanor Coleman, eleanor.coleman@gmail.com, (585) 224-5119

Respectfully Submitted,

Eleanor

Eleanor Coleman