PFABBS Meets with Mayor William Johnson and Voices Concerns with Renaissance Square Projec

Meeting with the Mayor, Feb 17, 2004

People for a Better Bus Station met with Mayor William Johnson on February 17th in what was felt was a productive meeting, though stating that he was neither “friend nor enemy”. Johnson told us that he has “been kept abreast of our groups’concerns.” He realized that we had seen the letter from his office about the EIS, he had a lot of questions himself. He has been feeling rather conflicted about the project.

The Mayor's Assistant, Rick Hanna, Mayor Bill Johnson, and members of PFABBS attended the Feb 17th meeting at Rochester City Hall.

Mayor Johnson told us that he has “been kept abreast of our groups’concerns.” He realized that we had seen the letter from his office about the EIS, he had a lot of questions himself. He has been feeling rather conflicted about the project.

He told the group that the RGRTA, as begetting power from the state, has the right under the law as to eminent domain.
He referred to the “armwrestle” regarding the project and thought that there were more favorable locations. He questioned the “relevance of the project”.

Johnson conceded to RGRTA’S “aggressive” posture, and mentioned that this has been in the works with them for the past 5-6 years.
He referred to Bill Nojay’s “Take no Prisoners” approach.

The mayor spoke of alternate locations, mentioning Louise’s intermodal station plan.
He said that people have expressed concern over the best use of land and cost. He spoke of the “Underground compromise”…
Johnson said that the Renaissance Square project caught them all off guard. He was doubtful about the money coming about for a project where there was that much bedrock underground where they need to go.

He spoke of his support of the Tech Center. He had made his approval conditional upon Damon Center.

He spoke about the owners of the Sibley Building “owing us a portion of money that has to be repaid to the federal government”.
He saw Damon Center and Sibley as stabilizing and leverage in the future of community downtown development.The mayor didn’t see a lot coming along without subsidy from the city.
He spoke of the department store that they were negotiating with and how initially they were happy with the free parking downtown (Midtown, etc.) but the store was getting the site for practically nothing through subsidies and they wanted to open a store at Eastview, not being able to then promise keeping the downtown site (and thus defeating the purpose of putting a retail base in downtown). The mayor ceased negotiations with the company, whereas all RGRTA asked for was development rights (their subsidy, in retrospect would be Mortimer Street).

In speaking of one plan that is no more, the mayor spoke of a plan where the buses would cue up at that wedge “where the taxis park now” across from Chestnut and Broad where buses would have to come across from Chestnut and Broad.” This plan Nojay shut down. “I don’t want to get into Bill Nojay.”
He mentioned that the EI mentions busses going across the river having to get immediately into the left lane and he says “he can’t see what type of traffic system they could come up with.”

He said that we are all operating on assumption that the project was designed and stated that, in fact, this project “has yet to be designed”.
The mayor also mentioned whether the UDC should be involved. He wants to see community design involved, not promising that our group can get around the table persay to actually design the thing (as we are not architects is the inference).

Brought up the Liveable Communities Initiative, and said that with the reorganization of T21, “I really don’t see that pathway being taken”.

Remarked as to location, that “if we move one inch, we start all over.” Didn’t seem to see location as changing much but stated that with a second EIS a possibility, etc that people will get a second bite of that apple (community input).

He mentioned “sensible development” , and having issues there
Questioned whether the cost of this project was too unrealistic,he questioned whether they are “raising people’s expectations too high.”
Johnson tated that “One thing that gives me comfort is that the two most devious players are out…Doyle and Bill Nojay”.
“Can’t describe it, how the project seems to be unfolding and unraveling…”

The Sibley Plan

The Mayor says the Sibley plan is too easily missed, and much cheaper.
He feels that with the technology we have (we can divert busses and call ahead to announce busses on their way). It creates activity in that building, and the owner is the only “knock” to the project as he is a leading Democratic contributor.Prior to the GTC money, they had 70 million. He reiterated that the GTC money could be reprogrammed, but now there is no other huge pot left. He also spoke of cheaper, more practical alternatives.
Johnson spoke of the two plans that were considered, this one and the old plan of AIA/SECTOR 5 model at the old IBM site

When asked what the time pressure was in getting this off and running, the mayor responded that this was an election year and that “the spigots are turned on in Albany” even though they don’t have it.

He mentioned that although the transportation has gone through the Senate, the House is more conservative and wants this money for highway projects.. The president is avoiding discussion of this till after the presidential election, Johnson says.

He reiterated the argument that “if we don’t take it the money will dry up, and we won’t get our share.”

Johnson remarked that contrary to what we all said that there are people excited about the project. “People are very very happy to see” Brooks and Johnson (county and city government) “working together”.

He said that as a community we should “start fresh”.

Mentioned the East Main Street Alliance and their notion that McCrory’s east should/could be utilized and cleaned up for business at the first floor level. When I (Sarah) asked for clarification on this as far as if this was out of the cards, he responded that this group “was not going away”, so it’s still on the table, I am assuming, in some capacity. He says they speak of dividing that larger (McCrory) store , cutting it up and perhaps a market in there or something.

Spoke of the two end buildings the county acquired from Max Farash, the atrium and the gateway, as definitely coming out.Owners of the buildings cannot rent many of these buildings out, the mayor says, and are asking for acquisition.He said that if we were to have demolition and a fence left around it that we as a community should be outraged.

When asked about demolition proceedings and permits and if the public would be forewarned prior to a demolition, the response was yes. Also his assistant, Rick Hanna said that SHIPO was a lengthy process.
Mr. Hanna spoke of the possibility of county override with mention of the two buildings and citing the zoo situation (the county ultimately won, city is appealing in court).

“Whether it suits your fancy or not they ( RGRTA) believes that” concerns etc have been satisfied by implementing this complex project.

Mentioned that RGRTA etc are groups that do not feel comfortable meeting with groups like ours as “the city does this sort of thing all the time.”

Made mention of the fact that the two governments collaborating in a partnership could ultimately viewed as an uneven partnership as “not a penny of city money” is going into this. He also questions, at the same time whether city will have to subsidize funds to run the place.

Won’t sign on till public input is in including sector 5 people are involved. Mayor also isn’t too happy at the thought of these properties going off the tax roles.

What the mayor wants: To see an “immediate putting together of a design team to determine costWhen asked if the rumoured groundbreaking of 2 months said by Brooks was accurate, Johnson replied “highly improbable”.
He saw the planners as ant colony: “they haven’t come up for air yet.”
Stated once again, “No design has occurred yet.”

Johnson said that to move dates of a community project (case in point, fast ferry) creates cynicism in a community. He wants to “slow up, create public processes here.” His is a “rock solid commitment”…toward designing it, with key members of the community (mentioning the possibility of local progressive smart planners and architects) involved in design

Over and over again, the mayor, like everyone else, the mayor did reiterate…..“Not my project”…