Oversight Committee for Renaissance Center should have citizen representative

"Harry Davis volunteers for seat on Renaissance Square Oversight Committee"

As a citizen of Rochester/>, I have studied the plans and attended meetings of a citizens group concerning the proposed underground bus terminal/college/arts center in
Rochester/>/>.

            Upon hearing that the County Legislature Democrats called a hearing to solicit the public’s views, I felt skeptical but remained receptive to hearing all sides. However, I am convinced that this hugely-expensive yet murky concept, including its environmental impact and the long term disablement of downtown
Rochester/>/> are so consequential that I must take a more active role.

            It is incumbent upon citizens to challenge the authorities and supporters of expensive and far-reaching projects. It is the duty of the mass media to thoroughly ventilate the cost and consequences of every project that entail such public expenditures.

            The cost of the Renaissance Square is at least $230 million but who can trust initial estimates or timelines of any public project? Why must this single-mode facility be built underground, immensely multiplying the costs? The planners are also proposing an arts center above the busses. Where will the bus fumes go?

            How long will construction take, disrupting a downtown that is already on life-support? There is no reason why the bus terminal should be developed underground. An inter-modal facility at another location would be preferable.

            The question is:  will authorities take into consideration the critiques of all the governmental and non-governmental groups, including citizens’ groups, which are opposed to this patently political and anti-environmental project?

            Rochester City Councilman Tim Mains recently spoke for a preponderance of grassroots opponents in characterizing the project as “a stupid idea.”

            Coupled with New York State Comptroller Alan Hevesi’s challenges to state funding, added to opposition of a local public interest citizens’ committee, plus deep, consequential environmental and traffic challenges,  this project is left… both metaphorically and actually… “just a hole in the ground”.

            This plan will use Federal Transportation Act (TEA-21) money which includes specific provisions such as efforts at improved traffic flow and air quality.
Rochester/>/> must have a better bus system that will reduce sprawl and encourage its citizens to actually use public transportation. I am concerned about the oversight of the proper spending of the TEA-21 money.

            I am skeptical toward the composition of the supposedly objective oversight committee appointed by County Executive Brooks. It has no citizen representation. It is a conflict of interest to appoint Mark Aesch, the CEO of the RGRTA, the developer of the project, to this committee.

            A major redesign of our transit system is in order. The age of cheap oil is ending. Economically competitive cities will be those that reduce automobile dependency. A downtown station can play a role in that redesign, but it has to be done in such a way that helps increase the efficiency and attractiveness of the transit system and our city rather than reducing it.

            This month I will meet with a member the oversight committee. I will urge the committee to consider citizen input to this committee. I will volunteer to be a representative of all of the citizens of
Rochester/>/>. Determined to be independent as well as non-partisan, I fully expect to make environmentally-friendly and non-partisan decisions and to keep the public, which will ultimately pay, informed of these decisions.