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They need the parking for the new visitors center and a proposed brew pub. From the 2nd floor of the brew pub the view would be nice.
This definitely smacks of "if nobody had made any noise about it, nobody would have cared". Let's see a show of hands from people here who had any clue this run down building existed, say, 3 months ago.
Genesee appears to be doing well, why enable the government and busybody types to try and block their success?
I fully support Genesee's plans. I would love to see the brew pup there and I would certainly check it out.
Leaving an old, run down building there to sit and waste away is not progress.
I hear you - but you should look at the facts because I think you'd be surprised.
Genny got two offers to buy the "old building" in 2011. One was for $100,000 and the other was for $275,000. Both offers were from respectable developers who had plans to turn the "old building" into living quarters. Both offers were turned-down.
Now - it is going to cost Genny $600,000 to demolish the building due to the lead paint and asbestos. The developers were going to take this liability on themselves.
I simply don't get it. You'd get your pub either way. But wouldn't you rather keep an historic building and have a shot at residential / further development of an area that desperately needs it? (All with private money folks)
On one hand, I think this new brew pub should be built in the brewery building instead of the smaller one they want to use because lets face it, the brewery is infinitely cooler than the other building, and it's taller so you can design it to provide even better views from a visitor center. It would make a vastly superior establishment over some lame 2 story brick building with no character.
On the other hand, it might cost close to a million to renovate and make safe again, and with our economic climate, it might be really, really, really hard to make that kind of money back within a reasonable period of time. However since it appears someone wanted to take the project on, I too am kind of confused why Genny didn't take the money and run. Unless they were to keep some sort of stake in the project?
So from a consumer/Rochesterian view, it's a no-brainer because it's not our money at stake and we just want to see a piece of history brought back to life. From a business standpoint, it's probably a really tough call when looking at the hard numbers on a spreadsheet and trying to determine if you can actually spin a profit off of such a mammoth project.
Interesting piece. One can sense the NAB's angle -- the buildings were 'abandoned' and they will further suggest that the structures are in disrepair, and that repairing/retro-fitting woud be cost prohibitive, so the only fiscally sound thing to do would be to raze them.
Meanwhile in a town situated a few away from where I have a vacation home, the old Fellows Gear Shaper factory building (ca 1896) has been undergoing a repurposing and rehab.
One tenant anticipating moving in will be a family medical practice.
Given the beautiful view afforded from Cataract St as well as the building's design, why not make it into an inn, apartments, mixed use? I haven't been to Rochester for a very long time, but if I find myself in your direction, I have every intention of checking out the old brewery.
They need the parking for the new visitors center and a proposed brew pub. From the 2nd floor of the brew pub the view would be nice.
This definitely smacks of "if nobody had made any noise about it, nobody would have cared". Let's see a show of hands from people here who had any clue this run down building existed, say, 3 months ago.
Genesee appears to be doing well, why enable the government and busybody types to try and block their success?
Quote:
Originally Posted by colton821
I fully support Genesee's plans. I would love to see the brew pup there and I would certainly check it out.
Leaving an old, run down building there to sit and waste away is not progress.
I too agree with the Genesee brewery's plan to put some relevance back into downtown Rochester. It just makes sense that the hometown brewery, and the most well known one from Rochester, gets its own place to showcase its history and beers. Can't wait to visit!
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