Gov. Hochul Outlines $172.5M in New State Funding for Projects in Finger Lakes Region
March 7, 2022
Projects Would be Funded by Governor’s $216 Billion Budget Proposal Awaiting Approval by the New York State Legislature
Some Investments Target Projects in High Falls Areas Surrounding MCC’s Downtown Campus, Including Frontier Field Improvements
Governor Hochul announces $150 million in proposed funding that would expand access for part-time students to the Tuition Assistance Program.
ROCHESTER, NY — Governor Kathy Hochul today outlined $172.5 million in new state investment for several transformative projects in the Finger Lakes region be funded by her $216 billion FY2023 budget proposal. The Governor will commit $100 million from the New York State Department of Transportation’s five-year capital plan toward the Inner Loop North project to complete the infill of the sunken highway that has cut off downtown Rochester from its surrounding neighborhoods. An additional $42.5 million would be used to finish implementing visitor experience enhancements at the Monroe County’s Seneca Park Zoo. And an additional $10 million for a total of $12.5 million from the State would be used to support needed upgrades to Frontier Field in Rochester, home to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings, to ensure the stadium will meet required Major League Baseball standards. The Governor outlined her vision today at an event held at Monroe Community College’s Downtown Campus in Rochester.
“My administration is laser focused on supporting economic development initiatives that will reinforce our efforts to create a new era of prosperity for all New Yorkers as we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Governor Hochul said. “It’s time for a better, fairer, and more inclusive version of the American Dream — the New York dream. Our focused investments in these transformative projects in the Finger Lakes will serve to promote greater inclusivity for everyone in the community, further bolster regional tourism efforts and improve the overall quality of life for generations to come.”
Business leaders and MCC representatives are among the guests at the governor’s announcement on the Downtown Campus.
Monroe Community College President Dr. DeAnna R. Burt-Nanna said, “We are grateful for the governor’s vision and commitment to enhancing the quality of life for Rochesterians and creating more vibrant communities. The governor’s funding proposal for the revitalization of the High Falls areas surrounding Monroe Community College’s Downtown Campus complements our efforts with regional partners in building stronger communities in the city of Rochester and beyond and moving the local economy forward.”
The administration had previously announced $6 million in proposed funding to support the establishment of Rochester High Falls State Park within the historic Genesee River gorge in downtown Rochester. Today, Governor Hochul unveiled new concept plans and renderings for the park and launched the beginning of the public input phase to get feedback from community groups, stakeholders and other interested residents. The new park is part of the second phase of the “ROC The Riverway” initiative, which will unlock the potential of Rochester’s waterfront. Phase 2 also includes $2.5 million from the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council to restore the City of Rochester’s High Falls Visitor Center, as well as an additional $5 million for the Aqueduct Reimagined project, which was committed when Constellation Brands announced the move of its headquarters to downtown. The new Rochester Downtown Partnership management entity’s is also developing plans to reopen the Riverside Hotel. These efforts complement other significant investments made to revitalize downtown Rochester, including the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award to tackle the blighted Main & Clinton block.
Also outlined earlier as part of the Governor’s agenda is a further commitment to New York State sponsored business competitions which are focused on ensuring the industries of tomorrow thrive here. To that end, another $20 million has been committed to continue the successful, globally renowned Luminate NY optics, photonics and imaging competition. The accelerator brings visionary companies to the Finger Lakes Region to leverage the rich ecosystem of resources available to speed the commercialization of emerging industry technologies.
Video, audio, photos and transcript as well as the full news release are available on the governor’s website.